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LGBTQ and Safe Zone Training Overview Sponsored by SeneGAD and GamGAD

LGBTQ and Safe Zone Training Overview Sponsored by SeneGAD and GamGAD. Part A: Introduction and goals. To increase volunteers’ comfort with and awareness of homosexuality To discuss current laws in Senegal & The Gambia pertaining to LGBTQ persons

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LGBTQ and Safe Zone Training Overview Sponsored by SeneGAD and GamGAD

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  1. LGBTQ andSafe Zone TrainingOverviewSponsored by SeneGAD and GamGAD

  2. Part A: Introduction and goals

  3. To increase volunteers’ comfort with and awareness of homosexuality • To discuss current laws in Senegal & The Gambia pertaining to LGBTQ persons • To discuss and brainstorm ways volunteers can be Allies to each other 3 main goals of this training:

  4. Peace Corps Senegal Handbook states: “Volunteers should not disclose their sexual orientation to their host family members, particularly early in service. Such a confession may be a source of danger or discomfort. There is no tolerance for public displays of gay or lesbian affection in Senegal and homosexual acts remain illegal here. Homosexuality is not accepted in Senegal, neither in the culture nor in law, even between consenting adults. Volunteers who may be accused of homosexuality risk physical threats or harassment that may reach a point that the Volunteer may have to leave the country because of safety concerns.”

  5. Issues faced by PCTs and PCVs What are some of the difficulties that Peace Corps trainees and volunteers face when adjusting to life in country?

  6. Issues faced by gay/homosexual volunteers Poorly Performing PCV Isolation Depression Fear of being “found out” Fear of physical harm Sexual loneliness and risk taking Loneliness from larger LGBTQ community Family problems Lack of trust with others (i.e. staff)

  7. Current Gay Rights United States Civil Rights - Sexual orientation is not a part of the Federal anti-discrimination  laws Hate Crimes -  Sexual orientation and gender identity is protected under a Federal Hate Crimes law Same-Sex Couples - Six states and the District of Columbia have legalized homosexual marriage, others may not recognize it at all or to a lesser degree Criminal Law - Homosexual relations between consenting adults in private is not a crime Armed Forces - "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" recently repealed

  8. Situation in Senegal • In colonial times, Dakar was famous for its open and tolerated homosexual prostitution market; now it is West Africa’s center of gay oppression • Since 1965, homosexual acts are illegal in Senegal and punishable by jail time (maximum of 5 years) • 96% of the population said homosexuality should be rejected by society in a 2007 survey

  9. Recent Arrests • 2008: • 5 men arrested in 2008 during "gay marriage" controversy after photos were printed in a magazine; • Police raided an HIV training hosted by a local AIDS organization suspected of aiding gay men • 2009: • Man arrested in Touba for forming a “network of homosexuals • 24 men arrested in a private home, followed by sensational media coverage, strong homophobic statements from religious and political leaders, and violence (physical attacks and exhumation/desecration of bodies) • 2011: • Two men were arrested in Touba for acts against nature

  10. Situation in The Gambia • Same-sex sexual acts are punishable with up to 14 years in prison. • Originally, this law applied only to males, but was updated in 2005 to include women as well. • In 2008, President YahyaJammeh made strong threats about introducing even stricter laws (including beheading) • 2010 US State Dept report noted stong societal discrimination against LGBT individuals, but no official laws denying citizenship, employment, housing, education or healthcare

  11. Worldwide  • 5 countries, as wells as parts of Nigeria and Somalia enforce a death penalty for homosexual acts • 76 countries persecute homosexual acts • 58 countries have laws protecting LGBTQ individuals from various levels of discrimination • 32 countries provide civil unions or marriage opportunities to same-sex couples

  12. Regardless of how open a PCV is about his or her sexual orientation, he or she must always be “in the closet” at site. Personal Identity During Your PC Service

  13. Peace Corps Voices These are the stories of PCVs who have experienced adversity both before and during their respective services.

  14. What were your reactions when you were listening to these statements?

  15. Remember: There is no rubric, guideline, or one-size-fits-all process Everyone is an individual, and everyone has different reasons for the choices they make An individual may come out to different people or groups at different periods of time

  16. Continuum of Acceptance • Disparage: Demean, Ridicule, criticize, belittle • Deny: To refuse to recognize or acknowledge • Acknowledge: To admit to be real or true; recognize the existence of • Affirm: Support, to state or assert positively

  17. Continuum of Acceptance

  18. Safe Zone Ally List • A list of staff members and volunteers who’ve been though Safe Zone Training and have identified themselves as ALLIES can be found in all Peace Corps locations throughout Senegal and The Gambia • These locations are to be considered SAFE ZONES where volunteers can be free to “be themselves.”

  19. Please consider the presenters to be open resources for your further questions about LGBTQ issues after the conclusion of the presentation. • Before we adjourn, are there questions anyone feels comfortable asking in front of the group? Questions

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