Could gay vote sway presidential election?

IN A LARGELY conservative society, Panama’s gay community , in the past, has been relegated to the political sidelines but, for the 2014 elections some politicians are taking a new look at an organized and vocal group that could provide a swing vote.

According to studies by the American biologist Alfred Kinsey,  10% of the world population is homosexual.

Institutions such as the United Nations indicate that the proportion varies by country , and that roughly 5% of the population belong to this group .
Figures from the Electoral Tribunal of Panama show that there are of 2,416 866 voters and of these, based upon percentages published by US biologist Alfred Kinsey who believed that 10% of the world’s population was homsexual or the UN which places the figure at 5%. Panama’s LGBT (Lesbian,Gay,Bi sexual,Transvestite) represent between 120,000 and 240,000 votes, depending on whose statistics you favor.
“Regardless of which of the two references is used, both are significant says a La Prensa report,, Especially when taking into account that in Panama , historically , far smaller numbers of votes have determined the outcome of presidential elections, In 1994, for example, Balladares defeated Mireya Moscoso by 45,000 votes.
In addition to the Presidential race, , within 26 weeks Panamanians elect the National Assembly members, mayors and representatives.
That’s why in the coming weeks Ricardo Beteta, president of the Association of Men and Women of Panama, will be talking with different parties to expose their collective priorities The idea , he says, is to present an agenda of issues related to human rights.
For example arrests , which are considered arbitrary by the National Police , the financial support for campaigns of HIV – AIDS prevention , the promotion of a new law on sexual health, and penalizing discrimination against them.
"While we are not a power, yes we are definitely a factor. Our vote counts. We will take notice of the proposals made by the candidates to ponder our decision,” Beteta told La Prensa.
Sociologist Rubiela Sanchez estimated that over the years the gay community has conquered more space  " here is a growing number of people with different sexual orientation than heterosexual , who decide to break paradigms and demand to legislate in favor of their rights ," he says.
" LGBT people , like all citzens, , should have all the rights that are accorded to others. They have the right to participate in public affairs, vote , stand and be elected , " says Carmen Rosa Villa , Central American representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights .
Within the political group in Panama supporting the LGBT community is Minister of Social Development Guillermo Ferrufino , CD , and the mayoralty candidate Panameñista Jose Blandon.
In recent years, but not this year, both have made appearances at the Gay Pride parade..
At the time, Blandon said he would support the creation of a bill that gay couples can inherit. Ferrufino requested respect for the human rights of this community.
The same parade was also attended Cebamanos Fernando , president of the Broad Front for Democracy and Teresita Yániz , vice president of the Partido Popular.
"We believe in human dignity . We are not exclusive," says Yániz .
LGBT activist Augustine Clement,says "The dilemma politicians now have is how to win the gay vote without losing the support of the conservative community . In the case of Panamanian society , it is ultra-conservative , "he says .
In his view, the fact that several local politicians join the cause is partly due to the image of progress that Panama wants to sell abroad.
"The first world image we want to give cannot go hand in hand with allegations of abuse against human rights. It is important to remember that the progress that LGBT has achieved has not only have been in Panama , but throughout the world," he adds .
In the past two decades, years, there has been political progress with countries allowing marriage between same sex coupless, including Argentina , Uruguay , Brazil and the United States. Another 36 nations have laws that recognize the rights of same-sex couples .
In terms of political activism, in the Regional Assembly of Madrid there is a transsexual MP. ( Carla Antonelli ) , while in the Polish Congress the transsexual Anna Grodzka aspires to be Parliamentary Vice President.
In Mexico , Benjamin Medrano this year became the first openly gay mayor of that country. And since last year Tammy Baldwin became the first elected U.S. Senator openly lesbian.