Rutgers–Newark Law to Host April 10 Program on Global Struggle for LGBTQ Rights
For decades activists and human rights lawyers have formed strategic alliances to promote global LGBTQ rights. From the introduction of same-sex marriage in countries including Argentina, France, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States, and Uruguay, to the push for greater human rights protections for transgender communities in Cuba, to the enactment of anti-discrimination legislation, there has been a transformation in the international landscape of LGBTQ rights.
On Friday, April 10, 2015 at Rutgers School of Law–Newark, international scholars, activists and practicing attorneys will discuss the history, emergence and future of the global LGBTQ human rights movement.
Mariela Castro, Director of the Cuban National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX), will deliver a videotaped greeting. Manuel Vázquez Seijido, Head of the Legal Advisory Group at CENESEX and Coordinator of the Legal Services Orientation Institution, is the keynote speaker.
The symposium is free and open to the public but registration is required at law.newark.rutgers.edu/LGBTsymposium.
“The Global Struggle for LGBTQ Rights: Legal, Political and Social Dimensions” is co-sponsored by the Law School, Rutgers University–Newark LGBTQ & Diversity Resource Center, and Rutgers Urban Systems Program.
| 8:30 am | REGISTRATION AND CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST | |
| 9:00 am |
OPENING REMARKS Acting Dean Ronald K. Chen, Rutgers School of Law–Newark |
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| 9:30 am |
INTERDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVE ON GLOBAL LGBTQ MOVEMENT Professor Carlos Decena, Department of Women’s and Gender Studies and Department of Latino & Hispanic Caribbean Studies, Rutgers University Professor Ben Sifuentes-Jauregui, Department of American Studies, Rutgers University Macarena Saez, Fellow in the International Legal Studies Program, American University Washington College of Law Anahi Russo-Garrido, Lecturer in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Brandeis University Professor Whitney Strub, Director, Women’s and Gender Studies, Rutgers Newark College of Arts and Sciences, moderator |
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| 11:00 am | BREAK | |
| 11:15 am |
PIONEERING LEGAL STRATEGIES IN GLOBAL LGBTQ MOVEMENT Professor Lisa Davis, International Women’s Human Rights Clinic, CUNY School of Law Visiting Professor Jeena Shah, International Human Rights Clinic, Rutgers School of Law–Newark Speaker TBD Professor Jorge Contesse, Rutgers School of Law–Newark, moderator |
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| 1:00 pm | LUNCH | |
| 2:00 pm |
COMMUNITY-BASED EFFORTS IN GLOBAL LGBTQ MOVEMENT Graeme Reid, Director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights Program, Human Rights Watch Maria Mercedes Gómez, Regional Program Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean, International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission Professor Ariella Rotramel, Gender and Women’s Studies, Connecticut College Maren Greathouse, Director, Rutgers University–Newark LGBTQ & Diversity Resource Center, moderator |
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| 3:30 pm | BREAK | |
| 4:00 pm |
KEYNOTE ADDRESS Manuel Vázquez Seijido, Head of the Legal Advisory Group at CENESEX and Coordinator of the Legal Services Orientation Institution |
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| 5:00 pm | RECEPTION |