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Madre de Sergio Urrego lucha contra el bullying en Colombia

Alba Lucía Reyes Arenas se convirtió en una activista vocal

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Alba Lucía Reyes Arenas en Bogotá, Colombia, el 24 de septiembre de 2018. Su hijo, Sergio Urrego, se suicidó en 2014 después de ser víctima del bullying homofóbico por parte de la administración de su colegio en la capital colombiana. (Foto del Washington Blade por Michael K. Lavers)

BOGOTÁ, Colombia — Alba Lucía Reyes Arenas está bien orgullosa cuando habla de su hijo, Sergio Urrego.

Ella dijo al Washington Blade el 24 de septiembre durante una entrevista en la capital colombiana de Bogotá que le gustaba la opera desde era “bien joven” y leyó su primer libro, “Historias sin fin,” cuando tenía seis años. Reyes dijo que su hijo era ateo y le gustaba el arte y las políticas.

Urrego también era miembro de un grupo de estudiantes anarquistas.

“Tengo muchas cosas que contarte,” dijo Reyes. “Para todas las mamás, nuestros hijos son muy especiales, pero Sergio si es desde era una personita si se interesaba por las cosas que son eran más de su edad.”

Urrego tenía 16 años cuando se suicidó el 4 de agosto de 2014.

Administradores y un psicólogo al colegio católico de Urrego en Bogotá lo atacaron después de que un maestro vio una foto de él besando a su novio en su móvil.

Los padres del novio de Urrego le acusaron de abusar sexualmente a su hijo. Urrego debía haber comenzado a asistir otro colegio el día después de su suicidio.

La muerte del hijo ‘fue algo angustiaste’

Reyes estaba en la ciudad colombiana de Cali cuando supo por primera vez que algo andaba mal con su hijo.

Ella regresó a Bogotá y llegó a su hogar alrededor de las 9:30 p.m. Reyes dijo entre lágrimas que la primera cosa que encontró era una nota con “letra muy grande” de su hijo.

Reyes dijo que al principio pensó que se lo había dejado a su madre, pero fue por ella. Reyes dijo al Blade que su hijo escribió, “Yo no podía ir al colegio porque se me presento un problema.”

“Cuando yo vi esta nota, yo dije algo pasó,” ella dijo.

Reyes dijo que luego fue al dormitorio de su hijo y encontró libros en su cama y una nota que le pedía que se los diera a sus mejores amigos. Reyes también encontró otras notas que su hijo había escrito antes de su suicidio.

“Fue algo angustiaste,” ella dijo. “Fue doloroso.”

Ley colombiana ahora prohíbe discriminación homofóbica en escuelas

La muerte de Urrego provocó indignación entre los activistas LGBTI en Colombia.

Reyes el 11 de septiembre de 2014 presentó una tutela contra del colegio de Urrego.

Un tribunal en Bogotá, unas semanas después, falló que Urrego había sido víctima de discriminación, pero Reyes no recibió ningún daño y el fallo no ordenó al Ministerio de Educación de Colombia que revisará las políticas del colegio.

Reyes apeló el fallo ante el Consejo de Estado, que considera las apelaciones de los tribunales administrativos. El entonces Procurador Alejandro Ordóñez — un oponente vocal de los derechos LGBTI que el presidente Iván Duque el pasado mes nombró como el nuevo embajador colombiana ante la Organización de Estados Unidos — falló en contra de Reyes basándose en que las escuelas tenían el derecho de prohibir “los besos y los abrazos.”

La rectora del colegio, Amanda Azucena Castillo, renunció el 10 de octubre de 2014. La Corte Constitucional de Colombia el 21 de agosto de 2015 revocó la decisión del Consejo de Estado y falló a favor de Reyes el 11 de diciembre de 2015.

Escuelas en Colombia no pueden discriminar en contra de sus estudiantes por razón de su orientación sexual. Una enmienda a la ley de no discriminación que incluye el nombre de Urrego también requiere que las escuelas colombianas actualicen sus políticas para garantizar que no sean discriminatorias contra la comunidad LGBTI.

‘Siempre me acompaña’

Reyes desde la muerte de su hijo se ha convertido en una activista vocal contra el bullying.

Ella estaba entre los 31 activistas LGBTI desde todo el mundo que asistió una cumbre del Human Rights Campaign que se realizó en Washington en abril.

Reyes en mayo viajó a Cuba para participar en eventos del Día Internacional contra la Homofobia, la Transfobia y la Bifobia que fueron organizados por el Centro Nacional de Educación Sexual (CENESEX). Mariela Castro, la directora del CENESEX que es la hija del expresidente cubano Raúl Castro, invitó a Reyes de participar en un taller a la sede del CENESEX en La Habana.

Reyes este año lanzó oficialmente la Fundación Sergio Urrego, que busca poner el fin a la discriminación en las escuelas colombianas y evitar el suicidio entre ellos que sufren la discriminación.

El dijo al Blade que el suicidio es la segunda causa de muerte en “nuestros jóvenes.” Reyes también notó estadísticas que indican 192 personas entre las edades de 15 y 24 en Bogotá se suicidaron este año.

“Es algo que aquí no se toca,” ella dijo. “No hay una institución que se brindando atención inmediatamente a los niños que están en crisis.”

La fundación ha respondido a casi 70 casos. También tiene talleres para niños y padres en empresas y en otros lugares por el país.

“Mi propósito es evitar que casos como los de Sergio de se sucede,” dijo Reyes.

Reyes en julio habló a un concierto en la Plaza Bolívar de Bogotá durante las celebraciones del Orgullo de la ciudad. Se terminó el 25 de septiembre una campaña de los medios sociales de la fundación con el hashtag “Celebro soy yo” que buscaba dar recursos y seguridad para aquellos que sufren discriminación.

“Esa campaña me da fuerza para continuar, para seguir,” dijo Reyes. “Ese tipo de campaña se ayudan. Ese tipo de campaña llegan al corazón de la gente.”

Alba Reyes participa en una marcha del Orgullo en Bogotá, Colombia, el 1 de julio de 2018. (Foto cortesía de Fundación Sergio Urrego.)

Reyes terminó la entrevista por decir que su hijo sería orgulloso de ella y del trabajo que hace en su nombre.

“Sea un angelito,” ella dijo. “Siempre me acompaña.”

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New York

Two teens shot steps from Stonewall Inn after NYC Pride parade

One of the victims remains in critical condition

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The Stonewall National Memorial in New York on June 19, 2024. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

On Sunday night, following the annual NYC Pride March, two girls were shot in Sheridan Square, feet away from the historic Stonewall Inn.

According to an NYPD report, the two girls, aged 16 and 17, were shot around 10:15 p.m. as Pride festivities began to wind down. The 16-year-old was struck in the head and, according to police sources, is said to be in critical condition, while the 17-year-old was said to be in stable condition.

The Washington Blade confirmed with the NYPD the details from the police reports and learned no arrests had been made as of noon Monday.

The shooting took place in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, mere feet away from the most famous gay bar in the city — if not the world — the Stonewall Inn. Earlier that day, hundreds of thousands of people marched down Christopher Street to celebrate 55 years of LGBTQ people standing up for their rights.

In June 1969, after police raided the Stonewall Inn, members of the LGBTQ community pushed back, sparking what became known as the Stonewall riots. Over the course of two days, LGBTQ New Yorkers protested the discriminatory policing of queer spaces across the city and mobilized to speak out — and throw bottles if need be — at officers attempting to suppress their existence.

The following year, LGBTQ people returned to the Stonewall Inn and marched through the same streets where queer New Yorkers had been arrested, marking the first “Gay Pride March” in history and declaring that LGBTQ people were not going anywhere.

New York State Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, whose district includes Greenwich Village, took to social media to comment on the shooting.

“After decades of peaceful Pride celebrations — this year gun fire and two people shot near the Stonewall Inn is a reminder that gun violence is everywhere,” the lesbian lawmaker said on X. “Guns are a problem despite the NRA BS.”

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India

Anaya Bangar challenges ban on trans women in female cricket teams

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar’s daughter has received support

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Anaya Bangar (Photo courtesy of Anaya Bangar's Instagram page)

Anaya Bangar, the daughter of former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar, has partnered with the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport in the U.K. to assess her physiological profile following her gender-affirming surgery and undergoing hormone replacement therapy. 

From January to March 2025, the 23-year-old underwent an eight-week research project that measured her glucose levels, oxygen uptake, muscle mass, strength, and endurance after extensive training. 

The results, shared via Instagram, revealed her metrics align with those of cisgender female athletes, positioning her as eligible for women’s cricket under current scientific standards. Bangar’s findings challenge the International Cricket Council’s 2023 ban on transgender athletes in women’s cricket, prompting her to call for a science-based dialogue with the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the ICC to reform policies for transgender inclusion.

“I am talking with scientific evidence in my hand,” Bangar said in an interview posted to her Instagram page. “So, I hope, this makes an impact and I will be hoping to BCCI and ICC talking with me and discussing this further.” 

On Nov. 21, 2023, the ICC enacted a controversial policy barring trans women from international women’s cricket. Finalized after a board meeting in Ahmedabad, India, the regulation prohibits any trans player who has experienced male puberty from competing, irrespective of gender-affirming surgery or hormone therapy. Developed through a 9-month consultation led by the ICC’s Medical Advisory Committee, the rule aims to safeguard the “integrity, safety, and fairness” of women’s cricket but has drawn criticism for excluding athletes like Canada’s Danielle McGahey, the first trans woman to play internationally. The policy, which allows domestic boards to set their own rules, is slated for review by November 2025.

Bangar shared a document on social media verifying her participation in a physiological study at the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, conducted from Jan. 20 to March 3, 2025, focused on cricket performance. The report confirmed that her vital metrics — including haemoglobin, blood glucose, peak power, and mean power — aligned with those of cisgender female athletes. Initially, her fasting blood glucose measured 6.1 mmol/L, slightly above the typical non-diabetic range of 4.0–5.9 mmol/L, but subsequent tests showed it normalized, reinforcing the study’s findings that her physical profile meets female athletic standards.

“I am submitting this to the BCCI and ICC, with full transparency and hope,” said Bangar. “My only intention is to start a conversation based on facts not fear. To build space, not divide it.”

In a letter to the BCCI and the ICC, Bangar emphasized her test results from the Manchester Metropolitan University study. She explained that the research aimed to assess how hormone therapy had influenced her strength, stamina, haemoglobin, glucose levels, and overall performance, benchmarked directly against cisgender female athletic standards.

Bangar’s letter to the BCCI and the ICC clarified the Manchester study was not intended as a political statement but as a catalyst for a science-driven dialogue on fairness and inclusion in cricket. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing empirical data over assumptions to shape equitable policies for trans athletes in the sport.

Bangar urged the BCCI, the world’s most influential cricket authority, to initiate a formal dialogue on trans women’s inclusion in women’s cricket, rooted in medical science, performance metrics, and ethical fairness. She called for the exploration of eligibility pathways based on sport-specific criteria, such as haemoglobin thresholds, testosterone suppression timelines, and standardized performance testing. Additionally, she advocated for collaboration with experts, athletes, and legal advisors to develop policies that balance inclusivity with competitive integrity.

“I am releasing my report and story publicly not for sympathy, but for truth. Because inclusion does not mean ignoring fairness, it means measuring it, transparently and responsibly,” said Bangar in a letter to the BCCI. “I would deeply appreciate the opportunity to meet with you or a representative of the BCCI or ICC to present my findings, discuss possible policy pathways, and work towards a future where every athlete is evaluated based on real data, not outdated perceptions.”

Before her transition, Bangar competed for Islam Gymkhana in Mumbai and Hinckley Cricket Club in the U.K., showcasing her talent in domestic cricket circuits. Her father, Sanjay Bangar, was a dependable all-rounder for the Indian national cricket team from 2001 to 2004, playing 12 test matches and 15 One Day Internationals. He later served as a batting coach for the Indian team from 2014 to 2019, contributing to its strategic development.

Cricket in India is a cultural phenomenon, commanding a fanbase of more than 1 billion, with more than 80 percent of global cricket viewership originating from the country. 

The International Cricket Council, the sport’s governing body, oversees 12 full member nations and more than 90 associate members, with the U.S. recently gaining associate member status in 2019 and co-hosting the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The BCCI generated approximately $2.25 billion in revenue in the 2023–24 financial year, primarily from the Indian Premier League, bilateral series, and ICC revenue sharing. The ICC earns over $3 billion from media rights in India alone for the 2024–27 cycle, contributing nearly 90 percent of its global media rights revenue, with the BCCI receiving 38.5 percent of the ICC’s annual earnings, approximately $231 million per year.

Women’s cricket in India enjoys a growing fanbase, with over 300 million viewers for the Women’s Premier League in 2024, making it a significant driver of the sport’s global popularity. The International Cricket Council oversees women’s cricket in 12 full member nations and over 90 associate members, with the U.S. fielding a women’s team since gaining associate status in 2019 and competing in ICC events like the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup qualifiers. The BCCI invests heavily in women’s cricket, allocating approximately $60 million annually to the WPL and domestic programs in 2024–25, while contributing to the ICC’s $20 million budget for women’s cricket development globally. India’s media market for women’s cricket, including WPL broadcasting rights, generated $120 million in 2024, accounting for over 50 percent of the ICC’s women’s cricket media revenue.

“As a woman, I feel when someone says that they are women, then they are, be trans or cis. A trans woman is definitely the same as a cis woman emotionally and in vitals, and specially, when someone is on hormone replacement therapy. Stopping Anaya Bangar from playing is discrimination and violation of her rights. It is really sad and painful that every transwoman need to fight and prove their identity everywhere,” said Indrani Chakraborty, an LGBTQ rights activist and a mother of a trans woman. “If ICC and BCCI is stopping her from playing for being transgender, then I will say this to be their lack of awareness and of course the social mindsets which deny acceptance.”

Chakraborty told the Blade that Bangar is an asset, no matter what. She said that the women’s cricket team will only benefit by participation, but the discriminating policies are the hindrance. 

“Actually the transgender community face such discrimination in every sphere. In spite of being potent, they face rejection. This is highly inhuman. These attitudes is regressive and will never let to prosper. Are we really in 2025?,” said Chakraborty. “We, our mindset and the society are the issues. We, as a whole, need to get aware and have to come together for getting justice for Anaya. If today, we remain silent, the entire community will be oppressed. Proper knowledge of gender issues need to be understood.”

The BCCI and the International Cricket Council have not responded to the Blade’s repeated requests for comment.

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New York

Zohran Mamdani participates in NYC Pride parade

Mayoral candidate has detailed LGBTQ rights platform

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NYC mayoral candidate and New York State Assembly member Zohran Mamdani (Screen capture: NBC News/YouTube)

Zohran Mamdani, the candidate for mayor of New York City who pulled a surprise victory in the primary contest last week, walked in the city’s Pride parade on Sunday.

The Democratic Socialist and New York State Assembly member published photos on social media with New York Attorney General Letitia James, telling followers it was “a joy to march in NYC Pride with the people’s champ” and to “see so many friends on this gorgeous day.”

“Happy Pride NYC,” he wrote, adding a rainbow emoji.

Mamdani’s platform includes a detailed plan for LGBTQ people who “across the United States are facing an increasingly hostile political environment.”

His campaign website explains: “New York City must be a refuge for LGBTQIA+ people, but private institutions in our own city have already started capitulating to Trump’s assault on trans rights.

“Meanwhile, the cost of living crisis confronting working class people across the city hits the LGBTQIA+ community particularly hard, with higher rates of unemployment and homelessness than the rest of the city.”

“The Mamdani administration will protect LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers by expanding and protecting gender-affirming care citywide, making NYC an LGBTQIA+ sanctuary city, and creating the Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs.”

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