The information that follows was obtained from the Movimiento Homosexual de Lima (Homosexual Movement of Lima, MHOL) Internet webpage (1998).

The Homosexual Movement of Lima (MHOL) is a political organization of gays and lesbians established in 1982. It fights against discrimination based on sexual preference and for the recognition of homosexuals' interests.

MHOL tries to provide solution to discriminatory situations, advocate the interests and rights of homosexual and bisexual persons, and attend to some of their needs in the areas of health, education and human rights.

Since its creation, MHOL have been structured as a non-profit civilian association with legal recognition, formed by the Associates Assembly and a Directive Board. The Board is currently staffed by Aldo Araujo (president), Liliana Asin (executive director), José Manuel Asencio (secretary) and Ruth Ramos (treasurer).

The main goals of MHOL are:

-To consolidate mechanisms and develop legislation aimed at reducing social violence against homosexuals and bisexuals in public and private environments, and to secure the right to sexual preference or orientation.

-To influence and help improve the coverage and quality of health services for homosexuals and bisexuals.

-To promote and disseminate the culture and identity of gays and lesbians in Peruvian society.

The target audience of MHOL are:

-Peruvian homosexuals and bisexuals;

-Education institutions, particularly public and private high schools, technological institutes and religious parishes;

-The general population, reaching it through MHOL publications and the media.

The areas of activity and services in which MHOL participates are:

-Human Rights, providing legal advice and educational workshops;

-Education and Culture, by offering advice, running a documentation centre and a video club, holding conferences, offering free workshops for dealing with personal identity, fear and anguish, gender and other issues, a matching service, and aerobic classes.

-Integrated health of homosexuals and bisexuals, through an AIDS hotline (Sidayuda), safe sex workshops, and training programs for health promoters;

-Production and publication of specialized bibliography.

MHOL has its main office located at Mariscal Miller street, Jesús María District, in Lima, Peru. It organized the First ILGA (International Lesbian and Gay Association) Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Lima from 7 to 10 December 1997, which received wide coverage in the local media (Boletin ILGA 1997). Participants in the conference included the ex-secretary general of MHOL, Rebeca Sevilla, MHOL president Aldo Araujo and executive director Liliana Asin (ibid.). Rebeca Sevilla was also an official representative of ILGA for the United Nations World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995 (ILGA 1995).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Boletin de la ILGA [Barcelona]. No. 4. 1997. Enrique Gongora. "Primera Conferencia Regional de ILGA para America Latina y El Caribe." [Internet] http://www.pangea.org/org/cgl/ilga/ boletin2.html>[Accessed 17 Sept. 1998]

International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), Brussels. September 1995. "Statement by Rebecca Sevilla (Peru)." [Internet] http://www.igc.org/beijing/news/ dtv3.html [Accessed 17 Sept. 1998]

Movimiento Homosexual de Lima, Peru. 1998. "El MHOL." [Internet]http:// www3.rcp.net.pe/usr/mhol/ [Accessed 17 Sept. 1998]