On Pride Day, Government Holds 5th State Conference on the Rights of LGBTQIA+ People
The ceremony is part of an extensive list of actions aimed at the community, reinforcing the management's commitment to the community
On International LGBTQIA+ Pride Day, celebrated this Saturday, June 28, the Government of Pará, through the State Secretariat for Racial Equality and Human Rights (Seirdh), holds the 5th State Conference on the Rights of LGBTQIA+ People. The event plays a crucial role in gathering the demands of LGBTQIA+ people from Pará to be forwarded to the National Conference, last held in 2016, which returns for its 4th edition from October 21 to 25 this year.
The program began with the formation of the board and approval of the internal regulations. Still on the first day, the audience attended a lecture given by the national LGBTQIA+ secretary, Symmy Larrat, on the challenges for the implementation of public policies. The registered participants also took part in working group meetings with four thematic axes related to the agenda.
During the afternoon, observers and delegates voted on the summaries of each working group. The approved proposals will be taken to the national stage in Brasília. Another crucial point of the ceremony was the thematic table that addressed the advancement of global conservatism and spoke about the persecution of the LGBTQIA+ population in the Amazon.
The coordinator of sexual diversity and gender at SEIRDH, Gabriela Borja, and law professor Davi Almeida were the speakers at the table "Institutional Policies Aiming at Access to Employability and Retention," held today.
The professional explained that employability has become one of the main agendas for the LGBTQIA+ community, a space previously occupied by health and violence issues. "Access to employment becomes one of the main agendas because not having access to income is also a form of violence and death, but in life. This access to employment and income marks access to any other space. If I take away employment and income, I take away access to any other right, such as health, education, and security," he explained.
In the final stage, the election of the delegates who will attend the National Conference took place. This year, 48 delegates were selected for the event in Brasília. To conclude, the organizing committee of the State Conference was presented, followed by the closing table composed of civil society and public power.
Commitment to the LGBTQIA+ Population
In addition to the event, the state management reaffirms its commitment to the rights and dignity of this community throughout the year, with actions and public policies that ensure protection, inclusion, and well-being, combating discrimination and prejudice, celebrating plurality and the individual expression of each resident of Pará.
Since its creation in April 2024, Seirdh has demonstrated a strong commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community, points out Secretary Edilza Fontes. "We work together with civil society and other governmental spheres through their collegiate bodies and technical cooperation agreements. Our secretariat seeks to ensure access to citizenship, education, employment, and income policies that directly dialogue with the human rights agenda," she said.
In partnership with the National Secretariat for the Rights of LGBTQIA+ People, linked to the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship, the Government implemented, this Pride month, the Empodera+ program. The project aims to boost the autonomy of LGBTQIA+ people in vulnerable situations, offering scholarships and training, as well as technical support from the general coordinator, psychologist, social worker, educator, and a job vacancy and partnership facilitator.
SEIRDH also worked in partnership with the University of the Amazon (UNAMA) and the Women's Secretariat (SEMU) on the "Being a Woman" program. The project allocated scholarships in higher education courses for lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and travesti women in situations of socioeconomic vulnerability and who have experienced violence.
From supporting marches and parades to partnerships in entrepreneurship courses, the department, linked to the secretariat, continues to affirm its commitment to an egalitarian society, guaranteeing rights to this population. Sexual diversity and gender manager, Barbara Caroline, also recalls other actions focused on the LGBTQIA+ community.
Barbara Caroline emphasized the significance of the date, describing it as a moment to be proud of who you are. The manager reiterated the State Government's commitment, through SEIRDH, to support the LGBTQIA+ community, of which she is a part.
“We monitor cases of transphobia and homophobia, alongside the Committee for Combating LGBTphobia of the Secretariat of Public Security and Social Defense (Segup), at the Delegacy for Combating Discriminatory Crimes. Seirdh offers support and is present in these moments. We also conduct courses on sexual orientation and gender literacy for public servants, initiatives aimed at informing and educating about diversity issues within the government of Pará,” she explains.
