2002 Felipa Human Rights Awards

Felipa 2002 Awards The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission honors: * Marta Lucía Tamayo Rincón,Marta Lucía Álvarez Giraldo, and Alba Nelly Montoya, Colombia Ms. Álvarez' demand for same-sex conjugal visitation rights in prison became the first complaint of discrimination based on sexual orientation ever to be acknowledged by the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights. While this groundbreaking case remains open, Ms. Montoya has already scored an important legal victory in a parallel case heard by the Colombian Supreme Court. Neither case would have been possible without the legal representation and perseverance of Ms. Tamayo. * Cui Zi En, China Mr. Cui has brought issues of same-sex love into Chinese culture and public awareness, with a prolific crop of critically acclaimed articles, lectures, books, and films, including the first gay novel in modern China. Despite it being banned in mainland China, the novel is still available through unofficial channels. * Maher Sabry, Egypt Mr. Sabry wrote and directed the first play publicly presented in Egypt that addressed male and female homosexuality openly. Last year, as the arrests of suspected homosexuals intensified, Mr. Sabry helped persuade a local human rights organization to represent some of the arrested men while at the same time bringing ever-mounting cases of persecution to the attention of IGLHRC and the international human rights community. * Elizabeth Calvet, (1960-2001) (Brazil) (Posthumous Award) Prominent leader and activist in the lesbian, women's, feminist and black movements in Brazil. See http://www.iglhrc.org/felipa/index.html The Felipa Awards will be presented in a ceremony in San Francisco on Wednesday, May 8, from 6-9 PM at Brava! for Women in the Arts (2781 24th Street). Marga Gomez will emcee the program, which begins promptly at 7:00 PM, and wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served. The awardees will also be recognized at a reception in New York on Monday, May 13, from 7-9 PM at the Art Club gallery in lower Manhattan (100 Reade Street). Tickets to either event are $100, and may be obtained by contacting IGLHRC's San Francisco office by telephone (415-255-8680) or by e-mail (kevin@iglhrc.org). Reservations are encouraged as space is limited, but tickets may still be available the day of the event. Both venues are accessible to persons with disabilities. In addition, the award-winners will speak at free public events in both cities. Please see IGLHRC's website for more information. For directions, parking information, please contact IGLHRC (415-255-8680). ###