Petrelis Files

July 19: Change in location and focus of IGLHRC event


Hi Michael,

Here’s the update from IGLHRC. I’ve emailed Paula and let her assistant know that you are available to talk tomorrow morning 9-10 am PST. I’ve also left a message and emailed Geoffrey and suggested that he give you a call today if possible. I’ve also forwarded to them your request to list the cities and details of the other events.

If I can be of further assistance at this time, please give me a call.

Thanks for your patience.

Sincerely,
Ellen


--

Ellen Vaz
Communications Coordinator
Tel: 212.229.0540
Fax: 212.229.0749



For Immediate Release
July 13, 2006
Media Contact: Geoffrey Knox: 212-229-0540
Staff Contact: Lisa Levy: 212-430-6019


July 19: Change in location and focus of IGLHRC event


WHAT: The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), Human Rights Watch (HRW), National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center and SoulforceNYC invite all interested advocates to participate in Thinking Globally, Acting Locally: Human Rights, Iran, and LGBT Advocacy, a community dialogue about the persecution faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Iran and how activists in the West can responsibly engage in supporting our colleagues in Iran as well as Iranian LGBT people in New York and elsewhere.

WHO: Speakers include:

Paula Ettelbrick, Executive Director of IGLHRC
Parvez Sharma, Director of the new documentary film, “In the Name of Allah”
Hadi Ghaemi, Iran Researcher, Human Rights Watch
Scott Long, Director of LGBT Rights Program, Human Rights Watch

Moderated by Hossein Alizadeh, IGLHRC

WHY: Numerous reports and stories of persecution faced by gay men and lesbians in Iran have been circulating. In particular, the executions of two young Iranian men last year on July 19 have been reported as gay-related deaths, prompting some activists to call for demonstrations in local communities to draw attention to these issues on the year anniversary of their hangings. This call raises important questions for human rights and LGBT advocates concerned about human rights violations globally, but unsure of how best to engage and respond.

How do we situate campaigns for LGBT rights in the context of other human rights issues such as the death penalty and women’s rights?
How do we respond in situations where facts are contested and documentation difficult?
What are the responsibilities--and dangers--for Western campaigners wanting to think globally and act locally?
How do we avoid reinforcing stereotypes and playing into hostilities prompted by our own government?

These are not abstract questions or ones relevant only to activists for sexual rights. While Iran will be emphasized in this discussion, the questions are relevant for all human rights advocates as we grapple with how global calls for justice can be made meaningful in the face of persecution and global hostilities.

While IGLHRC had initially offered to coordinate a public vigil to protest the use of the death penalty as a punishment for sexually-based crimes in Iran and elsewhere, conversations with colleagues have made clear that in New York City, dialogue, not demonstrations, would be the most productive way to build longer term strategies and understandings of how best to respond to human rights violations around the world.

WHEN: Wednesday, July 19, 2006
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

WHERE: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, 208 West 13th Street between 7th & 8th Ave, New York, New York