Who are we?
Diversidad San Martinense (DISAM) is a not-for-profit organization, made up of 22 young LGBT citizens, whose working objective since 1999 has been the development of efforts relating to the defense and promotion of LGBT rights and the prevention of HIV in this population, in the province of San Martín, Peru.
DISAM belongs to national networks of pro-human rights organizations such as the "RED DAS con Equidad," "RED Peruana LGTB," "Red macro regional de organizaciones y activistas LGTB de la región Oriente" and "Mesa de Concertación LGTB y Ts de San Martín," that carry out efforts of influence and social vigilence of public policy while promoting the particpation, recognition, and visibility of LGTB individuals in the local, regional, and national community. DISAM conceives gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transendered rights from an perspective that recognizes the diversity and fluidity of the sexual and gender identies that fall under these categories. We embrace the principle of equity and respect for everyone. The organization acquired legal capacity ("personería jurídica") in 2005 and operates throught the San Martin region. DISAM is authroized by the "Agencia Peruana de Cooperación" to present projects to the "Cooperación Internacional." Currently, DISAM is able to carry out activities thanks to the generorous support of international sponsors, including Hivos and the Tenth Round of the Global Fund. |
ContextThe San Martin department is located at an altitude of around 2800 feet above sea level, in the hight rainforest region of northeastern Peru. The department has an area of 31847 square miles and is divided into 10 provinces and 77 districts. The yearly temperature ranges from 65 degrees fahrenheit to 90 degrees fahrenheit.
San Martín is located in the northern and central sector of the Peruvian territory, on the eastern slope of the Andean mountain range. It occupy mostly high jungle regions. Nevertheless, some parts on the western portion of the department are on the border of the high Andes. San Martín also occupies half of the valley formed by the Huallaga river, a tributary of the Amazon river. In 2005, the population of the department was estimated at 788,195 and 15 indigenous communities, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Information. The principal economic activity of the zone is agriculture and ranching. To the North, San Martín borders the Loreto department, to the South, in borders the Huanuco department, and to the West, it borders the Amazonas, Ancash, and La Libertad departments. Based out of the city Tarapoto, DISAM carries out its activities throughout this region. |