Washington D.C., April 16, 2021- The call for photography: “Portraying Diversity” is a regional initiative of the Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights (Race and Equality). This project is part of the commemoration of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (May 17) and the International LGBTI+ Pride Day (June 28), with the aim of making visible the diverse identities in Latin American and the Caribbean, as well as demanding for the respect and guarantee of rights of the LGBTI+ population.

“Each year we commemorate these dates in order to create more visibility around people with diverse sexual orientation and gender identities, as well as make visible the situations they face in their respective countries. This year, among the commemorative actions that we have proposed, we include this call to portray the LGBTI population in an authentic and artistic way, and what better way than through photography and with the collaboration of people who support or identify with the cause,” explained Zuleika Rivera, Officer of the LGBTI Race and Equality Program.

Context

Latin America and the Caribbean is an adverse region for LGBTI+ people. The continent has record numbers of violence and murder against this community. According to the Map of the Murders of Transvestites and Transexuals in Brazil, a report published by the National Association of Transvestites and Transexuals (ANTRA), in Brazil alone, 175 trans people were killed in 2020, that is once every two days.

In the absence of laws to protect and promote their rights, LGBTI+ people, including diverse couples and families, suffer daily physical and verbal abuse, discrimination and exclusion. They also face serious difficulties in accessing basic rights and services such as health, education, housing and justice.

Call for entry

With the call for photography “Portrait Diversity” we hope to share a collaboration of photos by amateur or professional photographers from all Latin American and Caribbean countries, that through their work we help make visible the diversity and reality of the LGBTI+ community. The following are the terms of reference for this entry.

Call period: April 16 – May 21

Information to accompany the photograph:

• Name or pseudonym of the author
• Country
• Photograph name (ideally two words)
• Brief description of the photograph (where was it taken, who are the protagonists, and what does it reflect)

Format: JPEG. Minimum resolution of 1500 x 2000 pixels. Full color and/or BN. Only one photo per participant

Style: Free (artistic, journalistic or self-portrait photography)

Send: To the email (igualdad.comunicaciones2021@gmail.com) with the subject link “Call for photography: Portraying Diversity.”

The photographs will be shared through Race and Equality accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, as well as its website, along with the author’s credits and the information received about the photograph. This dissemination will begin on May 17 and end on June 28.

This entry of photography is completely open, so we invite you to share and participate to make visible the diversity in our region and together contribute to the construction of a more inclusive society for all people, without discrimination.