Queer Peace International

Breaking Free: Sexual Diversity and Change in Emerging Nations

 

 

Queer Peace International is committed to promoting peace, diversity and equality of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified) population through facilitating research, training, and outreach projects in developing countries. We specifically address in our work the education, social and health needs of LGBT individuals through international development programming.

 

We are a volunteer-run, grassroots organization that based in Toronto, Canada with limited resources. Therefore, your donation is very much appreciated. Please note, however, that we are not able to provide charitable receipts for donations at this time. You will receive a receipt from PayPal for your donation.

 

However, we would still like to give you a thank you gift for your generosity. For every donation made to QPI through paypal for $25 (Canadian Dollars), we will send you a free copy of our recent e-book, Breaking Free: Sexual Diversity and Change in Emerging Nations, edited by Robert Mizzi. In addition, for every donation received, we will also send a free copy of the book to a LGBT organization in a developing country. With your help, we will be able to provide knowledge of what is taking place in various parts of the world, so that community educators and activists can gather fresh ideas, relate to the stories and information shared, and feel motivated to continue their vital work.

 

Breaking Free is a collection of chapters written by local and international community educators who have written from their lived experiences of trying to make positive changes in social attitude and legal recognition in some of the most challenging and homophobic situations. Significantly, the chapter authors offer a candid look into successes, failures and shortcomings that affect the change processes, and suggest what kind of community work is needed in order to cement rights and respect. Breaking Free is ideal from any perspective: from a local community organizer looking for new ideas for projects, curious global citizens wanting to learn more about what (un)blocks an agenda for mutual respect and dialogue, or for the policy-maker, looking to inform him/herself on sexual/gender minority issues from an international development standpoint. Much is written from the heart, and yet, with their feet firmly in place, the authors stand their ground for change.

 

"As a member of the Canadian queer community I found that Breaking Free : Sexual Diversity and Change in Emerging Nations provided insight into the struggle for queer human rights in countries as diverse as Ghana, Lebanon, Cuba and Malta. Some reflections ring familiar-much differs greatly from our Canadian experience. This book helps broaden our appreciation of what it means to be queer and full citizens, and informs our work as we stand in solidarity with brothers and sisters around the world."

--Bill Siksay, Member of Parliament (Burnaby-Douglas), Canada.

 

"In an age of globalization, amid the rapid spread of Western values, this book offers a succinct but well-documented account of the many types of experience and models of change that sexual minorities contend with, every day, in emerging countries. In its many-layered approach to difference, it reminds us that first-world assumptions and expectations concerning gay rights-and human rights, in general-are not to be taken for granted, anywhere."

--Marina Castañeda, Mexican psychotherapist, author of La Experiencia Homosexual (in French: Comprendre l'homosexualité), El Machismo Invisible and La Nueva Homosexualidad.

 

"In this book various authors share their experiences with creating change in very different regional contexts and varying cultural backgrounds. A welcome collection of stories giving insight in the different challenges that LGBT communities around the world are facing on a daily basis. Altogether the collection demonstrates a need for increased attention on economic, social and cultural rights in global LGBT politics."

--Wouter Neerings, President, COC Netherlands

 

Table of Contents: Introduction. Introducing Sexual/Gender Identity Themes in Challenging Contexts, Robert Mizzi; Chapter 1. Women who have Sex with Women (WSW): Strategies for HIV Prevention in International Settings, Anne Brisson, Nabila El-Bassel, and Jalila Aybar; Chapter 2. Closing the Gap in Africa, Travis Sherer; Chapter 3. Sexuality and the Politics of Development in Lebanon, Rasha Moumneh; Chapter 4. Cuba: Silent Closet or Collective Community?, Marc Colbourne; Chapter 5. Outreach: A Look into Local and International Perspectives in LGBT Movements, Darren Vella; Chapter 6. Needs for Education about LGBT Issues by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Organizations, Peter Dankmeijer.

 

Please note that you will need advanced English to understand this book. If we are able to find the necessary resources, we hope to have the book translated into Spanish and French at a later point. After you provide your donation, your free book will arrive within 72 hours.

 

**Make sure to remember to write your email address as you complete the transaction to send you your free book! If you forget, you can always follow up with an email through our "contact us" section of the website.