Gender, Sexuality & Health Resources Center pleased to introduce our 3rd newsletter “Sexual rights and social justice for minority groups”. In this issue we present analysis and discussion on sexual rights in relation to human rights and conceptual frameworks on “rights based approach”. While such theories and frameworks popularly used by individuals and organizations to discuss on reproductive and sexual health of minority groups, some questions were raised. How sexual rights of minorities are understood and applied – whether their sexual rights are included in the human rights? Whether sexual rights are sufficient to to achieve sexual justice? Whether the use of rights-based discourses have unintended consequences? And, what are the best strategies for using a rights-based discourse while avoiding negative consequences?
In Books Review we introduce 2 interesting books discussing sexual rights in relation to human rights, including current understandings on sexual rights, and their influencing factors and limitations. One of the important arguments is that, the debate on the concepts of sexuality and sexual rights arise at the point where public and private domains – the private body and the body politic meet. Once sexuality of an individual conflicts with social common values on sexuality, who or which power would decide the recognition and implementation of the sexual rights of that individual? One person is considered as a citizen in a society, but whether it means he or she owns sexual citizenship? Because sexually stigmatised persons are often denied standing as public actors, it is important to re-conceptualize human rights that are relevant to sexuality, and incorporate their participation and human dignity as key human rights value.
In the session on research and interventions, we will introduce some academic papers on sexual rights of lesbian – gay – bisexual – transexual (LGBT). Sexual orientation is still a debate in the UN and not yet covered in any binding UN human rights treaty. The year of 2007 marked an important development as a group of human rights experts launched the Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of Human Rights Law in Relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (the Yogyakarta Principles). Three among five academic papers discuss issues around the Yogyakarta Principles to show reasons why the Principles are appreciated and how it is applied in reality. In this session we will introduce also some interventions with LGBT groups by CCIHP, including an action research on gender based violence against MSM and an exhibition on stigmas and discriminations against LGBT in history and society of contemporary Vietnam.
At the end of the newsletter, we give details of some upcoming national and international events. As usual, you will learnt some references relevant to the theme of this newsletter issue – Sexual rights and social justice for minority groups. Attach file here are The Newsletter ‘Gender & Sexuality Review’by English and Vietnamese version
We hope to get your feedbacks on this newsletter and suggestions on potential themes, books and update of intervention programs.
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