United Nations, New York, USA, November 20 2015 – Daniela Mercury, Brazilian singer, activist and UN Equality Champion, briefs journalists on the protection of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in Latin America. Joining her in the briefing were her wife, Malu Verosa Mercury; and Charles Radcliffe, Officer-in-Charge of the New York Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Photos by: Luiz Rampelotto/EuropaNewswire
United Nations, November 20 2015
At a special event on LGBTI rights in Latin America, Senior UN adviser on LGBT rights Charles Radcliffe, said that while
“some of the most progressive laws in the world have been put in place” in the region, “some of the highest levels of hate crimes, prejudice and stigma” are also taking place.
“A lot of people are surprised when they hear about the enormous progress that has been made in many countries in Latin America. Some of the most progressive laws in the world have been put in place. Very innovative new social programmes to try to address social and economic exclusion and marginalization have been put in place in some of the biggest cities in Latin America. But this is a region that is a paradox, because you know, on the one hand you have the best laws, in the world but on the other some of the highest levels of hate crimes, prejudice and stigma which take longer to dismantle.”
Participating in the event, “Protecting the Rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (LGBTI) People in Latin America: A Decade of Progress,” was renowned Brazilian singer Daniela Mercury, who in 2013 made public her relationship with journalist Malu Verçosa, who she later married.
Mercury said
“I realized that that I was now being perceived as a gay artist, and therefore have less power. So, I am trying to bring affirmation to my art, so as to make it clear that I am not a minority, I am Daniela Mercury and I am not going to be placed where others want to place me.”
At an earlier press conference, Mercury said that after coming out her life “entered a dangerous place, socially.”
Daniela Mercury, Brazilian singer, activist and UN Equality Champion, briefs journalists on the protection of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in Latin America. Joining her in the briefing were her wife, Malu Verosa Mercury; and Charles Radcliffe, Officer-in-Charge of the New York Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Photos by: Luiz Rampelotto/EuropaNewswire
She said she felt
“excluded from normal interaction, from normal life, because people think that a marriage between two women is not normal.”
Mercury, who is UNICEF Country Ambassador for Brazil, said “we live in a world where there is still a lot of violence, and I ask, why are people uncomfortable with other people’s love?”
Source: UNIFeed, EuropaNewswire