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Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Stop Transgender Pathologization (STP) Designates October 22nd International Day of Action

data="http://www.stp2012.info/img/400x500_oct_eng.swf"

The International Day of Action for Trans Depathologization will take place this year on Saturday, October 22nd 2011. They are inviting all activist groups around the world to participate in this call for action and go out into the streets for trans depathologization. To participate, please contact: contact@stp2012.info Apart from this international day of action, STP 2012 will continue working, in collaboration with other activist networks, in international forums in favor of trans declassification, and through participating in groups and work commissions. They intend to continue to participate in regional and international meetings, symposiums and conferences, with the objective of spreading the word about STP 2012 and creating spaces for debate regarding trans depathologization. International Stop Trans Pathologization Campaign - STP 2012, July 2011 www.stp2012.infoContact: contact@stp2012.info International Stop Trans Pathologization Campaign - STP 2012 On October 23rd 2010 - the International Day of Action for the Depathologization of Trans Identities, which is coordinated by the International Stop Trans Pathologization (STP) 2012 Campaign - demonstrations and other actions in favor of trans depathologization took place in 61 cities of Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. The number of cities proves to be a significant growth in comparison to the mobilizations from the past year, when 41 cities organized demonstrations and other actions. To this date, more than 270 groups and activist networks from various regions of the world have joined the STP 2012 Campaign. Additionally, during the past two years several statements for depathologization and/or depsychopathologization of transexuality have been published by international activist networks, among them Asia Pacific Transgender Network ILGA Europe ILGA-Europe / TGEU (Malta Declaration) ILGA Trans Secretariat STRAP and Transgender Europe as well as international and national professional associations such as SOCUMES and WPATH. Within the political sphere, over the span of these last two years, we have observed a growing inclusion of trans depathologization issues in national and international political agendas, as mentioned in documents, recommendations and statements issued by international organizations and governments; these include the “Human Rights and Gender Identity” Issue Paper by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg. the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers’ Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 the Resolution 1728 (2010) of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly and the Human Rights Comment by Thomas Hammarberg “Clear laws needed to protect trans persons from discrimination and hatred,” published on July 26th 2011as well as statements issued by governments such as the Spanish Government and the French Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs Furthermore, on October 23rd of 2010, International Day of Action for Trans Depathologization, the European Parliament's Intergroup on LGBT Rights posed a parliamentary question to the Council of Europe regarding their position on the subject of trans declassification, a question that was answered in January 2011 by the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection While observing a growing support to the STP 2012 demands from activists and professionals, and an increased presence of this issue in international political agendas, we are also noticing a lack of translation of these statements of interest into actual changes in the health and legal situations of trans people in various regions around the world. Thus, trans people’s experiences continue to be characterized by a logic of pathologization. In February 2010 a draft of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 was published, which, besides some terminological modifications (“gender incongruence” instead of “gender identity disorders”) and changes in the diagnosis criteria, still maintained the classification of gender expressions, trajectories and identities as a mental health disorder. STP 2012 analyzed this draft in a communiqué and in a letter directed to the American Psychiatric Association (APA) On May 4th, 2011, a new draft of the “gender dysphoria” chapter was published on the APA website dedicated to the development of the DSM-5. This last version has new changes in terminology (“gender dysphoria” instead of “gender incongruence”) and includes new diagnostic criteria and additional specifications. It also changes its position in the general structure of the DSM-5 – “gender dysphoria” is now in a different chapter than the one “sexual dysfunctions” and “paraphilias” are in. Just like we did in 2010, STP 2012 sent a letter 3 to the APA regarding these last modifications with regard to the “gender dysphoria” chapter in the DSM-5 draft. We as STP 2012 note with concern that, despite the recent modifications in the latest version of the draft, trans expressions, trajectories and identities continue to be classified as mental health issues, both through the diagnostic criteria of “gender dysphoria” and “transvestic disorder.” Therefore, we deem that the main demand of the STP 2012 Campaign still stands: that is, the removal of pathologizing diagnostic criteria related to trans expressions, trajectories, and identities (in their varying terminological terms) from the DSM and ICD psychiatric diagnostic manuals. In addition to the ongoing classification of trans identities as mental health disorders in the DSM-5 draft, we also observe the persistence of pathologizing situations in trans persons’ daily lives, both in legal and health arenas. In many countries around the world, trans people have no access to good quality, statecovered trans-specific healthcare. In countries where the public health system does include trans-specific healthcare, access to services is often bound to psychiatric or medical monitoring. DOWNLOAD THE FULL COMMUNIQUE HERE Let us also be reminded of the Historic Decision at the United Nations: Human Rights Council Passes First-Ever Resolution on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (Geneva, June 17, 2011) In a groundbreaking achievement for upholding the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the United Nations Human Rights Council has passed a resolution on human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity (L9/rev1). The resolution, presented by South Africa along with Brasil and 39 additional co-sponsors from all regions of the world, was passed by a vote of 23 in favour, 19 against, and 3 abstentions. A list of how States voted is attached. In its presentation to Council, South Africa recalled the UDHR noting that “everyone is entitled to all rights and freedoms without distinction of any kind” and Brasil called on the Council to “open the long closed doors of dialogue”. Today’s resolution is the first UN resolution ever to bring specific focus to human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and follows a joint statement on these issues delivered at the March session of the council. It affirms the universality of human rights, and notes concern about acts of violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This commitment of the Human Rights Council sends an important signal of support to human rights defenders working on these issues, and recognizes the legitimacy of their work. “The South African government has now offered progressive leadership, after years of troubling and inconsistent positions on the issue of sexual orientation and gender identity. Simultaneously, the government has set a standard for themselves in international spaces. We look forward to contributing to and supporting sustained progressive leadership by this government and seeing the end of the violations we face daily”. (Dawn Cavanagh, Coalition of African Lesbians) The resolution requests the High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a study on violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and calls for a panel discussion to be held at the Human Rights Council to discuss the findings of the study in a constructive and transparent manner, and to consider appropriate follow-up. “That we are celebrating the passage of a UN resolution about human rights violations on the basis of sexual orientation is remarkable, however the fact that gender identity is explicitly named truly makes this pivotal moment one to rejoice in,” added Justus Eisfeld, Co-Director of GATE. “The Human Rights Council has taken a step forward in history by acknowledging that both sexual and gender non-conformity make lesbian, gay, trans* and bi people among those most vulnerable and indicated decisively that states have an obligation to protect us from violence.” "As treaty bodies, UN special procedures, and national courts have repeatedly recognized, international human rights law prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.” (Alli Jernow, International Commission of Jurists) The resolution is consistent with other regional and national jurisprudence, and just this week, the 2011 United Nations Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS recognised the need to address the human rights of men who have sex with men, and the Organization of American States adopted by consensus a resolution condemning violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Earlier in this 17th session of the Human Rights Council, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Rashida Manjoo, reported to the Council that: “[C]ontributory factors for risk of violence include individual aspects of women’s bodily attributes such as race, skin colour, intellectual and physical abilities, age, language skills and fluency, ethnic identity and sexual orientation.” The report also detailed a number of violations committed against lesbian, bisexual and trans women, including cases of rape, attacks and murders. It is therefore regrettable that a reference to "women who face sexuality-related violence" was removed from the final version of another resolution focused on the elimination of violence against women during the same session. "Despite this inconsistency, we trust the UN resolution on sexual orientation and gender identity will facilitate the integration of the full range of sexual rights throughout the work of the UN." (Meghan Doherty, Sexual Rights Initiative). A powerful civil society statement was delivered at the end of the session, welcoming the resolution and affirming civil society’s commitment to continuing to engage with the United Nations with a view to ensuring that all persons are treated as free and equal in dignity and rights, including on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. “Now, our work is just beginning”, said Kim Vance of ARC International. “We look forward to the High Commissioner’s report and the plenary panel next March, as well as to further dialogue with, and support from, those States which did not yet feel able to support the resolution, but which share the concern of the international community at these systemic human rights abuses.” ARC International, John Fisher (Geneva) +41 79 508 3968 or john@arc-international.net Amnesty International, Peter Splinter (Geneva) +41 (0) 22 906 9483 or Emily Gray (London) +44 (0) 20 7413 5865 CAL – Coalition of African Lesbians, Dawn Cavanagh (South Africa) + 27 11 918 6115 or dawn@cal.org.za COC Nederland, Björn van Roozendaal (Netherlands) +31 6 22 55 83 00 or BvanRoozendaal@coc.nl Council for Global Equality, Mark Bromley (Washington) +1.202.719.0511 orMark@globalequality.org GATE - Global Action for Trans* Equality, Justus Eisfeld (New York) jeisfeld@transactivists.org, +1-646-341-1699 or Mauro Cabral (Argentina)mcabral@transactivists.org or +54 9 351 5589876 Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, Stefano Fabeni (Washington) +1 312-919-3512 or sfabeni@heartlandalliance.org Human Rights Watch, Siphokazi Mthathi (South Africa) mthaths@hrw.org or + 27 82 777 1319/ +27 11 484 2640 or Juliette De Rivero (Geneva) +41 079 640 1649 or derivej@hrw.org IDAHO - International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, Joel Bedos (France) jbedos@dayagainsthomophobia.org IGLHRC - International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, Jessica Stern (New York) + 1 212 430 6014 or jstern@iglhrc.org ILGA- the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, Renato Sabbadini, +32 474 857 950 or renato@ilga.org International Campaign Stop Trans Pathologization STP 2012, Amets Suess, stp2012@gmail.com International Commission of Jurists, Alli Jernow (Geneva) +41(0)22 979 3800) orallison.jernow@icj.org International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), Bjorn Pettersson (Geneva),b.pettersson@ishr.ch, +41 22 919 7117 Sexual Rights Initiative, Meghan Doherty, Sexual Rights Initiative, +41 (0)78 871 6713 or meghan@acpd.ca Thailand's Sexual Diversity Network, Paisarn Likhitpreechakul +66 81 634 3450 orforsogi@gmail.com Transgender Europe (TGEU), Carla LaGata (Germany), mana@zedat.fu-berlin.de Attachment (Records of Vote and Co-Sponsorship) States supporting the resolution: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Hungary, Japan, Mauritius, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, Thailand, UK, USA, Uruguay States against the resolution: Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Djibouti, Gabon, Ghana, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Moldova, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Uganda. Abstentions: Burkina Faso, China, Zambia Absent: Kyrgyzstan, Libya (suspended) Co-Sponsors of the resolution: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy,Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, and Uruguay. Peace and tolerance H .



The International Day of Action for Trans Depathologization will take place this year on Saturday, October 22nd 2011. They are inviting all activist groups around the world to participate in this call for action and go out into the streets for trans depathologization.

To participate, please contact: contact@stp2012.info

Apart from this international day of action, STP 2012 will continue working, in collaboration with other activist networks, in international forums in favor of trans declassification, and through participating in groups and work commissions. They intend to continue to participate in regional and international meetings, symposiums and conferences, with the objective of spreading the word about STP 2012 and creating spaces for debate regarding trans depathologization.

International Stop Trans Pathologization Campaign - STP 2012, July 2011
www.stp2012.infoContact: contact@stp2012.info

International Stop Trans Pathologization Campaign - STP 2012 

On October 23rd 2010 - the International Day of Action for the Depathologization of Trans Identities, which is coordinated by the International Stop Trans Pathologization (STP) 2012 Campaign - demonstrations and other actions in favor of trans depathologization took place in 61 cities of Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. The number of cities proves to be a significant growth in comparison to the mobilizations from the past year, when 41 cities organized demonstrations and other actions. To this date, more than 270 groups and activist networks from various regions of the world have joined the STP 2012 Campaign. 

Additionally, during the past two years several statements for depathologization and/or depsychopathologization of transexuality have been  published by international activist networks, among
them Asia Pacific Transgender Network ILGA Europe ILGA-Europe / TGEU (Malta Declaration) ILGA Trans Secretariat STRAP and Transgender Europe as well as international and national  professional associations such as SOCUMES and WPATH. Within the political sphere, over the span of these last two years, we have observed a growing  inclusion of trans depathologization issues in national and international political agendas, as mentioned in documents, recommendations and statements issued by international organizations and governments; these include the “Human Rights and Gender Identity” Issue Paper by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg. the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers’ Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 the Resolution 1728 (2010) of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly and the Human Rights Comment by Thomas Hammarberg  “Clear laws needed to protect trans persons from discrimination and hatred,” published on July 26th 2011as well as statements issued by governments such as the Spanish Government and the French Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs Furthermore, on October 23rd of 2010, International Day of Action for Trans  Depathologization, the European Parliament's Intergroup on LGBT Rights posed a parliamentary question to  the Council of Europe regarding their position on the subject of trans declassification,  a question that was answered in January 2011 by the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection While observing a growing support to the STP 2012 demands from activists and professionals, and an increased presence of this issue in international  political agendas, we are also noticing a lack of translation of these statements of interest into actual changes in the health and legal situations of trans people in various regions around the world. Thus, trans people’s experiences continue to be characterized by a logic of pathologization.

In February 2010 a draft of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 was published, which, besides some terminological modifications (“gender incongruence” instead of “gender identity disorders”) and changes in the diagnosis criteria, still maintained the classification of gender expressions, trajectories and identities as a mental health disorder. STP 2012 analyzed this draft in a communiqué and in a letter directed to the American Psychiatric Association (APA) On May 4th, 2011, a new draft of the “gender dysphoria” chapter was published on the APA website dedicated to the development of the DSM-5.

Stop Trans Pathologization - 2012

This last version has new changes in terminology (“gender dysphoria” instead  of “gender incongruence”) and includes new diagnostic criteria and additional specifications. It also changes its position in the general structure of the DSM-5 – “gender dysphoria” is now in a different chapter than the one “sexual dysfunctions” and “paraphilias” are in. Just like we did in 2010, STP 2012 sent a letter 3 to the APA regarding these last modifications with regard to the “gender dysphoria” chapter in the DSM-5 draft.

We as STP 2012 note with concern that, despite the recent modifications in the latest version of the draft, trans expressions, trajectories  and identities continue to be classified as mental health issues, both through the diagnostic criteria of “gender dysphoria” and “transvestic disorder.” Therefore, we deem that the main demand of the STP 2012 Campaign still stands: that is, the removal of pathologizing diagnostic criteria related to trans expressions, trajectories, and identities (in their varying terminological terms) from the DSM and ICD psychiatric diagnostic manuals.

In addition to the ongoing classification of trans identities as mental health disorders in the DSM-5 draft, we also observe the persistence of pathologizing situations in trans persons’ daily lives, both in legal and health arenas. In many countries around the world, trans people have no access to good quality, statecovered trans-specific healthcare. In countries where the public health system does include trans-specific healthcare, access to services is often bound to psychiatric or medical monitoring. 

DOWNLOAD THE FULL COMMUNIQUE HERE

Let us also be reminded of the

Historic Decision at the United Nations: Human Rights Council Passes First-Ever Resolution on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

(Geneva, June 17, 2011) In a groundbreaking achievement for upholding the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the United Nations Human Rights Council has passed a resolution on human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity (L9/rev1).
The resolution, presented by South Africa along with Brasil and 39 additional co-sponsors from all regions of the world, was passed by a vote of 23 in favour, 19 against, and 3 abstentions.  A list of how States voted is attached. In its presentation to Council, South Africa recalled the UDHR noting that “everyone is entitled to all rights and freedoms without distinction of any kind” and Brasil called on the Council to “open the long closed doors of dialogue”.
Today’s resolution is the first UN resolution ever to bring specific focus to human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and follows a joint statement on these issues delivered at the March session of the council. It affirms the universality of human rights, and notes concern about acts of violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This commitment of the Human Rights Council sends an important signal of support to human rights defenders working on these issues, and recognizes the legitimacy of their work.
“The South African government has now offered progressive leadership, after years of troubling and inconsistent positions on the issue of sexual orientation and gender identity. Simultaneously, the government has set a standard for themselves in international spaces. We look forward to contributing to and supporting sustained progressive leadership by this government and seeing the end of the violations we face daily”. (Dawn Cavanagh, Coalition of African Lesbians)
The resolution requests the High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a study on violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and calls for a panel discussion to be held at the Human Rights Council to discuss the findings of the study in a constructive and transparent manner, and to consider appropriate follow-up.
“That we are celebrating the passage of a UN resolution about human rights violations on the basis of sexual orientation is remarkable, however the fact that gender identity is explicitly named truly makes this pivotal moment one to rejoice in,” added Justus Eisfeld, Co-Director of GATE.  “The Human Rights Council has taken a step forward in history by acknowledging that both sexual and gender non-conformity make lesbian, gay, trans* and bi people among those most vulnerable and indicated decisively that states have an obligation to protect us from violence.”
"As treaty bodies, UN special procedures, and national courts have repeatedly recognized, international human rights law prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.” (Alli Jernow, International Commission of Jurists)
The resolution is consistent with other regional and national jurisprudence, and just this week, the 2011 United Nations Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS recognised the need to address the human rights of men who have sex with men, and the Organization of American States adopted by consensus a resolution condemning violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Earlier in this 17th session of the Human Rights Council, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Rashida Manjoo, reported to the Council that:
“[C]ontributory factors for risk of violence include individual aspects of women’s bodily attributes such as race, skin colour, intellectual and physical abilities, age, language skills and fluency, ethnic identity and sexual orientation.”
The report also detailed a number of violations committed against lesbian, bisexual and trans women, including cases of rape, attacks and murders.  It is therefore regrettable that a reference to "women who face sexuality-related violence" was removed from the final version of another resolution focused on the elimination of violence against women during the same session. 
"Despite this inconsistency, we trust the UN resolution on sexual orientation and gender identity will facilitate the integration of the full range of sexual rights throughout the work of the UN." (Meghan Doherty, Sexual Rights Initiative).

A powerful civil society statement was delivered at the end of the session, welcoming the resolution and affirming civil society’s commitment to continuing to engage with the United Nations with a view to ensuring that all persons are treated as free and equal in dignity and rights, including on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
“Now, our work is just beginning”, said Kim Vance of ARC International. “We look forward to the High Commissioner’s report and the plenary panel next March, as well as to further dialogue with, and support from, those States which did not yet feel able to support the resolution, but which share the concern of the international community at these systemic human rights abuses.”

ARC International, John Fisher (Geneva) +41 79 508 3968 or john@arc-international.net
Amnesty International, Peter Splinter (Geneva) +41 (0) 22 906 9483 or Emily Gray (London) +44 (0) 20 7413 5865
CAL – Coalition of African Lesbians, Dawn Cavanagh (South Africa) + 27 11 918 6115 or dawn@cal.org.za
COC Nederland, Björn van Roozendaal (Netherlands) +31 6 22 55 83 00 or BvanRoozendaal@coc.nl
Council for Global Equality, Mark Bromley (Washington)  +1.202.719.0511 orMark@globalequality.org
GATE - Global Action for Trans* Equality, Justus Eisfeld (New York) jeisfeld@transactivists.org, +1-646-341-1699 or Mauro Cabral (Argentina)mcabral@transactivists.org or +54 9 351 5589876
Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, Stefano Fabeni (Washington) +1 312-919-3512 or sfabeni@heartlandalliance.org
Human Rights Watch, Siphokazi Mthathi (South Africa) mthaths@hrw.org or + 27 82 777 1319/ +27 11 484 2640 or Juliette De Rivero (Geneva) +41 079 640 1649 or derivej@hrw.org
IDAHO - International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, Joel Bedos (France) jbedos@dayagainsthomophobia.org
IGLHRC - International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, Jessica Stern (New York) + 1 212 430 6014 or jstern@iglhrc.org
ILGA- the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, Renato Sabbadini, +32 474 857 950 or renato@ilga.org
International Campaign Stop Trans Pathologization STP 2012, Amets Suess, stp2012@gmail.com
International Commission of Jurists, Alli Jernow (Geneva) +41(0)22 979 3800) orallison.jernow@icj.org
International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), Bjorn Pettersson (Geneva),b.pettersson@ishr.ch, +41 22 919 7117

Sexual Rights Initiative, Meghan Doherty, Sexual Rights Initiative, +41 (0)78 871 6713 or meghan@acpd.ca
Thailand's Sexual Diversity Network, Paisarn Likhitpreechakul +66 81 634 3450 orforsogi@gmail.com
Transgender Europe (TGEU), Carla LaGata (Germany), mana@zedat.fu-berlin.de
Attachment (Records of Vote and Co-Sponsorship)

States supporting the resolution: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Hungary, Japan, Mauritius, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, Thailand, UK, USA, Uruguay

States against the resolution: Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Djibouti, Gabon, Ghana, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Moldova, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Uganda.

Abstentions: Burkina Faso, China, Zambia

Absent: Kyrgyzstan, Libya (suspended)

Co-Sponsors of the resolution: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy,Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, and Uruguay.

Stop Trans Pathologization from Stop Trans Pathologization on Vimeo.


Peace and tolerance

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