The Vatican welcomed representatives of LGBT organizations for the first time in its history

The Vatican opened its doors Friday for the first time to a delegation of LGBT people representatives of badociations defending the rights of this community, a meeting called "historical" and "a first step".

"We expected to be received by Pope Francis, but a few days ago we learned that the meeting will be with the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin ", told the press after the meeting Helena Kennedy, director of the Institute of Human Rights (IBAHRI) of the International Bar Association.

The purpose of the meeting requested was To present to the Vatican the preliminary results of a survey conducted in the countries of the Caribbean region, ten of which are still criminalizes homobadualityand ask the Catholic Church to make a strong call against these laws.

"We see a clear relationship between Existence of laws criminalizing homobaduality and attitudes in societyTherefore, it is very important that the Church decide, "he added.

Leonardo Raznovich, a researcher at the University of Canterbury, Christ Church in the UK, in charge of coordinating this study promoted by the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights, explained the social impact of laws on people from communities gay, bad and transgender. and bibaduals.

"In the 10 countries where these laws exist, people are stigmatized for being homobadual or transgender and it generates social violence, for example in Jamaica, "he said.

He stated that in many cases The Catholic Church "exacerbates these attitudes by equating homobaduality and pedophilia", causing violations of human rights.

For the Argentineans Pedro Paradiso, Executive Director of ILGA, the International Association of Gay, Lesbian, Bibadual, Trans and Interbad, which brings together more than 1,500 NGOs from 100 countries, it was a "historic moment" and a "very important first step".

"There are still 70 countries criminalizing homobaduality, six countries punishing him for the death penalty"therefore considers that "a The overwhelming message of one of the world's most important religions is very important for future generations. "

Returning to the report, Cardinal Parolin pointed out that The Church is against violence and says "caring for people and dignity is a concern of the Church. We are against all forms of violence and we must all respect the dignity of all people. He also promised to share his concerns with the Holy Father so that the dialogue can continue.

"In this sense, we have to work and understand the historical context of an institution that persecuted and condemned us. This new stage will open the door to hope …We appreciate you receiving us and we appreciate it, "he said.

Although it was not received by the pope, the delegation considered that the meeting had been organized by Francisco himself.

In the statement made to Parolin by the delegation the Catholic Church is asked to declare that the criminalization of LGBT people is "a manifestation of irrational hatred for what is different" and an "intolerable affront to human dignity."

In addition, they ask that The Church calls on all states to protect the human rights of allthat an appeal be made in this direction to Christians and that episcopal conferences should be charged with working for the decriminalization of consensual badual relations between adults.

Finally, asks the Church to declare illegal "the application of so-called conversion therapies to cure" to homobaduals.