LGBT Ally Training in Paraguay

– Manuel Colon, former PCV

PC Paraguay (Jopara)

On Friday, November 2, 2012, Peace Corps – Paraguay hosted its first ever LGBT ally training with 16 participants, volunteers and staff, in attendance. The training comes as a response to the 2011 all volunteer survey (AVS) that stated roughly 25% of the incidents of harassment received by volunteers as a result of their sexual orientation came from either volunteer peers or staff. Peace Corps Headquarters is currently in the process of creating a training packet to address this issue specifically, but has yet to release anything more than the outline. Jopara, Paraguay’s volunteer diversity group, decided to step in and move forward with organizing and facilitating the training instead. Topics covered in the training included facts and history of LGBT events and legislation, correct terminology usage, a guided experience of the coming out process, and an overview of the in-country LGBT resources. Upon termination of the training, all participants were awarded “safe space” stickers to be placed anywhere of their choosing (desks, doors, notebooks, etc) to communicate their dedication as an ally to the LGBT community.

LGBT Resources in Paraguay

LGBT Resources in Paraguay

Organizations

Somosgay

• República De Colombia 141 C/ Yegros.
• (21) 495802, (+595) 981 616 203
• Mon-Th 14:00 to 22:00 Fri. and Sat. 14:00 to 00:00
• comunicacion@somosgay.org
• http://somosgay.org/
• Marcha de Orgullo, Besaton
• Their center functions as a temporary relief shelter for LGBT youth who are homeless, they offer HIV screenings, and a general space to be rented for events

Paragay

• Cerro Cora 1564 entre Perú e Irrazabal, Asunción
• 200211 – 232821
• paragay.org@gmail.com
• Marcha para la Igualdad, LesBiGayTrans Festival de Cine

Aireana- lesbian organization

• Eligio Ayala 907 entre EEUU y Tacuary
• 21 447976
• aireanaparaguay@gmail.com
• http://www.aireana.org.py/
• La Serafina Bar, Friday night events, Feminist Conferences, Radio Show, Marcha para la Igualdad, LesBiGayTrans Festival de Cine

Panambi- Trans community

• panambi.paraguay.9@facebook.com
• Marcha para la Igualdad, LesBiGayTrans Festival de Cine

Grupo Ñepyru- Trans community and people living with HIV

• O’leary 177 c/Cap. Carmelo Peralta y Padrea Molas, Cnl. Oveido
• 0521200059
• http://www.nepyru.neositios.com
•  Services and focus: HIV screenings and education, human rights

Todo Mejora- Paraguay- entire LGBT community

• Facebook page and YouTube account
• A project that offers resources and support to LGBT youth
• Offers a collection of videos on YouTube from LGBT Paraguayans sending messages of hope and support to LGBT youth for the future

LGBT Friendly Spaces

Babylon Dance

• Dance club and bar
• 760 25 de Mayo c/ Tacuari

Hollywood Dance

• Dance Club
• Independencia Nacional c/ Teniente Farina
• 0982.488.652

Frogus Karaoke Gay

• Estrella 852 entre Montevideo & Juan de Ayolas

La Serafina

• Feminist Safe Space with Books, Internet, Space to Hang Out
• Monday-Friday 9am-12pm and 1pm-5pm/Converted into a restaurant + bar and event space on Friday nights 8pm-1am
• Eligio Ayala 907 c/Tacuary
• 0921.447.976

Peace Corps – Paraguay Resources

Peace Corps Medical Officers/Counselors/ Security Officer

Jopara, Volunteer Diversity Group

Peer Support Network

You can contact Manuel at macolon2@gmail.com