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Metropolitan Community Churches Delegation Meets With Brazilian Minister for 
Human Rights

MCC Delegation Discusses Homophobia, HIV Policies, Legal Protections For 
Transgender Persons

Brasilia, Brazil -- A delegation of leaders from the predominantly gay 
Metropolitan Community Churches met on May 5 with The Honorable Nilmario
Miranda, 
Brazilian Minister for Human Rights and a member of the Brazilian President's

Cabinet.

Attending the meeting were Rev. Troy Perry, Rev. Elder Armando Sanchez, and 
Pastor Marcos Gladstone. The MCC delegation met for 45 minutes with the 
Minister for Human Rights and with Ivair Santos, Special Adviser to the
President for 
Human Rights.

The meeting, at the Brazilian National Justice Building in Brasilia. focused 
on human rights for LGBT people, Brazilian HIV and AIDS policies, legal 
protections for transgender persons, and MCC's role in reducing
discrimination and 
homophobia in Brazilian society.
 
During the meeting, Rev. Perry expressed deep appreciation for Brazil's 
leadership in the United Nations and for Brazil's nondiscrimination proposals

before the UN. Brazil is the sponsor of a UN resolution that calls upon "all
States 
to promote and protect the human rights of all persons regardless of their 
sexual orientation."

The MCC delegation was the first LGBT group to meet with Brazil's 
governmental leaders since Brazil withdrew its UN proposal several weeks ago.
Miranda 
confirmed the resolution was withdrawn because sufficient votes did not exist
for 
passage this year. Had the vote taken place and failed, the resolution could 
not be reintroduced into the UN for at least 10 years. In meetings with the 
MCC representatives, Brazilian officials pledged their firm commitment to 
reintroduce the UN resolution in 2005.
 
Brazilian officials asked a wide range of questions about Rev. Perry's 
participation in the U.S. White House Conference on Hate Crimes, discussed a 
Cabinet-level group recently formed to combat homophobia in Brazil, and
included an 
extensive discussion of rights and legal protections for transgender persons
in 
Brazil.
 
During the meeting, participants discussed the global AIDS pandemic and Rev. 
Perry shared information on MCC's role in HIV and AIDS ministry. 
 
A key outcome of the meeting was an announcement by the Brazilian Minister 
for Human Rights that a national (Brazilian) conference will be convened at
the 
end of May to address LGBT discrimination and homophobia in Brazil. The 
conference will include Cabinet members, political and governmental leaders,
and 
NGOs. MCC representatives will also participate in the Brazilian conference.
One 
purpose of the event is to draft national policies to protect the legal
rights 
of LGBT people.
 
Brazilian government officials were especially interested in MCC's history 
and growth, and Rev. Perry discussed the persecution MCC churches and clergy 
have experienced, including hate crimes, arsons, firebombings and church 
desecrations.

The Brazilian Minister for Human Rights expressed a need for theological 
reflection as a way to assist churches and religious groups in Brazil in 
overcoming homophobia and asked for MCC to assist by providing advice and
counsel for 
this purpose. He showed special interest in MCC's work of Biblical 
interpretation.

At the close of the meeting, the MCC delegation presented a silver medallion 
for Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva The medallion contained the

logo of Metropolitan Community Churches and saluted the Brazilian President
-- 
in both Portuguese and English -- for his human rights leadership for LGBT 
people.

In a related story, the government of Brazil officially extended recognition 
this week to Metropolitan Community Churches as a Christian denomination 
authorized to establish churches and ministries within Brazil. MCC, which has
had 
an extensive cell group program across Brazil, held dedication ceremonies for

its first official church in Rio this past week.

Founded in 1968, Metropolitan Community Churches offers positive, affirming 
ministry to lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender persons. MCC is made up

of more than 43,000 members and adherents in 300 congregations in 22
countries. 
For additional information, visit www.MCCchurch.org.

(END)

For Additional Information, Contact:
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West Hollywood, CA  90069
Tel. (310) 360-8640, Ext. 226
E-Mail: info@MCCchurch.org
Website: www.MCCchurch.org