GATE Publication: Gender is not an illness
December 15, 2017. GATE released the publication Gender is not an illness. How pathologization violates human rights law. This paper was conceived and produced as a contribution to the ongoing process of depathologizing trans and gender diverse people through the reform of classification systems, legal frameworks and social attitudes. It was authored by Sheherezade Kara*, with the contribution […]
Read moreSexual Politics in November 2017
In Europe, the rise of the extreme right – which implies both the deepening of racism and a threat to gender and sexuality related rights – continued its course. Its scariest demonstration was seen in Poland where, on November 11th, a far-right rally gathered over twenty thousand people who shouted dogmatic religious and nationalist […]
Read moreEuropean Parliamentary Forum letter against Brazil’s abortion ban
BRUSSELS, 24 November – The EPF Executive Committee has written to the Parliament of Brazil expressing its strong concern at a proposed constitutional amendment which could result in a tightening of Brazil’s already restrictive law on abortion. Abortion is illegal in Brazil, except when pregnancy is due to rape, endangers the mother’s life or if […]
Read moreCompilation about Amendment No. 181/2015 – the right to abortion in Brazil
Brazilian male MPs chant ‘abortion no’ after voting to ban terminations for pregnant rape victims – The Independent Brazilian Congressional committee votes to ban all abortions – Reuters Brazilian Women Prepare to Protest Full Abortion Ban – teleSUR Will Brazil’s Congress Turn Its Back on Women and Girls? – Human Rights Watch Brazil’s Congress wants to ban […]
Read more390 signatures against abortion ban in Brazil
This letter was read at the closing session of the Special Meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Population and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, held at Santiago (Chile), on November 9, 2017. Good afternoon to all, Activists and members of civil society who were gathered at the Special Meeting of […]
Read moreBrazilian conservatives react to Judith Butler

Philosopher Judith Butler visited Brazil to launch two books and participate in the International Colloquium on the Ends of Democracy at SESC Vila Mariana in São Paulo. On this occasion conservative forces mobilized against her presence in the country. They made Butler an icon of “gender ideology” and a political target, even when in none […]
Read moreChild Marriage compilation on October 2017
Turkey introduced a draft bill allowing religious leaders to perform civil marriage ceremonies. Women’s rights activists claim it will only make it harder to monitor the ceremonies in order to prevent child marriages and it will distance Turkey from secularism, while authorities insist the law will be passed. Indian Supreme Court ruled that having sex with a minor, which […]
Read moreTestimonies on #metoo
By Peggy Antrobus On 21 October 2017 Today is the 43rd anniversary of the murders of my two younger sisters, Jenny and June. They were murdered by Jenny’s boyfriend who, after years of manipulating her into submission, would not accept her decision to end the relationship. Her friends knew that he was physically abusive. Her […]
Read moreSexual Politics in October 2017
October began with the International Day of the Girl on the 11th when the media attention was towards highlighting how access to education, especially in some countries, is one of the main causes of the gender gap between men and women. The occasion has also given space for the circulation of updated information on child marriage. […]
Read moreSexual politics in Brazil: the conservative restoration a further step ahead #2

In order to properly situate sexual politics in Brazil (while paying special attention to abortion), we must connect it to the broader political scenario of the country as a whole. As reported last month, Brazilian political institutions are becoming increasingly fragile. President Michel Temer’s approval rating stands at 3%, making him the most unpopular president […]
Read moreThe Anatrella case and the silence from the “family defenders”
What happens when a big name of the anti-gender crusade is involved in a sex scandal? Rogério Diniz Junqueira* Monsignor Tony Anatrella is a prominent name in the galaxy of anti-gender “experts”. A French Catholic priest of the diocese of Paris and a psychotherapist, he has been for years a reference for the ultraconservative Catholic […]
Read moreReport of the IE on protection against violence and discrimination based on SOGI
Below you will find the summary for the report of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Vitit Muntarbhorn, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 32/2: The theme of the present report is “Embrace diversity and energize humanity”. Key developments in 2017 are noted, particularly in […]
Read moreReport ‘Defending the UN Independent Expert on SOGI’
The IE SOGI mandate was created through UN Human Rights Council resolution A/HRC/RES/32/2 in June of last year and was confirmed through six separate votes over the UNGA session in 2016. Despite this comprehensive process of approval, some UN Member States insist on opposing any decision that links sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and […]
Read moreHealth and Human Rights Journal – Vol 19, Issue 1, June 2017
Table of Contents Special Section: Abortion and Human Rights GUEST EDITORS Alicia Ely Yamin, Paola Bergallo, and Marge Berer EDITORIAL Narratives of Essentialism and Exceptionalism: The Challenges and Possibilities of Using Human Rights to Improve Access to Safe Abortion Alicia Ely Yamin and Paola Bergallo DISCUSSION Abortion Law and Policy Around the World: In Search […]
Read moreOverdiagnosed but Underserved: Trans Health Survey
The Trans Health Survey is the result of the work of Transgender Europe (TGEU) and its partner organisations Women’s Initiative Supportive Group (WISG), Trans-Fuzja, Daniela Fundación, Gayten LGBT, and the Riksförbundet för homosexuellas, bisexuellas, transpersoners och queeras rättigheter (RFSL). Together, our goal was to provide a deeper understanding of the healthcare situation of trans people […]
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