Petition on Nicaraguan sodomy law

Issue 

Petition on Nicaraguan sodomy law

By Carolyn Beecham

SYDNEY — In response to a call for solidarity by Nicaraguan gay and lesbian activists, Lesbian and Gay Solidarity has begun circulating a petition demanding the repeal of a new sodomy law which came into force in Nicaragua on July 8.

The new law provides for one to three years' imprisonment for any person who "induces, promotes, propagandises or practises in a scandalous manner, coitus between individuals of the same sex", with an additional two to four years for teachers or other "persons in authority" who break the same law.

Managua's major gay and lesbian organisation, Fundacion Sochequetzal, has vowed to continue its safe sex education programs, despite the fact that the new law could be used to persecute the educators. Another lesbian/gay rights group, Nosostras y Somos, has announced a series of seminars discussing homosexuality. Sandinista deputies Maria Ramirez and Comandante Dora Maria Tellez are expected to attend the seminars.

The anti-gay bill was passed by a vote of 43-39. All Sandinista representatives voted against the provisions, and two moderate-centrist UNO members crossed the floor to vote no.

Lesbian and Gay Solidarity hopes to have a representative deliver the Australian petition to Nicaraguan activists personally in November. Copies of the petition may be obtained by writing to LGS at PO Box 380, Broadway NSW 2007.

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