Brazil: Support Legislators Who Recognize Freedom to Love

11/05/2001

SUMMARY

On October 24, 2001 the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, passed a groundbreaking measure opposing discrimination. Law 694/88 adds sexual orientation as a protected status to the existing protections against discrimination. It also includes a specific provision stating that two people of the same sex have the right to show affection in public without being subjected to harassment or discrimination.

Please congratulate legislators in Minas Gerais for passing this progressive legislation.

Below you will find a call to action, a model letter and background information.

ACTION

IGLHRC calls for letters congratulating the Minas Gerais Parliament for passing this legislation. Letters will also help in the next hurdles the bill must pass before becoming law (See Background).

Attached are email addresses of all members of the Minas Gerais Parliament. Please send a copy of your letter to

Movimento Gay de Minas: phelp2000@ig.com.br

Please write to the following members of Parliament (note you can copy and paste them all at once).

See below for an explanation of the party acronyms.

Anderson Adauto (PL): dep.anderson.adauto@almg.gov.br
Antônio Andrade (PMDB): dep.antonio.andrade@almg.gov.br
Antônio Carlos Andrada (PSDB): dep.antonio.carlos.andrada@almg.gov.br
Antônio Genaro (PSD): dep.antonio.genaro@almg.gov.br
Antônio Júlio (PMDB): dep.antonio.julio@almg.gov.br
Arlen Santiago (PTB): dep.arlen.santiago@almg.gov.br
Bené Guedes (PDT): dep.bene.guedes@almg.gov.br
Bilac Pinto (PFL): dep.bilac.pinto@almg.gov.br
Cabo Morais (PL): dep.cabo.morais@almg.gov.br
Carlos Pimenta (PDT): dep.carlos.pimenta@almg.gov.br
Chico Rafael (PMDB): dep.chico.rafael@almg.gov.br
Cristiano Canêdo (PTB): dep.cristiano.canedo@almg.gov.br
Dalmo Ribeiro Silva (PPB): dep.dalmo.ribeiro.silva@almg.gov.br
Dilzon Melo (PTB): dep.dilzon.melo@almg.gov.br
Dimas Rodrigues (PMDB): dep.dimas.rodrigues@almg.gov.br
Dinis Pinheiro (PL): dep.dinis.pinheiro@almg.gov.br
Djalma Diniz (PSDB): dep.djalma.diniz@almg.gov.br
Doutor Viana (PMDB): dep.doutor.viana@almg.gov.br
Durval Angelo (PT): dep.durval.angelo@almg.gov.br
Edson Rezende (PT): dep.edson.rezende@almg.gov.br
Eduardo Brandão (PL): dep.eduardo.brandao@almg.gov.br
Eduardo Hermeto (PFL): dep.eduardo.hermeto@almg.gov.br
Elaine Matozinhos (PSB): dep.elaine.matozinhos@almg.gov.br
Elbe Brandão (PSDB): dep.elbe.brandao@almg.gov.br
Ermano Batista (PSDB): dep.ermano.batista@almg.gov.br
Fábio Avelar (PTB): dep.fabio.avelar@almg.gov.br
Geraldo Rezende (PMDB): dep.geraldo.rezende@almg.gov.br
Gil Pereira (PPB): dep.gil.pereira@almg.gov.br
Hely Tarqüinio (PSDB): dep.hely.tarquinio@almg.gov.br
Irani Barbosa (PSD): dep.irani.barbosa@almg.gov.br
Ivair Nogueira (PMDB): dep.ivair.nogueira@almg.gov.br
Ivo José (PT): dep.ivo.jose@almg.gov.br
João Batista de Oliveira (PDT): dep.joao.batista.oliveira@almg.gov.br
João Paulo (PL): dep.joao.paulo@almg.gov.br
João Pinto Ribeiro (PTB): dep.joao.pinto.ribeiro@almg.gov.br
Jorge Eduardo de Oliveira (PMDB): dep.jorge.eduardo.oliveira@almg.gov.br
José Braga (PMDB): dep.jose.braga@almg.gov.br
José Henrique (PMDB): dep.jose.henrique@almg.gov.br
José Milton (PL): dep.jose.milton@almg.gov.br
Kemil Kumaira (PSDB): dep.kemil.kumaira@almg.gov.br
Luiz Fernando Faria (PPB): dep.luiz.fernando.faria@almg.gov.br
Luiz Menezes (PPS): dep.luiz.menezes@almg.gov.br
Luiz Tadeu Leite (PMDB): dep.luiz.tadeu.leite@almg.gov.br
Marcelo Gonçalves (PDT): dep.marcelo.goncalves@almg.gov.br
Márcio Cunha (PMDB): dep.marcio.cunha@almg.gov.br
Márcio Kangussu (PPS): dep.marcio.kangussu@almg.gov.br
Marco Régis (PL): dep.marco.regis@almg.gov.br
Maria José Haueisen (PT): dep.maria.jose.haueisen@almg.gov.br
Maria Olívia (PSDB): dep.maria.olivia@almg.gov.br
Mauri Torres (PSDB): dep.mauri.torres@almg.gov.br
Mauro Lobo (PSB): dep.mauro.lobo@almg.gov.br
Miguel Martini (PSB): dep.miguel.martini@almg.gov.br
Olinto Godinho (PTB): dep.olinto.godinho@almg.gov.br
Paulo Pettersen (PL): dep.paulo.pettersen@almg.gov.br
Paulo Piau (PFL): dep.paulo.piau@almg.gov.br
Pinduca Ferreira (PPB): dep.pinduca.ferreira@almg.gov.br
Rêmolo Aloise (PFL): dep.remolo.aloise@almg.gov.br
Rogério Correia (PT): dep.rogerio.correia@almg.gov.br
Sargento Rodrigues (PDT): dep.sargento.rodrigues@almg.gov.br
Sávio Souza Cruz (PMDB): dep.savio.souza.cruz@almg.gov.br
Sebastião Costa (PFL): dep.sebastiao.costa@almg.gov.br
Sebastião Navarro Vieira (PFL): dep.sebastiao.navarro.vieira@almg.gov.br
Wanderley Ávila (PPS): dep.wanderley.avila@almg.gov.br

Party Acronyms:

PDT: Partido Democratico Trabalhista (Democratic Workers Party)
PL: Partido Laborista (Labor Party)
PMDB: Partido do Movimento Democratico Brasileiro (Brazilian Democratic Movement Party)
PPB: Partido Popular Brasileiro (Brazilian People Party)
PPS: Partido Popular Socialista (Socialist People Party)
PSB: Partido Socialista Brasileiro (Brazilian Socialist Party)
PSDB: Partido Socialista Democratico Brasileiro (Brazilian Social Democratic Party)
PT: Partido do Trabalho (Workers Party)
PTB: Partido Trabalhista Brasileiro (Brazilian Workers Party)

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Mr./Ms.:

I/We would like to congratulate you for voting in favor of Law 694/99, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Law 694/99 is a ground-breaking measure that of which you and your colleagues should be proud. It integrates sexual orientation into existing protections against discrimination. Moreover, it affirms the right of same-sex couples to show affection in public, as heterosexual couples commonly do, and protects them from being harassed or discriminated against for doing so. It is in accord with contemporary understanding of the right to expression - a fundamental right protected by all international human rights standards. Expressing oneself, at the beginning of the 21st century, is not limited to the intellectual aspects of the personality, to ideas and beliefs. It also refers to the unique way each person constructs his or her self, including the expression of desire, love and gender identity. Protecting the fundamental right to expression, in this broader conception, contributes to affirming the values of diversity and true democracy.

Law 694/99 is also important because it creates a Referral Center to hear sexual orientation-based discrimination complaints. It thus moves to ensure full participation by sectors till now marginalized in public life.

Finally, the spirit and the text of Law 694/99 are consistent with the principle of non-discrimination which guides international human rights instruments ratified by Brazil, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which has been understood by the UN to include sexual orientation as a category protected against discrimination.

Sincerely,

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Law 694/99 prescribes penalties for business , public servants and members of the general public who discriminate against others on the grounds of their sexual orientation. The bill was drafted by MP João Batista de Oliveira (PDT meaning?). It specifically states that two people of the same sex having the right to show affection in public without being subjected to harassment or discrimination. Penalties include fines of from 1.000 to 50.000 reais; closure of the discriminating business or office (really?); and dismissal of public servants with the possibility of disqualification from holding further public office.

A special procedure of petition and redress has been created for couples who allege harassment by police officers for expressing their affection in public.

The bill will be voted on in a second session in about 10 days and then will have to be signed by Governor Itamar Franco. According to MP Batista de Oliveira and the local LGBT organization Movimento Gay de Minas, "It is very unlikely that any difficulties will arise."

MP Batista de Oliveira drew attention to the fact that police officers currently harass same-sex couples for showing affection in public and, more generally, engage in discriminatory behavior towards LBGT people. The new measure will compel an end to such behavior and will render them for discrimination or abuse. It will be incorporated into the training curriculum for new police officers. Law 694/99 also creates a Referral Center where LGBT people throughout the state of Minas Gerais can seek advice in the event of discrimination. It also seats a representative of LGBT communities on the state Human Rights Council, with an active voice in public policy decision-making.

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