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Gay Bolivia News & Reports

1 Lesbian Actresses Arrested For Naked Soap 12/02

2 Reflections of a Gay Seminarian following his visit to Bolivia 3/05

3 La Familia Galan, Bolivia’s leading troupe of drag queens--a photo essay with words 2005

4 Some Comments from a Native about Gay Bolivia 7/06

5 I Am Rich Potosi 11/06 (Non gay background book)

6 Activists demand investigation into Pride explosion 7/07

7 Bolivian Constitution Bans Gay Marriage 12/07

Gay.com U.K.
http://uk.gay.com/headlines/3251

December 18, 2002

1
Lesbian Actresses Arrested For Naked Soap

A group of lesbian feminist actresses have been arrested for filming a nude soap opera in the streets of a Bolivian city. The explicit soap opera, Mother Don't Tell Me, is popular since its launch on Bolivian Tv three months ago.

Members of the Women in Creation group were arrested for filming the nude scenes in La Paz. The Ansalatine news agency reports that police accused the women of "obscene exhibition".

By Brian Cave, New York City

March 30, 2005

2
Reflections of a Gay Seminarian following his visit to Bolivia

Bolivia is the poorest nation in South America. The country is a landlocked country made up of 1,098580 square miles and has a population of 9 million people. 85% of the people of Bolivia are natives where as the other 15% are European (principally Spanish). 51% of the population is women and 41% of those women are under the age of 15. 72% of the people of Bolivia are able to get water but not in their homes. Only 3% of the population has water in their homes. 32% of the homes in Bolivia have dirt floors.

Currently the country is a democratic capitalist nation but has had many coups in the past. The current constitution had no input from any of the natives of Bolivia. 97% of the people were not included in the decision making process. Currently the natives are working to get their culture incorporated into a new constitution. 64% of Bolivia’s budget goes towards military defense, which the USA is very involved with.

However, currently the majority of the people of Bolivia want a Democratic Socialist nation. If the presidential elections were held today Evo Morales would win. He is the leader of the Movement For Socialism party. Currently there is a chance that there might be a new election before 2007. According to a report from CNN the current president Carlos Mesa has offered his resignation to Congress after widespread protests that were blocking the country. According to the NY Times, there could be a new election as early as August.

One of the major issues pressing in Bolivia right now is natural gas. There has been recent protest by the people of Bolivia by blocking the streets and shutting down the country in order that the government change policies regarding the ownership and taxes surrounding gas. There is currently a bill that has been passed by Bolivia’s lower house to change the tax rate for the gas companies to 50% of profits and now waiting to be approved by the Senate.

Dr. Raul Perez, MD was our group doctor and one of our lectures. He introduced us to issues surrounding gas on Bolivia. He received his medical degree in 1995 from Universidad Mayor de San Andres as well as a degree in Inmunohematology in 2002 from the Bolivia Blood Bank, and in 2002 a degree in Hematalogy in Valencia, Spain. He also has a degree in gas and does continuing research. According to Dr. Perez, there is 54 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in Bolivia. 49% of the land has petroleum and 46% of the petroleum is gas. There is enough gas to financially take care of all the people of Bolivia. However, the gas belongs to transnational corporations and they currently only pay 18% tax of profits from the gas to Bolivia, which very little of it trickles down to the people of Bolivia. According to a report from the International Socialist Organization on March 8, 2003, the companies that exploit the gas reserves are BP, Shell, British Gas, France’s TotalFineElf, and Spain’s Repsol.

According to a report from Madison Energy Advisors (a transaction advisor for oil and gas sales) on March 23, 2005, Repsol in partnership with the Brazil company Petrobras supply 70% of the natural gas sold to Brazil. Repsol is quoted in the report as saying that if the bill is passed, “it would oblige us to abandon many of our projects and everybody would lose, especially Bolivia. It would also be necessary to reconsider new investments that we have earmarked for the next few years.”

The government’s measures to privatize the gas industry have left over 60% of Bolivia’s 9 million people living on less than $2 a day. Currently 7 million people in Bolivia do not have any kind of health insurance. So it obvious that the gas companies are trying to bully the people of Bolivia by making them think they will be poor if they approve the new tax when many of the people of Bolivia are already living in poverty.

Our group saw first hand the poverty in Bolivia. In the evenings we would see families rummaging through large piles of garbage looking for food and anything else that might have some kind of value. El Alto is a very poor town right outside of La Paz and is the main passage way into and out of La Paz. There is no way to get to La Paz without driving through this community and seeing the poverty.

Gays in Bolivia
Another issue I researched while in Bolivia was the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. I did research before I went to Bolivia to make contacts and find out where the GLBT people met and interacted but I could not find any information. Even once I got to Bolivia I still could not find any signs of GLBT life.

So we decided that we would go look for transgender prostitutes in the red light district and interview them. Prostitution is legal in Bolivia, but you have to be registered with the health department and get tested every three months for sexually transmitted diseases.
We were privileged enough to meet Romina. She was wealth of information to us and even invited us to come to her home the next day to continue talking with her. She was about 5’7” while wearing heals and claimed most of her clients are married men. Romina is also part of a group of transvestites that meet every Friday for a Bible Study.

Romina gave us information about David Aruquipa Perez who has a Master in Gender Studies and who is the coordinator for The Galan Family. The Galan Family is a volunteer group of 50 men and one woman that integrate theater, photography, and film to educate the people of Bolivia around issues of sexuality and gender. Most members of the group have Master level degrees and are working professionals. The group works to create a space with drag queen performances to start dialogue on sexuality in this very Catholic Nation.

So between the Catholics and the Indigenous people LGBT rights were not voted for in the government. However, the group is continuing to work on getting GLBT issues in the constitution. Some of the members recently were able to meet with the President of Bolivia and talk with him.

The group also has a weekly radio show in La Paz on Tuesday nights on 101.7FM called Trans Stage. The group also has started a gay pride march that takes place on the last Saturday of June. In 1995 when they had their first public parade they were arrested. In 2004 they had 300 people march in the parade. The gay community does not get any support from the churches and even go as far to not welcome GLBT people in the church.

The group is working on getting its website www.familiagalanbolivia.com up and running soon.

Being gay in Bolivia is still a very taboo thing. Most of the GLBT people are very closeted. According to a report from the website GlobalGayz.com there is no legal prohibition against homosexuality; however, the police are woefully underpaid and target GLBT people with illicit fines.

With Bolivia being a predominately Catholic nation, it means most of the community looks down upon birth control and contraception. Therefore; there is not much education regarding condom use and that also means greater risk for the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. According to a report from the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, there were 11,000 document cases of HIV/AIDS at the end of 2003.

In January 2005, according to Dr. Perez who we met in Bolivia, there are 25,000 documented cases of HIV/AIDS. Dr. Perez said that only the symptoms of HIV/AIDS is treated and not the disease itself in Bolivia. He also stated the most of those infected were infected while visiting the United States and Brazil. According to the U.S. Agency for International Development, HIV/AIDS has remained low with the female commercial sex workers because they are required to be registered and must be tested every three months to keep their health certificates.

Christianity and Capitalism
My experience with Bolivia has made me question whether Christianity and Capitalism are compatible. Christian Smith in his book Moral, Believing Animals:Human Personhood and Culture made a statement that has stuck with me. He said that there is danger in the “invisibleness” of some of presuppositions and beliefs we hold that are linked to our “liberal democratic capitalist…ontology culture” (Smith, 60) Smith also talks about how as moral believing creatures that all beliefs are not the same.

When I read the Gospels and see what Jesus was teaching, I believe most of teachings are not compatible at all with capitalist practices. The fact that Jesus in the book of Mark tells the rich man that he has to sell everything to get into the kingdom of heaven is one example that shows me that the monetary greed that comes from capitalism and free markets is in contradiction to Jesus.

So, if the United States wants to be a Christian Nation then the United States must no longer be a democratic capitalist nation and should not be forcing other countries to become democratic capitalist nations.

This idea that all countries need to be like the United States of America is our invisible presupposition that is dangerous as Smith talks about. Democratic capitalism does not work for everyone. The people of Bolivia want a democratic socialist nation so that all the people will have equal access to the necessities of life. The people of Bolivia want and can take care of themselves if they have access to the gas that democratic capitalist nations like the United States have taken over and rob the Bolivian people of their basic rights.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
=Ammon, Richard. Gay Varieties in Bolivia [Internet]. GlobalGayz.com, 2003, 1999 [cited March 28 2005]. Available from http://www.globalgayz.com/g-bolivia.html.
=Bolivia Gas Plans Trigger Unrest, 2003. Available from http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/americas/3112272.stm.
=Forero, Juan. "Bolivian Chief Is Proposing New Elections in August." New York Times, March 16, 2005 2005.
=HIV/AIDS, Joint United Nations Programme on. "Bolivia." 2004.
=Kann, Andrew Dean Nystrom & Morgan. Lonely Planet. 5 ed, Lonely Planet Travel Guide Series: Lonely Planet Publications, April 2004.
=Organization, International Socialist. "Uprising Rocks Bolivia." Socialist Worker, March 2003 2003, 1.
=Smith, Christian. Moral, Believing Animals. New York City: Oxford University Press, 2003.
=Wertheim. "Brazil Warns against Bolivian Legislation." edited by Madison Energy Advisors: Pennwell Corporation, 2005.

BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/05/americas_bolivia_gay_pride/html/1.stm

2005

3
La Familia Galan, Bolivia’s leading troupe of drag queens--a photo essay with words
(Photo link, above, has been deleted by BBC.)

Words and pictures by David Atkinson
Street life
David Aruquipa, 33, is a gay Bolivian male, who works as an activist for gay rights in La Paz. By night, he transforms into Danna Galan, frontperson for La Familia Galan, Bolivia’s leading troupe of drag queens. " To be Bolivian and gay is easier in La Paz than elsewhere in Bolivia. People here are more aware of sexual rights. In Santa Cruz, for example, there are more cases of HIV and transvestites working in the sex industry, yet more discrimination."

Making up
" It takes me about 30 minutes to transform into Danna Galan," says David. The first official case of Aids was recognised by the government in 1985 and, by 1992, 83 cases had been reported, of which 66% were identified as being within the bi- and homosexual community. " I used to work in a Aids drop-in centre, now I’m developing a theatre project with a Swedish NGO. The idea is to bring the discussion about Aids to the public's attention by bringing it into their everyday lives."

Transformer
" The concept of 'trans' is very important to us. By opening up the world of trans, we are calling into question what people consider to be normal or politically correct. " We want to challenge the accepted values that try to impose rules on our bodies. " These bodies that bring our politicised mandate out into the open, are 'trans' bodies."

Being seen
" As Danna, I go out when I want and how I want. I’m prepared for any kind of reaction. But, I’m so sure of myself that, when I meet people, I communicate my self-assurance and end up convincing them. "For me, those who don't come out and declare what they are, are simply accomplices to discrimination. The whole point for me is that I want to be visible."

Family
" The 'family' came together in 2001. We now have 30 members, with new ones joining us from cities outside La Paz. "The whole idea of the Family Galan is to challenge the notion of the traditional nuclear family. " We are a family with love, fights, disagreements and tender moments like any other family. We are bonded by a philosophy that diversity is essential to family life."

Legal fight
Law 810: Sexual and Reproductive Rights, was approved by parliament in April, 2004, but the then President, Carlos Mesa (pictured), refused to sign it into law. The legislation has now been frozen. " When Church groups recently protested against the law, we went out to meet them. We even met Mr Mesa. " The Catholic Church calls the law - which allows homosexual couples to marry and foster children - 'an assault on the dignity of the family'."

Liberation
" This is the second year that a Gay Pride event has been held in La Paz. Bolivia’s first Gay Pride was held in the southern city Santa Cruz in 2001. In light of the controversy over Law 810, we decided to give this year’s event a more political slant, renaming it a 'March for Sexual Diversity'."

On the march
" Some 200 people joined the march, with around 1,000 more lining the streets. At the last minute, the city council refused to grant us a license to march. " They warned us that they would send in the police to stop us but, in the end, it passed off with great success, with the crowd applauding us."

Hypocrisy
" We just want to be openly gay and talk openly about our sexuality, because these issues are part of the political, cultural and social life of Bolivia as a whole. " Why can't we discuss openly these issues and free ourselves of the hypocrisy that surround us? " All we are saying is that we want be free to feel and make decisions about how our own bodies enjoy sexual pleasure."

From: GlobalGayz.com
Correspondence from Rodrigo

July 5, 2006

4
Some Comments from a Native about Gay Bolivia

From Rodrigo
Thanks a lot for your answer and because you will keep with discretion my name. I really apologize for my english, I know I have many grammatical problemas, but at least I can make me understand the general idea.

I dont mind if you make an interview, as long as you know that is a percepction of one gay that probably dosen't represent the 100% of reality.

I also don't mind if you received any requests for referencie of discos or people in Bolivia. Of course you can refer them to me. Actually I received some gays friends from France, because I also speak some frensh, whats moreI love meet people from another countries and continents. I study at the University International Relations, so I enjoy making friends from different countries and cultures.

Actual situation of the gay movement in Bolivia: A Short perception
Just a week ago was the gay parade in La Paz, I also know that was reproduced in other big cities of the country such as: Santa Cruz and Cochabamba. I participate in the gay pride of La Paz. But the parade was divide in 2. One group made the parade the 26 of june (gays, some bisexuals, and some "discrets" travesties, and the 28 of june participate the "Familia Galan", which are a group of travesties, dragaqueens, that give the face in the name of all the gay movement in La Paz. They try to make a cultural activity in front of the Congress and Palace of Gevernment, but they were repressed by the police.

About the gay clubs, there is one in downtown. Altought, personaly I dont like, is the only one in the city, so sometimes there is no way to avoid this place. But exist also a few "òpen minds" disco more fashion in downtown or in neighborhoods more rich and ocasionally is possible to find gay friends.

For the tourist is very hard to find information about gay life in La Paz, because people on the streets dosent know almost absolutly nothyng about gay life, so its better to make a contact by internet with somebody before arrive.

Also what usually happpend between gays in La Paz is have their owg group of friends (according their social class) to make activities or go to straight discos or make trips, barbecues, etc.

November 2006

5
I Am Rich Potosi

The Mountain that Eats Men (Stephen Ferry, The Monacelli Press, 1999)

I Am Rich Potosi ­ The Mountain that Eats Men is a beautiful hard- bound edition, printed with great care by Conti Tipocolor, Firenze, Italy. Along with 88 color plates, the work includes an introductory essay by Eduardo Galeano, historical quotes and engravings, and excerpts from Stephen Ferry's journal.

Once world-famous, Potosi­ is now a forgotten city 16,000 feet up in the desert highlands of Bolivia. For almost 250 years (1573-1815),
Potosi­ was the focal point of the Spanish Empire in South America, a forced labor camp where over three million indigenous men were
compelled to work inside the Rich Mountain; these Quechua and Aymara slaves extracted from Potosi­ such fantastic quantities of silver as to affect the course of world history.

I Am Rich Potosi­ looks closely at the fascinating culture of the present-day miners of Potosi, who work deep within the mountain that was the tomb of their ancestors. In their labor, daily life, and sacrificial festivals, these thousands of miners and their families re-enact and interpret history in richly symbolic ways, demonstrating not only the tragedy of their past, but also the heroism of their cultural resistance to destruction. Over a period of eight years, Stephen Ferry returned many times to Potosi­, the poorest place in all of Latin America, seeking to communicate its meaning to the outside world.

To see extracts from I Am Rich Potosi­, please click on:

http://www.foto8.com/issue04/potosi1.html
http://photoarts.com/journal/SABA/ferry/potosi/
http://culturesontheedge.com/gallery/archives/potosi/journal/

For further information, please contact Stephen Ferry at stepheneferry@mac.com or info@monacellipress.com

pinknews.co.uk
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5015.html

25th July 2007

6
Activists demand investigation into Pride explosion

by PinkNews.co.uk writer
Human rights advocates are urging the authorities in Bolivia to properly investigate an explosion at a Pride event last month that injured several people. The incident occurred in the capital city of La Paz on the 30th June, the same day as London Pride. While celebrating Respect For Sexual Diversities Day in the city, and just before the parade started, one of the floats was attacked with dynamite. There are conflicting reports as to how many people were hurt, with as many as six people injured. There were other events in cities across Bolivia on that day which passed off relatively peacefully.

In Santa Cruz, some threw eggs and ice cubes at a car of transvestites. The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission said that a rapid and thorough action in response to the incident would make a statement that violence against people based on their sexual preference and expression is not tolerated in Bolivia. They request that letters be sent immediately to the Bolivian authorities, demanding an investigation of the facts so that all the people responsible for the attack can be identified and punished. In previous years, in the cities of La Paz and Santa Cruz, people who participated in gay Pride were attacked with rotten tomatoes and eggs by people in the crowd.

This year gay marchers in Tarija and Cochabamba took to the streets for the first time. Several institutions supported the events, such as the Institute of Human Development. Last year the Bolivian government, in concert with other South American nations, pledged to include sexual orientation and gender identity within the human rights agenda. In La Paz, the city's municipal "Vindication of Human Rights" guarantees the right to find the conditions for one's own political, cultural, social, economic, and ecological accomplishment without discrimination due to colour, age, gender, sexual "choices," language, religion, level of income, opinion, or nationality.

vivirlatino.com
http://vivirlatino.com/2007/12/26/bolivian-constitution-bans-gay-marriage.php

December 26, 2007

7
Bolivian Constitution Bans Gay Marriage

There was much uproar in Bolivia late last month when it was announced that a new constitution was approved in that country. Among the amendments to the document was a stipulation that seemed to go unnoticed until now; one that writes discrimination into the constitution by defining marriage between a man and a woman.

The Bolivian LGBT community is outraged, while the Bolivian government defended itself saying they "haven't received any requests" on the part of the gay community to include gay marriage as a right in the new constitution and alleges that such a proposal wouldn't have gone anywhere since "Bolivian society is conservative".

15 LGBT groups in Bolivia are fighting back with a document outlining their demands, among them the right to education and employment regardless of sexual orientation.