Content:

News: Trans activist wins 2008 Felipa de Souza Award
The ILGA Trans Secretariat wants to congratulate at Chilean trans activist Andrés Ignacio Rivera Duarte, winner of 2008 Felipa de Souza Award which recognizes the courage and effectiveness of groups or leaders dedicated to improving the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex (LGBTI) and other individuals stigmatized and abused because of their sexuality or HIV status.
Nominations for the Felipa Award are solicited each year from activists around the world. Nominees go through a rigorous review by the staff, board and the International Advisory Committee of IGLHRC.

Articles: Status Report of LGBT in Tonga / Joey Mataele (Vice President of the Tonga Leiti’s Association)
This report on the current status of the LGBT and primarily to bring light on the social, economic, health and spiritual status of this population along with some of the challenges, obstacles and future aspirations of this group collectively and individually.

Books: Transexuality, reality, diverse. Martín Romero, Dolores. Madrid: Consejería de Familia y Asuntos Sociales, 2006.
This is the report of the first research project undertaken with the trans community of Madrid Community. It has two objectives; the first, considers the reality of the trans community, unknown previously by most of the population. Secondly, it shows the diverse reality of trans people, and presents some of the knowledge needed to help when providing for trans people

Mailbox:
Stephen Whittle
T-Informa February 2008; the problems of paternalism
Dear Editor
On reading two of the articles in what is usually an excellent Trans Secretariat newsletter, T-Informa, I was very distressed to see the extent of the disinformation published. Firstly, in the editorial on the proposed name change of ILGA, you refer to the community trans (travestis, transexuals, transgender and intersexuals). There are some problems in translation (which I will address later), however I fully support this move to create a more appropriate name for the association, but personally think the whole alphabet of letters should be tossed out and a better term developed. . (continue...)

ITS: Dear Stephen
I agree with you that we must search a term that wears better in naming the identities of trans people. In a previous article in which I call to receive opinions I clearly point that the trans term is object of debate and as you indicate it well transitorily serves us to get out of trouble

Acction Alert: Portugal: Transphobia kills again: international call for action!
Luna was born a woman, her body, masculine, didn’t fit her identity. She had projects, wishes and frustrations just like anyone else. According to newspapers, died victim of great violence, possibly fed by hatred, prejudice and ignorance. Her body was left in a dumpster, hidden by rubble and dust, as if it was garbage, as if her life had not been worth living.

Personalities:Christian Bendayan
Contemporary artist that gives us some symbolic elements on which to build a trans identity, because he presents a true copy of reality instead of a hidden version, and at the same time transforms it, showing us marginal people having colorful and happy lives.

Arts: On soap
Charlotte is displeased with her relationship, and decides to move away to the first apartment she can find. In the floor below, lives Veronica, a transsexual obsessed with a romantic soap show on TV. She is waiting for approval for her sex change surgery.

Conference: ILGA decided to postpone the World Conference
The Executive Board of ILGA decided to postpone the Conference until later this year. ILGA is now making a formal call for new proposals from ILGA member organizations for hosting the World conference.

See the newsletter N° 004

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T-informa Bulletin
Financed by Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Trans and Intersexuals International Associated (ILGA) and
The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights ( RFSL)
Director: Belissa Andía Pérez / Editor: Bethsabé Huamán / Designer: Vanessa Laura
Regional Collaboraters: LAC: Andrés Rivera / Europe: Justus Eisfeld / ANZAPI: Joey Mataele / USA: Aidan Dunn
Translation: Stephen Whittle.