PRESS RELEASE OF GENDER IDENTITY ASSOCIATION OF ANDALUSIA

(ASOCIACIÓN DE IDENTIDAD DE GÉNERO DE ANDALUCÍA)

Granada, Spain, April 26, 2006

 

 

PRESS RELEASE: 

English : Español : Français : Italiano

 


 

THE ENSUING PROTEST:

 

DIARY OF EVENTS, by Kim Pérez

5-02-065-03-06 ;  5-04-065-05-065-06-065-07-065-08-065-09-065-10-065-15-066-02-06

 

See also:

Note of Solidarity from European TransGender Network (TGEU)

 

News articles:

4-26-06:  El Mundo: "La coordinadora de transexuales del PSOE hará huelga de hambre ante el 'olvido' del Gobierno"
5-04-06:  ABC.es: "Justicia modificará el Registro Civil para que las personas transexuales cambien de género"

5-06-06:  Europa Press: "El Gobierno anunciará la semana próxima avances en las demandas de colectivos transexuales sobre la Ley de Identidad"

5-06-06:  La Nueva España: "El cardenal Amigo defiende una ley para los transexuales"

5-09-06:  Europa Press: "López Aguilar anunciará mañana en el Congreso la aprobación "inminente" de la Ley de Identidad para Transexuales"

 


 

THE VICTORY IN SPAIN:

 

5-10-06:  Terra.es: "Carla Antonelli celebra anuncio Justicia y retira huelga hambre" 

("Carla Antonelli celebrates Justice announcement and withdraws hunger strike")

 

5-10-06:  EL PAÍS:  "López Aguilar anuncia que el Gobierno impulsará la Ley de Identidad antes del 30 de junio: La norma permitirá a los transexuales adaptar el nombre y el sexo de sus documentos a su “identidad sentida” 

("López Aguilar announces that the Government will process the Law of Identity before June 30: The law will permit the transsexuals to obtain identity documents in the name and the sex of their “felt identity”")

 

5-15-06:  Kim Pérez:  "Historia de tres semanas"

5-15-06:  Kim Pérez:  "History of Three Weeks" (translation by Jane Brook)

 

6-02-06:  Kim Pérez:  "The Spanish Government has passed today, June the 2th 2006, the Gender Identity Bill, as asked by transsexual organizations. Now, the Bill must be transferred to the Cortes (Parliament) for its discussion."
 

6-03-06:  PFC News (UK): "Spanish Campaigners Celebrate Major Step Forward", by Christine Burns.

 

[V 6-03-06]

 


 

English :  

 

Dear Friend,

 

I hereby inform you about a situation which oblige us to react with strength.

 

After the law related to marriage for homosexuals, we were waiting for Gender Identity Act for very soon. The Government had declared publicly / in public that our bill would be tabled in Parliament during the first semester of 2006.

 

This semester went by without the bill being tabled to parliament. Justice Ministry's non official declarations which are dated only the day before yesterday now announce "there is no date" and "it may be before or after this summer".

 

This brought Carla Antonelli to make a decision very nasty to her as a Socialist Party militant and as a coordinator of the trans' section of this one: to announce she will go on hunger strike on the 15th may if the government have not decided on a date before the 15th May.  

 

Therefore, Trans' movement in spain rallied. We begun to declare ourself in a complete solidarity and if necessary and if there is no answer, actions will be undertaken afterward. The medias begun to know it and I'm sure they are interested.

 

Now, we shall need international support. It's for this I write you by asking you to pass it to whom you will want, in a first time for information purpose, and if necessary for call to solidarity purpose, in a very sensitive period where a Government which could recognize homosexuals rights doesn't seem to understand the urgency of transsexuals claims.

 

I send you enclosed to this letter the press release that our organization of Andalusia wrote. You can follow the actuality on www.CarlaAntonelli.com.  

 

Friendly Militant Kisses.

 

Kim Pérez Fernández-Fígares

Chairwoman of the Association of Gender Identity of Andalusia (Asociación de Identidad de Género de Andalucía)

 

 

PRESS RELEASE OF GENDER IDENTITY ASSOCIATION OF ANDALUSIA (ASOCIACIÓN DE IDENTIDAD DE IDENTIDAD DE GÉNERO DE ANDALUCÍA).

 

Our rights currently are going through a critical period. Or they are recognized, according to the promise made par the socialist party in which we still pin all our hopes, or they are posponed indefinitely with all the risks of non fulfilment this suppose.

 

The transsexual person go having serious problems of documentation, which would make possible our insertion in vocational life, and of public health care, which we neither must nor can carry on expecting.

 

Human rights are not to be granted but are to be recognized; and we have for two years grounded hopes one will recognize fully those of this human group which is the transsexual community.

 

The political life in a democratic society is based on the commitment and the faith in adquired commitments .

 

For this reason, the Gender Identity Association of Andalucia (Asociación de Identidad de Género de Andalucía) supports fully our sister and fellow Carla Antonelli as transsexual activist and Spanish Workers Socialist Party (Partido Socialisto Obrero Español) militant given what take over commitments and deserve a full reliance in one's favour means.

 

We look at the calandar and also hope the party which have recognized the rights and the human dignity of a part of the GLBT movement, can honour its commitment to keep up recognizing those of the other of the parts, the one made up of transsexuals.

 

The international dimension also must be taken into account. The expectancy showing evidence of the avant-garde position of our country which has been provoked worldwide by the legislation put in force until now, remain lively faced to the legislation to come and cannot be thwarted. The GLBT movement, currently very linked, is particularly attentive. The same which is pleased with what was done until now, all thing considered shall go on expecting the reform process to continue.

 

Meanwhile, the transsexuals, as all the GLBT movement, which thus has made up our unity, we shall keep up by our mobilization in order to get the rights we cannot renounce become law. 

 

Grenade (Grandada), the 26th April 2006.

 

Kim Pérez Fernández-Figares (transiya@yahoo.es),    

Chairwoman of the Gender Identity Association of Andalucia (Asociación de Identidad de Género de Andalucía).

Translated into english by Marlène Riwkeh Mèges and Karine Solène Espineira of the Association Sans Contrefaçon – SC (Marseilles - karine.espineira@sans-contrefacon.com) and Groupe Activiste Trans' – GAT (Paris - gataction@netcourrier.com).

 

 

 


 

Español :

 

Estimada/o amiga/o,

 

Vengo con la presente carta informarte de una situación que obliga a nosotros en reaccionar con fuerza. 

 

Después de la ley en relación con casamiento para los homosexuales, esperabamos por la Ley de Identidad de género por muy pronto. El gobierno declaró en público que nuestro proyecto de ley sería entablado al parlamento durante el primero semestre de 2006.

 

Pasó este semestre sin que sea entablado al Parlamento el proyecto de ley. Declaraciones oficiosas que soló fecha de anteayer anuncian que "no hay fecha" y que "quizá que será por antes o después de este verano".

 

Ello indujo a Carla Antonelli en tomar una decisión muy dura para ella como militante del Partido Socialista y coordinadora de la sección trans' del mismo: anunciar que esta por declararse en huelga de hambre el 15 de Mayo si el govierno no ha fijado una fecha antes del 15 de Mayo.

 

Por consequencia, el moviento trans' se mobilizó. Empezamos en declararnos totalmente solidario y, si se necesita e si no hay respuesta, las acciones luego serán emprendidas. Los medias empezaron en saber y soy segura que son interesados.

 

Ahora, necesitaremos de un apoyo internacional. Esta por eso que vos escribo, pidendote de hacer pasar esta carta a quien querrás a fin de información en un tiempo primero, y en caso de necesidad a fin de llamamiento a la solidaridad, en un periodo muy sensible adonde un gobierno que supo reconocer los derechos de las/os homosexuales no parace entender la urgencia de las reivendicaciones transexuales.

 

Te envio junto con esta carta el comunicado a la prensa que nuestra organización de Andalucia escribió. Podrás seguir la actualidad en www.CarlaAntonelli.com.  

 

Besos Amigables y Militantes.

 

Kim Pérez Fernández-Fígares

Presidenta de la Asociación de Identidad de Género de Andalucía

 

 

COMUNICADO DE LA ASOCIACIÓN DE IDENTIDAD DE GÉNERO DE ANDALUCÍA

 

Nuestros derechos se encuentran en este momento en una fase crucial.

 

O son reconocidos, conforme a la palabra dada por el Partido Socialista, en la que seguimos confiando, o son aplazados sine die, con todos los riesgos de incumplimiento que ello supone.

 

Las personas transexuales seguimos teniendo graves problemas de documentación, que haga posible nuestra inserción en la vida laboral, y de atención pública sanitaria, que ya no deben ni pueden seguir esperando.

 

Los derechos humanos no se conceden, sino que se reconocen; y hace dos años que tenemos fundadas esperanzas de que se reconozcan con plenitud los de este grupo humano que es la comunidad transexual.

 

La vida política, en una sociedad democrática, está fundada en el compromiso y en la confianza en los compromisos adquiridos.

 

Por este motivo, la Asociación de Identidad de Género de Andalucía apoya plenamente la actitud de nuestra hermana y compañera Carla Antonelli como activista transexual y como militante del Partido Socialista Obrero Español, puesto que significa asumir unos compromisos y merecer plena confianza en su defensa.

 

Miramos el calendario, y confiamos también en que el partido que ha reconocido los derechos y la dignidad humana de una parte del movimiento GLBT, los y las homosexuales, sepa cumplir también su compromiso de seguir reconociendo los de otra de las partes, la formada por los y las transexuales.

 

La dimensión internacional también debe ser tenida en cuenta. La expectación reconocedora de la posición de vanguardia de nuestro país, que ha sido despertada en todo el mundo por la legislación hasta ahora puesta en vigor, sigue despierta ante la ley que tiene que llegar, y no puede ser decepcionada. El movimiento GLBT, muy comunicado actualmente, está particularmente atento. Lo mismo que se ha aplaudido lo hasta ahora realizado, se seguirá  esperando en todos los medios la continuación del proceso de reformas.

 

Mientras tanto, los y las transexuales, lo mismo que todo el movimiento GLBT, que así ha forjado nuestra unidad, seguiremos con nuestra movilización para conseguir la regulación de unos derechos a los que no podemos renunciar.

 

Granada, 26 de abril de 2006

 

Kim Pérez Fernández-Fígares (transiya@yahoo.es),    

Presidenta de la Asociación de Identidad de Género de Andalucía

Con la participación de Marlène Riwkeh Mèges and Karine Solène Espineira de Sans Contrefaçon – SC (Marsella - karine.espineira@sans-contrefacon.com) du Groupe Activiste Trans' – GAT (París - gataction@netcourrier.com).

 

 


 

Français :

 

Chère Amie,

 

Je viens par la présente te faire part d'une situation qui nous oblige à réagir en force.

 

Après la Loi relative au Mariage pour les homosexuels, nous attendions la Loi d'Identité de Genre pour très bientôt le Gouvernement on avait déclaré publiquement que notre Loi serait soumise au Parlement au cours du premier trimestre de 2006.

 

Ce trimestre s'est écoulé sans que  le projet de loi soit soumis au parlement. Des déclarations officieuses du Ministère de la Justice qui datent seulement  d'avant-hier annoncent maintenant qu' "il n'y a pas de date", et que "ce sera peut-être avant ou après cet été".

 

Cela a amené Carla Antonelli à prendre une décision très dure pour elle,   en sa qualité de militante du Parti Socialiste et Coordinatrice de de la section Trans de celui-ci: annoncer qu'elle se mettra en grève de faim le 15 mai, si le Gouvernement n'a pas arrêté une date avant le 15 mai.

 

En conséquence, le mouvement trans en Espagne s'est mobilisé. Nous  avons commencé par nous déclarer totalement solidaires et, s'il le faut et s'il n'a pas de réponse, les actions seront ensuite entreprises. Les médias ont commencé à savoir et je suis sûre qu'ils sont intéressés.

 

Présentement, il nous faudra le soutien international. C'est pour ça que je t'écris, en te demandant de faire passer cette lettre à qui tu voudras, dans un premier temps aux fins d'information, et en cas de nécessité aux fins d'appel à la  solidarité, dans une période très sensible où un Gouvernement qui a su reconnaître les droits des homosexuels, ne semble ne pas comprendre/saisir l'urgence des revendications transsexuelles.

 

Je t'envoie, joint à la présente, le Communiqué que notre Association d'Andalousie a rédigé. Tu pourras suivre toute l'actualité sur www.CarlaAntonelli.com.  

 

Bises Amicales et Militantes.

 

Kim Pérez Fernández-Fígares

Présidente de l'Association d'Identité de Genre d'Andalousie (Asociación de Identidad de Género de Andalucía)

 

 

COMMUNIQUE DE L'ASSOCIATION D'IDENTITE DE GENRE D'ANDALOUSIE (ASOCIACIÓN DE IDENTIDAD DE GÉNERO DE ANDALUCÍA)

 

Nos droits traversent actuellement une période critique, ou ils sont reconnus, conformément à la parole donnée par le Parti Socialiste, en lequel nous plaçons toujours nos espoirs, ou sont reportés sine die, avec tous les risques de non tenue des engagements que cela suppose.

 

Les personnes transsexuelles continuent à avoir de graves problèmes de papiers, qui rendraient possible notre insertion dans la vie professionnelle, et de soins médicaux publics, que nous ne devons ni pouvons déjà plus espérer.

 

Les droits humains ne s'octroient pas mais se reconnaissent; et ça fait des années que nous avons des espoirs fondés que soient reconnus pleinement ceux de ce groupe humain qui est la communauté transsexuelle.

 

La vie politique, dans une société démocratique, est fondée sur l'engagement et la confiance en les engagements acquis.

 

Pour ce motif, l'Association d'Identité de Genre d'Andalousie (Asociación de Identidad de Género de Andalucía) soutient pleinement l'action de notre sœur et camarade Carla Antonelli comme activiste transsexuelle et militante du Parti Socialiste Ouvrier Espagnol, étant donné qu'elle signifie assumer des engagements et mériter la pleine confiance en sa faveur.

 

Nous regardons le calendrier, et nous avons également bon espoir que le parti qui a reconnu les droits et la dignité humaine d'une partie du mouvement LGBT, les homossexuelLEs, sera également tenir ses engagements à continuer à reconnaître ceux d'une autre partie, celle formée par les transexuel(le)s.

 

La dimension internationale doit également être prise en compte. L'impatience attestant de la position d'avant garde de notre pays, qui a été suscitée dans le monde entier par la législation en vigueur jusqu'à maintenant, demeure vif en présence de la loi à venir, et ne peut être déçu. Le mouvement LGBT, actuellement très soudé, est particulièrement attentif. Le même qui s'est félicité de ce qui a été réalisé jusqu'à maintenant, continuera en dépit de tout à espérer la poursuite du processus de réforme.

 

Entre temps, les transsexuelLEs, de même que tout le mouvement LGBT, qui a ainsi forgé notre unité, nous poursuivrons par notre mobilisation pour obtenir que nos droits auxquels nous ne pouvons renoncer deviennent loi.

 

Grenade, le 26 avril 2006

 

Kim Pérez Fernández-Fígares (transiya@yahoo.es),    

Présidente de l'Association d'Identité de Genre d'Andalousie (Asociación de Identidad de Género de Andalucía)

 

Traduit en Français par Marlène Riwkeh Mèges and Karine Solène Espineira de Sans Contrefaçon – SC (Marseille - karine.espineira@sans-contrefacon.com) du Groupe Activiste Trans' – GAT (Paris - gataction@netcourrier.com).

 

 

 


 

Italiano :

 

Cara/o Amica/o,

 

Vengo colla presenta lettera informarti d'una situazione che noi obbliga a reagire con forza.

 

Doppo della legge in relazione col matrimonio per gli omossesuali, spettavamo la legge d'identità di género per molto presto. Il governo dichiarò in pubblico che sarebbe sottoposto al Parlamento nostro progetto di legge durante il primo semestre di 2006.

 

Corse questo semestre senza che sia sottoposto al Parlamento il progetto di legge. Delle dichiarazioni ufficiose che solo data del altro ieri anunziano che "non c'è data" e che forse sarà per primo o dopo del estate".

 

Questo portò a Carla Antonelli a prendere una decisione molto dura per essa come militante del Partito Socialista y coordinatrice della sezzione trans' del stesso: anunziare che sta per dichiararsi in sciopero della fame il 15 di maggio se il governo non ha fissato una data primo del 15 di maggio.

 

Di conseguenza, il movimento trans' si mobilizzò. Cominciammo a dichiararsi totalmente solidari e, se bisogna o non c'è no risposta, le azioni poi saranno intraprese. I media cominciarono a sapere e sono sicura che sono interessati.

 

Adesso bisogniamo il appoggio internazionale. È per cio che ti scrivo, demandandoti fare pasare questa lettera chi vorrai, nel un primo tempo al scopo d'informazione, ed in caso di bisogno al scopo di invito a la solidarietà, in un periodo molto sensibile dove un governo che seppe riconoscere i diritti delle degli omosessuali non sembra capire la urgenza delle rivendicazioni transessuali.

 

Ti invio giunto con questa lettera il comunicato stampa che nostra organizzazione d'Andalucia scrisse. Potrai seguire la attualità su www.CarlaAntonelli.com.  

 

Baci Amichevoli e Militanti.

 

Kim Pérez Fernández-Fígares

Presidente della Associazione d'Identità di Genere d'Andalusia

(Asociación de Identidad de Género de Andalucía)

 

 

COMUNICATO STAMPA DELL'ASSOCIAZIONE D'IDENTITÀ DI GENERE D'ANDALUSIA (ASOCIACIÓN DE IDENTIDAD DE GÉNERO) 

 

Diritti nostri si trovano in una fase decisiva.

 

O sono riconosciuti conforme alla parola data del Partito Socialista della quale continuiamo a confidare o vengono rinviati Sine Die con tutti i rischi di non-compimento che questo suppone.

 

Le persone transessuali seguitiamo ad avere dei problemi seri di documentazione che faccia possibile la nostra inserzione nella vita laborativa, e d'assistenza sanitaria pubblica che gia non dobbiamo ni possiamo  continuare a sperare. 

 

Non si concedono i diritti ma si riconoscono; due anni fa che abbiamo sperande fondate che si riconoscano  pienamente quelli di questo gruppo umano che é la communità transessuale.

 

È fondata la vita politica in una Societa democratica sul compromesso e la fiducia nel compromessi acquisiti.

 

Per questo motivo, la Associazione d'Identità di Genere d'Andalusia (Associación de Identidad de Género de Andalucia) appoggia pienamente l'azione della nostra sorella e compagna Carla Antonelli come attivista transessuale e militante del Partito Socialista Operaio Spagnolo (Partido Socialista Obrero Español) dacchè significa assumere le suoi impegni e meritare il pieno affidamento in favore sua.

 

Riguardiamo il calendario, e si fidiamo del Partito che ha riconosciuto i diritti e la dignità umana d'una parte del movimento GLBT, gli e le omosessuali, sappia compire anche il suo impegno a seguitare a riconoscere quelli delle altre delle parti, questa composta dalle e dai transessuali.

 

Deve essere anche presa in conto la dimensione internazionale. L'aspettiva  riconoscitora della posizione riconoscitora della posizione d'avanguardia del paese nostro, che viene scossa di fronte la legge che ha d'arrivare e non può essere deluso. Il movimento GLBT, attualmente molto unito, sta molto vigile. Il stesso che ha applaudito quello realizzato fino ad adesso, seguiterà a sperare nonostante tutto nella continuazione del processo di riforme.

 

Frattanto, le e i transessuali, il stesso da tutto il movimento GLBT, che cosi ha forgiato la nostra unita, continueremo con nostra mobilizzazione per ottenere che diventino legge i nostri diritti ai quali non possiamo rinunziare.

 

Granada, 26 aprile 2006

 

 Kim Pérez Fernández-Fígares (transiya@yahoo.es),    

Presidente della Associazione d'Identità di Genere d'Andalusia

 (Asociación de Identidad de Género de Andalucía)

 

Tradotto da Marlène Riwkeh Mèges e Karine Solène Espineira della Associazione Sans Contrefaçon – SC (Marsiglia - karine.espineira@sans-contrefacon.com) e del Groupe Activiste Trans' – GAT (Parigi - gataction@netcourrier.com).

 

 

 


 

DIARY OF EVENTS (In English):
by Kim Pérez

 

5-02-065-03-065-04-065-05-065-06-06 5-07-06

5-08-065-09-065-10-065-15-066-02-06

 

 

From: Kim Pérez 
Sent: 02 May 2006 21:05
Subject: Diary -13

DIARY

DAY -13 BEFORE TRANS HUNGER STRIKE IN SPAIN

This evening, Chairwomen Gina Serra, from ATC Libertad (Catalonia) and
Andrea Muñiz, fromTransexualidad Euskadi (Basque Country) have decided
also join the hunger strike, proposed by Carla Antonelli. Four activists
are now committed to strike if the Government does not fix a date for
presenting the Gender Identity Bill to Parliament.

This morning, some papers and many digital publications have relayed the
decision of Kim Perez, as Chairwoman of an Andalusian trans
organization, to join the strike, and her appeal to the Andalusian
Ombudsman to mediate with the Government.

We have received also very important support from Press For Change, the
European TransGender Network, Crisalide Azione Trans,  and Lynn Conway.
We have also sent a letter to LesBiGay organizations to ask for
solidarity. Some gay volunteers and friends are beginning to cooperate
with us.

At 3h p.m. our news have been seen at Telecinco, a nationwide network.
Three trans women (Manuela Rute, Sofia Lopez and Kim Perez) have been
interviewed, speaking about our labour and documentation problems.

ENDS
 

 

 

From: Kim Pérez
Sent: 03 May 2006 17:01
Subject: Diary minus12


DIARY

DAY MINUS 12 BEFORE THE TRANS HUNGER STRIKE IN SPAIN

In the morning, the  Minister of Justice, "accosted" by some
journalists, has said publicly that our Gender Identity Bill will be
submitted during 2006.

This news has two interpretations: the bad one, that the Government will
again try to delay for six or seven  submission to Parliament for six or
seven months.

The good one, that the Government is aware of the situation and begins
to react.

The problem which causes the hunger strike is the breaking of a previous
ministerial declaration about the submission of this Bill in the first
three months of 2006, and more deeply, our suspicion the Government
wants to come back and to give up the Bill.

At present, in Spain the Gender Identity Bill is necessary for
rationalise the documentation for post-op transsexuals; pre-op and
non-op transsexuals having no rights at all.

After the new Marriage Law, without distinction of sex, there is no
problem nor distinction for everybody.

Today the big press and news agencies began to mobilize, and we have
continuous calls in our phones.

ENDS

 


 

From: Kim Pérez
Sent: Thursday, May 04, 2006 2:45 PM
Subject: Day minus 11


DIARY

DAY MINUS 11 BEFORE TRANS HUNGER STRIKE IN SPAIN

The declaration, yesterday, of the Minister of Justice put us in a doubt: if the Government continues in preparing the Gender Identity Bill or if it wants to include the norms about us in a new Law for the Registry.

We have asked the Socialist Party and been assured the Gender Identity Bill continues its travel. We could never accept this Registry Law, because the Gender Identity Bill would be suddenly deleted. I have written today to the Minister of Justice, asking for clarification.

Two new activist have joined us today: the Roman Catholic homosexual priest, José Mantero, expelled by the Church, (Andalusia) and the former member of the LGBT Group of the Socialist Party, Jaume d'Urgell (Catalonia) Both have declared their committment to the hunger strike.

Media pression goes up. Nationwide newspaper El Mundo publishes today half a page to the hunger strike, with a photograph of Carla Antonelli.

 

ENDS

 

 

 

From: Kim Pérez
Sent: Friday, May 05, 2006 2:43 PM
Subject: Day -10

DIARY

DAY MINUS 10 BEFORE TRANS HUNGER STRIKE

Today in the morning, the Cardinal Archbishop of Seville has supported the transsexual position, asking for a Gender Identity Bill, in a historical committment by a very high figure of the Roman Catholical Church.

Cardinal Amigo, a psychologist, has briefly exposed a scientific view about transsexuality.

From the Minister of Justice's bureau, we have been reassured that the Gender Identity Bill will be specific and different from the future technical Registry Bill, as we want.

Many movements have been registered today in Government´ bureaus, and we have seen today a little light of hope.

 

ENDS

 


From: Kim Pérez
Sent: Saturday, May 06, 2006 7:38 PM
Subject: DAY MINUS 9

DIARY

DAY MINUS 9 BEFORE TRANS HUNGER STRIKE IN SPAIN

Majority of transsexual organizations in Spain have had today, May the 7th, a meeting with the Socialist Party.

We have been almost unanimous in our revendications of a Gender Identity Bill submitted to the Parliament before June the 30th.

Pedro Zerolo, in representation of his Party, has announced that the Government will do a declaration in this sense in the next week.

Activist which have declarated their will to go to a hunger strike have said that they'll go if Government doesn't honour this promise before Friday, May the 12th, before 24h00

Activists consider today a historical date, because transsexual movement has showed its strenght and its autonomy.
 

ENDS

 

 


From: Kim Pérez
Sent: Sunday, May 07, 2006 4:35 PM
Subject: Day minus 8

DIARY

DAY MINUS 8 BEFORE TRANS HUNGER STRIKE IN SPAIN

Today begins a stand-by period. It is a May summer, green and sweet, and flowers are covering our land.

We are expecting. We have some reasons for hope.

Minister of Justice has spoken, in a interview, in a sense we think interesting, about the Gender Identity Bill. It is the second time, in several days, he made a declaration about ours demands.

I have travelled today from Madrid to Granada (432 km) After the extreme tension of yesterday, (seven hours of preparation of the meeting among activists and organizations), three hours for the meeting itself with Pedro Zerolo, at the central bureau of the Socialist Party), and more hours for the after-meeting, I'm extremely tired.

But the stand-by period continues. Tomorrow, I will send you some links for the news of these days. And today, the first columnist's mention!
 

ENDS

 

 

 

From: Kim Pérez
Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 2:16 PM
Subject: Day minus 7
 

DIARY

 

DAY MINUS 7 BEFORE TRANS HUNGER STRIKE IN SPAIN

 

Waiting situation continues.

 

No news, and no communications for our part, for create an atmosphere of calm and reflection.

 

We are expecting the Government's declaration, presumably at the Parliament, as an answer to questions presented by two left-wing parties (IU and ERC) and probably by PSOE itself, the Government's party. 

 

You can find many of the news created in these days at these adresses (all in Spanish) :

 

General collection:
http://www.carlaantonelli.com/noticias.htm#5

 

After the meeting in the PSOE's head office:

http://www.europapress.es/europa2003/noticia.aspx?cod=20060506212630&tabID=1&ch=73

 

Declarations of Cardinal Archbishop of Seville:

http://www.lne.es/secciones/noticia.jsp?pNumEjemplar=1264&pIdSeccion=46&pIdNoticia=401486

 

ENDS

 

 

 

From: Kim Pérez
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 2:01 PM
Subject: Day minus 6

 

DIARY
 
DAY MINUS 6 BEFORE TRANS HUNGER STRIKE IN SPAIN
 
At 18.30 h, Europa Press agency has sent to the media a note (presumably coming from the Ministry of Justice), where is reassured that tomorrow [at the evening], Minister of Justice will answer at the Parliament to the questions presented by the Socialist Party and ERC.
 
The ERC question includes the possibility of public health service for integral transsexual processus everywhere in Spain [now existing just in the Commonwealth of Andalusia]
 
Europa Press' note adds that "Justice" [i.e., the Ministry]
considers law characteristics I understand on the line of the British Gender Identity Law, as we want.
 
In less than 24 hours we can have so an answer.
 
Yo have here a link to Europa Press' note:
 
http://www.europapress.es/europa2003/noticia.aspx?cod=20060509180844&tabID=1&ch=73

 

 

ENDS

 

 

 

 

From: Kim Pérez
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 5:43 PM
Subject: Day minus 5

DIARY

 
DAY MINUS 5 BEFORE TRANS HUNGER STRIKE IN SPAIN
 
In the afternoon, Minister of Justice is gone to the Parliament. He has answered a parliamentary question from his own Group, PSOE, and he has said the three essential points we asked for:
 
-Gender Identity Bill will be presented to the Parliament before June, the 30th
-Legal gender reassignation will depend just on social sex, certificated by psychological confirmation of gender dysphoria.
-It will be an administrative, not a judicial procedure.
 
After a while, an urgent interpellation from Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, ERC Group, has demanded an urgence procedure for this law and the extension to all Spain's  Commonwealths of the health public service for the entire transsexualization processus, existing now jus in Andalusia.
 
Minister has denied the urgence procedure, and has said other Commonwealths, as Extremadura, Aragon, Asturias, Catalonia have begun to legislate on this sense. That means he leaves to the regional Governments and Parliaments the norms about this subject.
 
Today, May the 10th 2006, united transsexual movement in Spain has reached we are respected.
 
Carla Antonelli, Andrea Muniz, Gina Serra and Kim Perez consider their demands and purposes are answered.
 
The hunger strike is over, and it will be remplaced by other ways of mobilization, until the Gender Identity Law will be a part of our legal system.
 
Thanks to all people, everywhere, that in these days have supported us, specially to Christine Burns, and Stephen Whittle from Press For Change and Lynn Conway, from USA, and, in France, Marlene Meges, from the GAT and Karine Espineira, from Sans Contrefacon, and personnally Jo and The Steering Committee of European TransGender Network
 
We have here some links about today's news:
 
 
 

 

ENDS

From: Kim Pérez
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2006 12:08 PM
Subject: History of Three Weeks (Spanish)


[link to English translation by Jane Brook]

 
Historia de tres semanas

En los años cuarenta, Gandhi combatió por la dignidad de la India con sus huelgas de hambre. 

La huelga de hambre es un arma muy fuerte. Es un arma muy especial, con la que no se toca la piel de nadie y quien pone los sufrimientos, o incluso las víctimas, es quien mantiene la iniciativa. Pero como todas las armas, hay que manejarla con mucho cuidado, no siempre es útil, y puede resultar muy peligrosa para quien la usa. 

En el caso de Gandhi, fue efectiva porque tenía enfrente a los ingleses, con su cultura liberal, democrática y humanitaria. Quería hacer saber algo que podían comprender perfectamente, una cuestión de dignidad. Si se hubiera enfrentado con otros poderes de la época, él en persona habría sido volatilizado y los indios masacrados y fin de la historia. 

Pero no hay que salvar ninguna distancia para hablar de lo nuestro. Porque para los y las transexuales también ha sido una cuestión de dignidad, hasta el punto de habernos visto en la necesidad de anunciar una huelga de hambre. Seremos muy pocos, mientras que los habitantes de la India eran millones. Pero en estas cuestiones, una sola persona es mucho. 

También en nuestro caso,  éste era el momento y no otro. Porque teníamos enfrente a un partido con un sentimiento solidario de izquierda que había demostrado ya su compromiso con los homosexuales y nuestra protesta no era por negarse a reconocer nuestros derechos humanos, sino por retrasarse en hacerlo. 

Lo mismo que el pulso entre Gandhi e Inglaterra se resolvió con honor para las dos partes, una por su valentía e inteligencia, y la otra por su humanidad, el nuestro también podría resolverse con honor para todos. 

Cuando pienso en estas semanas, tengo la impresión de las piezas de un puzzle que se mueven solas y que van desajustándose y luego ajustándose solas, de una manera misteriosa. 

Todo empezó con una afirmación hecha en un Programa Electoral; todos lo sabemos; pero luego vino la cuestión de las fechas, como todos sabemos también y no voy a repetir. 

La última fecha señalada era el 31 de marzo de 2005. Pasó. Voy a decir sólo que pasó. Y los y las transexuales tuvimos la sensación de ser de nuevo los últimos de la fila, o "los últimos monos de la compañía", como se dice en mi casa. 

Se fue formando poco a poco un revuelo en nuestro ambiente. De las primeras manifestaciones o declaraciones públicas que recuerdo, las de la página de la Fundación de Identidad de Género. Luego, la dimisión de Rebeca Rullán de la FELGT, las cartas personales de Juana Ramos, sobre todas estas cuestiones. Los ruidos habían comenzado a convertirse en gestos decididos, con toda la razón. Se estaba olvidando de hecho la dignidad de los y las transexuales, se nos consideraba quizás poca cosa, cuatro gatos, cuatro locas, que debíamos esperar turno pacientemente mientras salían leyes mucho más potentes, la de Esto, la de lo Otro.  

Por ser muchos, los gays y lesbianas fueron atendidos escrupulosamente de octubre del 4 a junio del 5, en nueve meses. Nosotros, los parientes pobres, dos años después no habíamos sido atendidos y se decía alegremente que estuviéramos tranquilos, y que esperásemos, para empezar, ¡otros seis meses más! 

Daba casi risa, y estamos acostumbrados a reír por no llorar, pero era evidentemente cuestión de respeto, o de dignidad, o de tomarnos en serio, como se prefiera, y de que no se nos marginase como otros nos marginan en la calle, en las clases o en el trabajo. 

Todo eso era la fase de desajuste. Las piezas del puzzle salían volando, ellas solas, y se estampaban contra las paredes, en una especie de poltergeist que tenía a muchos estupefactos. 

En ese momento, Carla Antonelli, que es la Coordinadora del Área Trans del PSOE, tomó su decisión, que dejó estupefactos a muchos más. Se planteó los deberes hacia su partido y los deberes hacia la gente suya y decidió que no podía permitirse no mirar a una transexual a la cara. 

Dicho sea de paso, al hacer ese análisis, le prestó también a su partido el mejor servicio que podía prestarle: hacer ver que en él hay personas tan de bien como ella.  

Pero de momento, el alboroto mediático se creó, porque en nuestra democracia no es frecuente que alguien plantee su fidelidad a la línea de su partido, su afinidad fundamental, y a la vez su disidencia en algo que afecta precisamente a los suyos, a los que como persona y como coordinadora se debe muy especialmente. "Quiero poder mirar de frente a cualquier trans". 

Era preciso conseguir que se nos oyera y tengo que decir que supimos organizarnos perfectamente, como si fuéramos profesionales de los medios. Supimos medir los tiempos y dosificar las informaciones, para usar con eficacia esa arma terrible y letal que habíamos cogido en nuestras manos, esa arma de información, la huelga de hambre. 

Sabemos que las y los trans somos pocos, que tenemos poca fuerza, pero sabemos también que nuestro único poder es la atención mediática. Y ahora la necesitábamos para hacer saber hasta qué punto estábamos humillados y hasta qué punto queríamos llegar para conseguir el respeto de todos: la huelga de hambre con todas sus consecuencias. 

No improvisada, no manejando el arma como un niño chico un pistolón, sino coordinadamente, seriamente, de acuerdo a la gravedad del momento. 

Nos sentíamos muy en serio, y muy asustadas. Yuyu, decía un amigo. Las huelgas de hambre se puede saber cómo empiezan, pero no como acaban. 

La propuesta fría y serena había sido de Carla. Dejamos que el mundo se enterase bien, durante una semana. Digo el mundo, porque comenzamos a pedir apoyo a organizaciones gays y lésbicas de España y de otros países. Jorge Puchol, mi amigo gay, comenzó a hacer un mailing desde Valencia. Pedíamos cartas al Ministerio de Justicia y a El País. No contestaron todos, pero contestaron algunos, cuyo listado les honra, y entre los cuales, por sus múltiples esfuerzos, quiero mencionar a Rubén López Díaz. Hicimos contacto con organizaciones y personas transexuales tan notables como Belissa Andía, Secretaria de la sección trans de la ILGA, Christine Burns y Stephen Whittle, de Press For Change, la organización que consiguió la ley británica, o con la notabilísima activista Lynn Conway, de USA, o con Jo, del European TransGender Network, o con Marlene Riwkeh Meges, del GAT de Paris y Karine Solène Espineira, de Sans Contrefaçon, de Marsella, que hicieron traducciones fundamentalísimas, o Hazel Gloria Davenport, de Humana, de México, o Mirella Izzo, de Crisalide Azione Trans, de Italia. 

Nos contestaron también Trans-Info Echanges, de Lyon, Transgender Equality Network de Irlanda, el Genderstichting de Bélgica y, con mucho sentimiento, la Cadena de Radio Transexual y Gay de Argentina, las organizaciones, quince, de la Red Trans del Perú, muchas organizaciones de México y muchas de Chile, incluyendo nueve organizaciones de travestis, nombre combativo y descarado con el que me siento muy identificada personalmente.  

Fueron tantas, de tantas ciudades de América Latina, que me permitirán que de momento no las nombre, porque son de las nuestras y de los nuestros, gente con quien siempre vamos a andar juntas. 

Nos decían, "¿Qué hacemos?". "Esperemos", pensábamos. Mientras, Press For Change y Lynn Conway nos publicaban un diario de la preparación de la huelga. 

La semana siguiente, nos incorporamos al anuncio de la huelga de hambre Gina Serra, Andrea Muñiz y yo. Tres presidentas (chairwomen, decíamos en los diarios para los anglosajones) de tres organizaciones, una del Norte, otra del Este y otra del Sur, que junto con Carla en el centro, santiguábamos el mapa de España. Ni hecho a propósito. Las piezas del puzzle volvían a encajarse, solas. 

Gina Serra había organizado una campaña de recogida de firmas, en la que personas particulares, trans y no trans, dejaron la suya y su sentimiento, que guardaremos en nuestra memoria y nuestro corazón sabiendo que se pusieron a nuestro lado en un momento decisivo. 

Empezaron otras adhesiones a la huelga de hambre. Nuestra compañera Tatiana Sánchez Mansilla, tan querida para mi, fue la primera; enseguida, Antonia Leiva anunció que si podía, se sumaría, y luego las personas transexuales que usan los nicks de "Palomita", "Nicolás" y "Alberto", y alguien más que empezó a interesarse, desde Barcelona. 

Tuvo repercusión pública, y en lo negro de la noche pensé en ellos, que se ofrecieron muy en serio a pasar por lo mismo que nosotras tuviéramos que pasar, el sacerdote gay José Mantero, expulsado por la iglesia que dice ser de Cristo, que ha conseguido, literalmente, miles de adhesiones desde iglesias cristianas de base de toda Europa, y el político también gay Jaume d'Urgell, que llegó a estar con nosotras, esperando las noticias, muy serio y preocupado. Era muy de agradecer que fueran gays y fueran absolutamente solidarios, y que arriesgaran también su salud o su vida por los y las trans.  

El diputado por Los Verdes, Francisco Garrido, mostró desde los primeros momentos su adhesión a la causa, así como Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, el político gay de derechas Carlos Alberto Biendicho, el periodista Emilio de Benito, el antropólogo José Antonio Nieto, el escritor Javier Montilla, la endocrinóloga Isabel Esteva, de la Unidad de Málaga, la periodista Ruth Toledano... Escribí al Defensor del Pueblo Andaluz, José Chamizo, siempre a nuestro lado,  para pedirle que estuviera preparado para intervenir si era necesario. Andrea Muñiz escribió en el mismo sentido al Ararteko vasco, el activista gay Íñigo Lamarca. Tanto Gina Serra como ella empezaron una febril serie de contactos, y tuvieron una presencia continua en los medios de comunicación catalanes o vascos, respectivamente. 

Al mismo tiempo, en torno a la iniciativa de Carla, el movimiento trans comenzaba a unirse y en cierto sentido, a existir por primera vez. Se planteaba ya algo muy grande: el movimiento transexual unido, con iniciativa propia, con voz propia. Un movimiento transexual hasta ahora fragmentario y disperso, pero que encontraba en la fragmentación su propia fuerza, la espontaneidad, la sinceridad, la insobornabilidad. 

En él todos nos conocemos, porque somos muy poca gente, pero pocas veces hemos encontrado causas comunes para las que unirnos. Ahora la teníamos, la causa de nuestra dignidad, del respeto que esperamos, igual que cualesquiera otras personas. 

El movimiento transexual comenzó a unirse, en forma autónoma, para cada organización, pero solidaria plenamente y espontáneamente, sin necesidad de muchas palabras ni de muchas formalidades. Carla lo bautizó Stonewall 2; Stonewall, todos lo saben, había sido una iniciativa trans, una gloria trans, que mostraba de lo que somos capaces; ahora, de nuevo, teníamos que demostrarlo, y como entonces, no para hacerle mal a nadie, sino bien a nosotros mismos. 

En nuestras casas, ordenadores y teléfonos, el fijo a un lado, el móvil al otro, echaban humo más de doce horas al día. El arma de la huelga de hambre, puesto que es de información, es de comunicación. Nos mantuvimos comunicados, nos enviamos mensajes de móvil o de ordenador, las cuentas de teléfonos nos van a arruinar de por vida, pero el movimiento transexual fue formándose, en gran parte solo, por la fuerza de la razón y de los sentimientos. Hubo quien se quedó al margen: no voy a dejar de respetar a esas organizaciones, que hicieron sin duda lo que creyeron que debían. 

El momento más hermoso fue cuando nos reunimos en la sede de Transexualia todas las organizaciones que habíamos decidido acudir a la cita con Pedro Zerolo, no sin dudas previas, que fueron resolviéndose. Estuvimos reunidas dos horas y media. Comimos algo, sandwiches y cosas así, porque queríamos que nuestras mentes estuvieran ligeras y despiertas, y hasta un puntito de peleonas, en vez de captadas por el sopor de una buena digestión. Sabíamos que íbamos en serio, y que era una ocasión histórica única, de las que pasan una vez a tu lado y no vuelven a pasar. Sabíamos también que teníamos que mantener un apoyo sin fisuras, no era preciso casi hablarlo. 

Hablamos todas las organizaciones, en orden perfecto, con tranquilidad y con convencimiento. Una compañera latina pidió que, en la futura ley, no nos olvidáramos de las trans inmigrantes, víctimas de la exclusión social en sus países y aquí. Es decir, que daba por hecho que habría ley. Con toda la inquietud que fuera, ésa era nuestra voluntad. Carla Represa manifestó, como representante, la postura de sus organizaciones representadas, y luego, a título personal, su voluntad de unirse a la huelga. 

A mi lado, una amiga cuyo nombre no voy a decir, me dijo sinceramente: "Estoy emocionada" 

El día antes, el viernes, habíamos recibido el apretón de manos virtual del Cardenal de Sevilla, lo que quitaba cualquier argumento del miedo a los carcas. Este pronunciamiento transcendental se debió a una gestión de Andrés de la Portilla, que colaboraba con nosotras desde el principio en muchas otras cosas (pero no hasta el final) Es verdad que, veinticuatro horas después, el Cardenal, sufriendo  presiones del resto de la Conferencia Episcopal, tuvo que decir "donde dije digo, digo... digo", porque se afianzó en lo mismo, de lo que sabe perfectamente por sus estudios como psicólogo. Pero esto significaba que comenzábamos a no estar solos, a contar con apoyos en las partes más dispares y hasta inesperadas de la sociedad. Nuestro esfuerzo mediático comenzaba a dar frutos y otra pieza venía a ajustarse con las demás. 

Terminamos la anterreunión, y nos fuimos con calma para la calle Ferraz. Un momento después, estábamos con Pedro Zerolo y otros miembros de su secretaría y del grupo GLBT del que forma parte Carla. Allí estaban Miguel Ángel Fernández, Mariano Moreno, María José Hernández y la diputada Carmen Montón. También estaban Boti García y Beatriz Gimeno, de la FELGT y  Carla, pero entre nosotros, en las filas de las organizaciones asistentes, no en la presidencia, como le correspondía. 

Nos saludamos uno tras otro, ceremonialmente, nos besamos, y empezó la reunión. Pedro empezó a hablar tranquilamente, muy pausadamente, con su melodioso acento canario, aunque demasiado políticamente correcto (todo "as" y todo "os") 

No nos cansó. Expuso, primero, los logros de su Secretaría en favor de los transexuales que, verdaderamente, ya van siendo algunos. Luego, explicó las líneas generales de la ley, y ahí comprendimos que eran necesarias más explicaciones sobre la Ley que pretendemos. Luego, nos dijo que habría un anuncio "inminente" de la ley, para antes del 30 de junio de 2006 y presentada con garantías políticas. 

Pedro Zerolo quería que hubiese acuerdo, pero sabíamos que era necesario todavía aclarar mucho y poner en claro en primer lugar lo que queríamos aclarar. Pensé que era muy preciso  pedir un tiempo muerto, como en los partidos de baloncesto, para hablarlo entre nosotros y las caras hicieron evidente que compartían ese pensamiento. Pedro, cortésmente, accedió a salir junto con los integrantes de su Secretaría y nos dejó solos. 

Pusimos a Josefina Pérez como moderadora y lo hablamos. Volvimos a hablarlo tranquilamente, aunque preocupados, pero con perfecto orden, tal era nuestro acuerdo de fondo, la verdadera fuerza que llevábamos a la reunión. Hicimos hasta tres rondas de intervenciones. Al final de las tres, presentamos nuestras posiciones casi  unánimemente, salvo alguna abstención, es decir: no hubo ni un voto en contra. Esa era, materializada. la fortaleza del movimiento trans. 

Pedro Zerolo recogió nuestras posiciones. Se había ofrecido a gestionarlas, desde ahora, personalmente. Tampoco nosotros queríamos intermediarios. Nos ofrecimos a hacerle llegar nuestras posiciones, el miércoles a las nueve de la mañana. El viernes habría una reunión, en la que Rebeca Rullán sería nuestra portavoz, con quien quisiera acudir con ella, para comenzar a negociar con Pedro el contenido de la ley inminente. Yo (empezaré con el burro por delante, para que quede claro que fue decisión mía y nadie tuvo que empujarme) y Carla, anunciamos que no renunciábamos a la huelga hasta ver todo eso encarrilado. 

Era cuestión de esperar a esta semana. El miércoles 10, en las Cortes Generales, todo entre maderas preciosas que reflejaban las luces y adornos dorados que brillaban todavía más, la diputada Carmen Montón, del PSOE, hizo una pregunta al Ministro de Justicia, que respondió diciendo, básicamente, que: reasignación legal sin cirugía; que sería un procedimiento administrativo; y que antes del 30 de junio. Luego la diputada Rosa María Bonás, de ERC, subió a la tribuna de oradores para hacer una solemne interpelación; habló con preparación y con serena emoción, y preguntó sobre todo por la sanidad. El ministro contestó exponiendo la situación en las diversas autonomías en que la prestación está en curso (Andalucía y Extremadura) o en estudio (Aragón, Asturias, Cataluña), lo que sugería que lo dejaba a la responsabilidad autonómica, pero se reafirmó en los puntos de la futura Ley de Identidad de Género. 

De todo quedó constancia nada menos que en el Diario de Sesiones del Congreso de los Diputados. 

Yo lo estuve viendo por el Canal Parlamentario, todo el tiempo de pie, en señal de respeto a todos los que estaban  reconociendo nuestra dignidad y también el respeto hacia los y las transexuales. 

A continuación, desistimos de la huelga.

Kim Pérez 15-05-2006

 

 

The Story of Three Weeks
By Kim Pérez Fernández-Fígares
Andalusian Gender Identity Association
English Translation by Jane Brook

In the Forties, Gandhi used his hunger strikes to fight for the dignity of his country, India.

The hunger strike is a very strong, very special weapon, a weapon which brings physical harm to no-one else except to the person who chooses to suffer through it but that person, through that suffering, retains the initiative.  But, as with every weapon, it needs to be used prudently, it's not always effective and it can be dangerous to the person using it.

In the case of Gandhi, it was effective because he was confronting the British, with their liberal, democratic and humanitarian culture.  He wanted to convey something they would be perfectly capable of understanding, that is the question of dignity.  If he'd been up against some other forces at that time, he'd have been got rid of and the Indians massacred and that would have been the end of the story.

But let's come back to talk of our story because for we transsexuals it has also been a question of dignity, right up to the need for us to announce a hunger strike.  There may be only a few of us whereas there were then millions of Indians.  But in something as important as this, even one person represents so much.

In our case, it was also that the moment was right.  It was right because we were dealing with a Government and a party with a sense of left-wing  solidarity which had already demonstrated its commitment in respect of the rights of homosexuals and our protest wasn't against their refusal to recognise our human rights but instead against the delay in implementing that recognition.

Just as the confrontation between Gandhi and the British was resolved honourably on both sides, on one side through bravery and intelligence and on the other through a sense of humanity, our struggle would also find a resolution honourable to everyone.

When I think back on these weeks, the impression I have is of pieces in a jigsaw puzzle that move by themselves, coming loose and then fitting themselves back in mysteriously.

Everything started with a commitment made in the Electoral Programme, we all know that - but later the question came up of 'when exactly?', we all know that as well so I won't go into that any further.

The date limit for implementation of the electoral commitment was March 31, 2005.  That date went by and we transsexuals felt ourselves to be once again the last in line.

Discontent started to swell among our community.   Among the first demonstrations and public declarations that I recall were those of the 'Fundacion de Identidad de Genero' (Gender Identity Foundation).  Later, the resignation of Rebeca Rullan from the FELGT (Spanish Federation of Lesbians, Gays and Transsexuals), the personal letters from Juana Ramos, all about these matters.  The discontent had quite rightly started to turn into concrete gestures.  The dignity of transsexuals was being disregarded, perhaps they didn't think we carried much weight, a few odd people here and there, that we ought to wait patiently for our turn to come while all sorts of other, more important laws were enacted.

Because there are many more gays and lesbians, the commitments to them were scrupulously implemented, in October 2004 and June 2005, in nine months.  We, the poor relations, had been waiting for two years and they said to themselves, well they're quiet and to wait a while longer, to start with another six months!

It almost made you laugh (and we're used to laughing so we don't cry) but it had become a question of respect or of dignity or of taking us seriously, however you wish, or of not letting ourselves be marginalised as others marginalise us in the street, in the classrooms or in the workplace.

This was when things started to turn, the pieces started to fly out by themselves from the jigsaw and to crash against the walls, astonishing many.

That was when Carla Antonelli, who is the co-ordinator of trans matters in the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, the governing party) made her decision, which astonished many more.  She assumed her responsibility towards her party and towards its supporters by deciding that it was inadmissible that her party wasn't able with respect to look a transsexual in the face.

In passing, she rendered an inestimable service to her party, namely to make it evident that within it there are people as principled as she is.

But then the media frenzy started, because in our democracy it often happens that someone supposedly faithful to the party line at the same time diverges from it on particular questions,  especially on questions concerning that person's social constituency.  'I want to be able to look a transsexual in the face'.

We needed to be listened to and I must say we got ourselves perfectly
organised, as if it were second nature to us.  We knew how to manage the
flow of information so we could use efficiently this terrible weapon
that we'd taken up, the hunger strike.

We know that there aren't many of us transsexuals, that we're not very strong but we also know that our only power is to attract the attention of the media.  And now we needed that media attention so as to get across the extent of our humiliation and to demonstrate how far we had to go to obtain the respect of other people:  a hunger strike with all its consequences.

A weapon handled seriously, not like some kid with a gun but seriously in accordance with the seriousness of our situation.

We were very serious and very frightened.  You may know how hunger strikes start but no-one knows how they may end.

It had been Carla's cold and considered proposal.  For a week, then let the World find out all about it.  I say "the World" because we asked for the support of gay and lesbian organisations in Spain and in other countries.  Jorge Puchol, my gay friend, started a mailing from Valencia.  We asked for letters to be sent to the Ministry of Justice and to 'El Pais' (Spanish newspaper).  Not everyone replied but some did, I sincerely thank them.  Among them, I'd like to especially mention the great endeavours of Ruben Lopez Diaz.  We contacted noteworthy organisations and transsexual persons including Belissa Andia, secretary
of the trans section of the ILGA, Christine Burns and Stephen Whittle of Press For Change, the organisation that obtained the British Gender Recognition Act, the well-known activist lynn Conway, from USA, Jo from the European TransGender Network, Marlene Rikwer Meges from the GAT of Paris and Karine Solène Espineira from Sans Contrefaçon of Marseilles, who did some very important translations, Hazel Gloria Davenport from Humana in Mexico, and Mirella Izzo from Crisalide Azione Trans in Italy.

Among the others who responded were Trans-Info Echanges from Lyons, Transgender Equality Network from Ireland, the Gender stichting from Belgium, and, with great feeling the Cadena de Radio Transexual y Gay of Argentina, the fifteen organisations in the Red Trans of Peru, many organisations in Mexico and in Chile, including nine organisations of transvestites, very committed and determined and with which I personally identify strongly.

There was so much support from so many people in so many cities in Latin America that I won't name them all, we know they are our people and that we'll always be following our path together.

They asked us "What are you doing?"  "We're waiting", we thought.  In the meantime, Press For Change and Lynn Conway publicised a daily account of the preparation for the strike.

The next week, Gina Serra, Andrea Muñiz and I, three chairwomen of three organisations, one from the North, one from the East and one from the South, joined in the announcement of the hunger strike, who together with Carla in the Central Region covered the whole map of Spain.  It wasn't done deliberately, it was just the pieces falling back into the puzzle by themselves.

Gina Serra had organised a signature campaign, in which individuals, trans and non-trans, gave their support as well as their comments, all of which we'll treasure in our memories and in our hearts, knowing that they were on our side at such a critical moment.

Others joined the hunger strike.  Our colleague Tatiana Sanchez Mansilla, very dear to me, was the first, followed by Antonia Leiva who said that if she could, she would and then later the transsexuals who go
by the names of  "Palomita", "Nicolas" and "Alberto" and one other person who expressed interest from Barcelona.

Public awareness grew and I thought of all those who offered to join us, the gay priest José Mantero, expelled by the Church which claims to be of Christ, who obtained literally thousands of signatures from Christian churches all over Europe, as well as the gay politician Jaume d'Urgell who came to be with us, seious and worried, waiting for news.  They are to be thanked those gays who were showed absolute solidarity with us and who also risked their health or their lives for us transsexuals.

The Greens MP, Francisco Garrido, supported us from the start as did Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, the gay right-wing politician Carlos Alberto Biendicho, the journalist Emilio de Benito, the anthropologist José Antonio Nieto, the writer Javier Montilla, doctor Isabel Esteva from Malaga, the journalist Ruth Toledano.  I wrote to the Ombudsman in Andalucia, José Chamizo, who always supports us, requesting that he be prepared to intervene, if necessary. Andrea Muñiz wrote similarly to the Arateko Vasco, the gay activist Iñigo Lamarca.  Both Andrea and Gina initiated an intensive number of contacts and obtained continuous exposure in the media in Euskadi and in Catalunya respectively.

At the same time, following Carla's initiative, the trans community started to unite and, in a certain way, to exist for the first time, the first steps being taken towards a united transsexual movement, of its own initiative and with its own voice.  A transsexual movement up to now fragmented and separated but which found despite its fragmentation its own strength, spontaneity,  sincerity and honesty.

There are very few of us but only very rarely have we been able to make common cause to unite us, now we have that common cause, the cause of our dignity, the respect that we await, just like everyone else.

The transsexual movement started to unite, each organisation deciding freely, but showing solidarity fully and spontaneously, with out the need for lots of speeches and lots of formalities.  Carla named it Stonewall 2; Stonewall, everyone knows, had been a trans initiative, a trans achievement, showing what we are capable of; now, anew, we have to demonstrate it and, as before, not to harm anyone else but simply to help ourselves.

In our homes, computers and phones, the landline on one side, the mobile on the other, busy twelve hours a day.  The weapon of the hunger strike, designed to pass our message, needed communicating.  We stayed in touch, we sent text messages, e-mails, the phone bills will leave us ruined for life!  But the trans movement got going, largely on its own initiative, through common sense and common feelings.  There were some people who stayed outside, I'm not going to stop respecting these organisations who undoubtedly did what they believed they ought to.

The most wonderful moment was when we when we got together in the office of Transexualia all the organisations that had decided to come to the meeting with Pedro Zerolo, not without prior doubts but which were resolved.  Our meeting lasted two and a half hours.  We had sandwiches and only a drop of wine because we wanted to keep our minds alert and not taken over by having to digest a good meal.  We knew it was a serious occasion, a unique historical moment such as occur only once and never happen again.  We knew as well that we needed to stay united, that went without saying.

Every organisation spoke, in order, calmly and with conviction.  One colleague from Latin America asked that in the future law, the immigrant trans people not be forgotten since they were victims of social exclusion in their own countries as well as here.  That is to say, that it's understood there will be a law, that is the root cause of our worries and the wish of all of us.  Carla Represa pointed out the point of view of the organisations represented and, later, her personal preparedness to join the strike.

A friend sitting beside me, whose name I won't disclose, said to me "I'm overwhelmed".

The day before, the Friday, we had received the virtual handshake of the Cardinal of Sevilla, which removed any fear of a reaction from the conservative factions.  This moving declaration was attributable to an undertaking by Andrés de la Portilla, who collaborated with us in many things from the beginning (but not up to the end).  The truth is that twenty-four hours later, the Cardinal, under pressure from the rest of the Episcopal Conference, had to modify his first statement, despite his own knowledge gained from his studies as a psychologist.  But this episode nevertheless told us we were no longer alone and that we had support in even the most remote and unexpected corners of society.  Our efforts with the media were starting to bear fruit and that was one more piece falling into place.

We finished that preparatory meeting and then went to Calle Ferraz (offices of the PSOE, the ruling political party) to meet with Pedro Zerolo and other members of his secretariat and with members of the LGBT group of which Carla is a member.  Among those present were Miguel Angel Fernandez, Mariano Moreno, Maria José Hernandez and the MP Carmen Monton, as well as Boti Garcia and Beatriz Gimeno of the FELGT.  Carla was there but among us and not chairing the meeting, as she had the right to.

After the usual greetings, the meeting started.  Pedro started to speak quietly, calmly with his melodic Canary Islands accent, although he spoke in too much of a politically correct manner.

He started by explaining the measures already achieved by his Secretariat which benefit the transsexual community, already quite a few.  Then, he explained the main features of the law and there we understood that more explanation was needed on the law that we wanted to see.  Then, he told us that an announcement on the new law was imminent, for before June 30, 2006 and presented with political guarantees.

Pedro Zerolo was pushing for an agreement but we knew that there was still a lot to clarify and that firstly we needed to highlight what it was that we wanted.  I thought we needed to ask for "time out" for us to talk among ourselves and I saw that my colleagues shared this feeling. Pedro courteously left with his team so we could use the room ourselves.

We asked Josefina Perez to chair this meeting and worries were expressed but we all spoke calmly and in order, maintaining that force of unity that we'd brought to the meeting.  We went round the table three times and we then agreed an almost unanimous position, there was one abstention but  not one vote against, demonstrating once more the strength of our trans movement.

Pedro Zerolo received our comments.  He had offered to take care of them, personally.  Neither did we want the involvement of intermediaries.  We offered to transmit to him our positions the following Wednesday at 09.00.  On the Friday, there would be a meeting, at which Rebeca Rullan would be our spokeswoman with whoever else would like to attend with her, to start to negotiate with Pedro the contents of the imminent law.  I (a personal decision and not pushed by anyone into deciding) and Carla announced that we wouldn't give up the strike until we'd seen all this process under way.

We had to wait until this week.  On Wednesday, the 10th, in the Cortes Generales (Lower House of Parliament), in the midst of all the brilliantly-shining wood and gold decorations shining even more, the MP Carmen Monton of the PSOE put a question to the Minister of Justice, who replied saying basically, that:  legal reassignment without surgery; it would be an administrative procedure; and that before June 30.  Then the MP Rosa Maria Bonas, of ERC, took the stand and requested, above all, information relating to health care.  The minister responded by explaining the situation in the various autonomous communities where this service is being undertaken (Andalucia and Extremadura) or being studied (Aragon, Asturias, Catalunya), which suggests that it is being left a matter of responsibility of each autonomous government,  but the Minister reconfirmed the points of the future Law of Gender Identity.

All of this appears in the official record of the Congress of the Deputies.

I was seeing all this on the Canal Parlamento (Parliament tv channel), standing all the time out of respect to all those who were recognising our dignity and the respect due to the transsexual community.

Only then did we abandon the strike.


Kim Pérez 15-05-2006
 

 

ENDS

 

 

 

 

From: Kim Pérez
Sent: Friday, June 02, 2006 10:57 AM
Subject: The Bill has been passed by the Government

 

 

The Spanish Government has passed today, June the 2th 2006, the Gender Identity Bill, as asked by transsexual organizations.

Now, the Bill must be transferred to the Cortes (Parliament) for its discussion.

These are the principles where the Bill is founded:

-The applicant must be diagnosed in gender dysphoria by a doctor or a psychologist.

-Two years of medical treatment must be demonstrated.

- No genital surgery must be required.

- In the case of having had this genital surgery, the two years delay will be not required.

- The legal reassignation in the Registry, will produce legal full effects.


Transsexual organizations begin to evaluate this Bill and possible amendments.


Kim
 

 

ENDS

 

 


 


Spanish Campaigners

Celebrate Major Step Forward

Report by Christine Burns
Press for Change

Sat 3rd June, 2006


In a step already hailed by as "historic" by campaigner Kim Pérez and
her associates, the Spanish Government yesterday fulfilled their
promises and published a Gender Identity Bill for debate in the Cortes
(the Spanish Parliament).

Writing to leading trans campaigners around the world who had provided
moral support to a threatened hunger strike less than three weeks ago,
Kim Pérez Fernández-Fígares, Chairwoman of the Association of Gender
Identity of Andalusia (Asociación de Identidad de Género de Andalucía)
says that the Government's bill will still need to be debated and voted
upon in both houses of the legislature. She explains, however, that the
Government's majority is so strong that she would not expect the
substance to be changed appreciably in the process. She says, "Only the
dissolution of Parliament could stop it now".

The new bill has many similarities to the UK's Gender Recognition Act,
which became law in July 2004, almost exactly two years after the
European Court of Human Rights judgement that had forced the UK to
legislate.

Kim says that key features in their new bill are that:

- The applicant must be diagnosed with gender dysphoria by a doctor or a
psychologist.
 
- Two years of medical treatment must be demonstrated, but that
 
- Genital surgery is not a mandatory requirement
 
- The two year requirement will not apply where applicants have had
genital surgery
 
- Legal reassignation in the Spanish Registry, will be effective for ALL
purposes

Kim says that she and her peers in Spain's trans rights campaign groups
will now begin evaluating the Bill in depth and looking at possible
amendments. Already, however, they feel that the biggest hurdle of all
has been passed, with the proposed legislation in the table and a
Government which has shown that it is fully committed to enacting it,
through the strength of their legislative majority.

So June 2nd becomes another historic day to celebrate. We wish them
well.

- Christine Burns

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