"The struggle against discrimination based on sexual preference is a matter of human rights": an interview with Alejandra Sarda.

Alejandra Sarda is the coordinator of the Latin American and Caribbean Program of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC).

What is the importance of the Brazilian Proposal in the global context and specifically in Latin America and the Caribbean?

First of all, it is very important that a Latin American country made the proposal. For years, the Vatican/ Islamic Conference/U.S. discourse claimed that the topic of sexual rights was an eccentricity of rich countries, a frivolity that wasted time that should be spent on other, more important issues affecting poor countries. For Brazil to push for nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation radically changed the situation and made clear that discrimination and violence against Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are worldwide concerns and constitute a serious human rights problem, not a frivolity. Here again, Latin America has taken the initiative in matters of humanity. That is something of which we should be very proud.

With respect to the proposal, its passage would constitute the utmost accomplishment for many valiant individuals of different sexual preferences and gender identities who for decades have been dedicated to an international effort promoting the recognition of this topic as an important human rights issue. The Resolution would be a forceful tool that could be used in various countries to advance nondiscriminatory Laws and practices.

Do the recent legal advances prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in Uruguay and the recognition of same sex marriages in an number countries around the world imply that the definition of human rights is evolving to include nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation?

Actually, in Uruguay there are no laws against discrimination. What has been achieved is a reform in the Penal Code that makes it a crime to commit violence against people based on their sexual preference or sexual identity. Discourse that promotes hatred of these groups is also against the law. These advances are very valuable.

Of course such legislation does provide evidence of change: the attacks by the right are ferocious because the impact of these laws are enormous. The tendency toward greater equality seems to be irreversible in most countries.

The position of the Vatican provides yet another example of fundamentalism exacerbated by what is referred to as sexual rights. Do you think this is directly related to the Vatican position which rejects divorce, contraception and abortion?

Yes, control over the body (of women, but also of men who don't adhere to the paradigm of masculinity, and of transgender persons) is an established tool of fundamentalist domination. And the Vatican represents a fundamentalist power that already manipulates religious concepts in order to obtain and conserve its political power. This control over bodies is in keeping with the fundamentalist need for uniformity and homogeneity of societies.

Does this imply women's groups, human rights groups and groups of sexual minorities are natural allies confronting a common enemy?

Of course. I think sometime ago we overcame the notion that the struggle against discrimination based on sexual preference was only a concern of the gay, lesbian and transgender community. It is a matter of human rights and as such is part of the agenda of all people who consider themselves human rights activists. That is why it is inconceivable to call oneself a human rights advocate and not have a militant position against racism, whatever one's personal ethnic origin. I hope the same is true for sexual preference.