OutTalks

2021 OutTalks Schedule

June 14 

9 AM ET 

3 PM Berlin

We remember Sarah Higazi, and we care about our mental health

This event is being held on the anniversary of the departure of feminist queer activist Sarah Higazi. It will focus on the challenges that activists from the MENA region face, especially in Egypt, Sarah's journey in activism, and how can we protect our mental health.

MODERATOR: Nazeeha Saeed, OutRight's MENA coordinator 

SPEAKERS: 

• Abanoub Osama, Egyptian activist, friend of Sarah Hegazy in Canada
• Malak Al-Kashef, a trans feminist activist from Egypt
• Tony Haddad, psychotherapist from Palestine

(This webinar will be in Arabic)

TBD

(RESCHEDULED) Online gender based violence: LBQ perspective

This webinar will provide an opportunity to hear the experience of LBQ in exercising their freedom of expression in the digital space and discuss online safety strategies to mitigate violation. This will be specific to Africa.

MODERATOR: Yvonne Wamari 

2021 OutTalks Recordings

Past OutTalk 

June 1

Resilience in Advancing LGBTIQ Rights Globally

OutRight Action International and the Partnership for Global LGBTI Equality (PGLE) invite you to commemorate #PrideWithAPurpose.

The critical societal challenges of injustice, oppression, discrimination, and inequality are the defining issues of our time, present long before the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has simply exposed and reinforced the systems that sustain and exacerbate them. As a result of the pandemic, society is at the threshold of a major change in how we view, define, and prioritize equity and inclusion of vulnerable populations, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) people. As history reminds us, the LGBTIQ movement emerged out of struggle and resilience. LGBT Pride is both a resistance to oppression and the promotion of self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and visibility. This discussion will uncover challenges and resilience strategies of multisectoral actors working in challenging geographies. Experts from civil society, the corporate sector and multilateral institutions will define pressing LGBTIQ public policy issues from different vantages and speak to the long-term strategies required to achieve change.  

OPENING REMARKS: Kathy Teo, Founder and CEO, Xpointo Media; Board Director, OutRight Action International

MODERATOR: Luzerne V. McAllister II, Director, Global Diversity Equity & Inclusion, PepsiCo 

PANELISTS:

Clare Iery, Associate General Counsel, Procter & Gamble
Michael Karimian, Senior Manager - Human Rights, Microsoft
Kenita M. Placide, Co-Founder/Executive Director, Eastern Caribbean Alliance Diversity and Equality (ECADE) 
Melisande Schifter, Project Lead, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, World Economic Forum
Michael van Gelderen, Human Rights Officer, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Past OutTalk 

May 27

Beyond Chechnya - Backlash Against LGBTIQ Communities Around the World

A discussion of the impact of the film, Welcome to Chechnya and the rise of the "traditional values" movement facing LGBTIQ activist globally. In 2017 the world was shocked by news of active persecution, arrest, torture and even murder of LGBTIQ people in Chechnya. In 2020 a documentary, "Welcome to Chechnya'', was released. But active targeting of LGBTIQ people takes place beyond Chechnya, across Russia overall. A backlash is on the rise in other countries around the world, standing in stark contrast with the incredible progress in the recognition of the human rights of LGBTIQ people. In Indonesia and Egypt criminalization of same-sex relations is pending, and violent attacks are on the rise. In Morocco and Sudan LGBTIQ-phobia is also increasing. 

MODERATOR: Jessica Stern, Executive Director OutRight Action International 

SPEAKERS: Olga Baranova, Moscow Community Center for LGBT+ Initiatives; Jonta Saragih, Indonesia Program Officer OutRight Action International; Azza Sultan, Middle East & North Africa Regional Program Advisor OutRight Action International

Past OutTalk 

May 5

Leaving no one behind: the Sustainable Development Goals and LGBTI populations

In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development . All of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets seek to realize the human rights of all. A key principle of the SDGs is the promise to “leave no one behind”, recognizing that these targets can only be met when the needs of all populations are adequately addressed; this includes vulnerable and marginalized populations. As such, this principle is particularly relevant to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) persons who are systematically excluded or discriminated against in society.

This webinar will bring diverse perspectives from civil society organizations (CSOs), United Nations Agencies, and Member States. The discussion will center around the importance of addressing LGBTI issues internationally as part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

MODERATOR: Luiza Drummond Veado, United Nations Program Officer

SPEAKERS:

Almudena Rodriguez is advocacy coordinator at L’Associacio de Drets Sexuals i Reproductius, and WMG Europe and Central Asia Co-Organizing Partner

Boyan Konstantinov is Policy Specialist with the HIV, Health and Development Group of UNDP in New York focusing on key HIV populations, LGBTI rights and inclusive development

Chris Zega is Ambassador with MY World México, a national branch of the SDG Action Campaign, and as Project Officer for the United Nations Sustainable Development Youth Solutions Network (SDSN Youth)

Mauro Cabral Grinspan is the Executive Director of GATE - Trans, Gender Diverse and Intersex Advocacy in Action 

Past OutTalk 

April 28

LGBTIQ Inclusive Gender-Based Violence Legislation in the Caribbean

Join OutRight's Caribbean Advocacy Officer, Anika Gray, for a discussion of how to ensure inclusion of LGBTIQ persons in Gender Based Violence legislation.

Past OutTalk 

April 21

Political use of homophobia in Africa

This webinar will focus on the political use of homophobia during the election period in Africa.

MODERATOR: Yvonne Wamari 

SPEAKERS: Davis Mac-Iyalla (Ghana), Jackson Otieno (Kenya), Joanita Ssenfuka (Uganda), Eudora Nwangwu (Nigeria)

Past OutTalk 

April 7

Building Your Legacy

How do LGBTIQ Donors Approach Planned Giving? What is Your Vision for LGBTIQ Equality and Justice? How Can Planned or Estate Giving Help Achieve Your Vision? Join us to learn more about our OutStanding Legacy Circle for donors who want to invest in the future of the global LGBTIQ movement and OutRight’s work.

MODERATOR: Chandler Bazemore, OutRight's Senior Development Manager

SPEAKERS: Deb L. Kinney, estate planning expert and Of Counsel, Johnston, Kinney & Zulaica LLP; Sarah Anderson, LGBT philanthropy expert and VP, Campbell & Company; Roger Doughty, President of Horizons Foundation & OutRight Donor, and OutRight donors who have already joined our OutStanding Legacy Circle.

Past OutTalk

March 31

Over-policed, Under-protected: The Experiences of Trans and Gender Diverse Communities in the Caribbean

This webinar will present the new UCTRANS/OutRight Action International report on lived trans realities in the Caribbean. 

MODERATOR: Anika Gray, OutRight's Caribbean Advocacy Officer

SPEAKERS: Alexus D´Marco, Executive Director, UCTRANS; Erika Castellanos, Director of Programs, GATE; Rikki Nathanson, OutRight's board member and Director of Housing Programs, Casa Ruby

Past OutTalk

March 10

Edging towards “I do”: Europe

Every year the number of countries which recognize same-sex partnership (either through civil unions or equal marriage) increases. But not without opposition. Same-sex marriage is also, more and more, used by opponents as a way to paint an existential threat posed by LGBTIQ people and movements to families and societies as a whole. In the first of a series of OutTalks focusing on the path to “I do” we will speak to activists in Switzerland, Latvia and Montenegro.

MODERATOR: Daina Ruduša, Senior Communications Manager, OutRight Action International,

SPEAKERS: Kaspars Zālītis, Member of the Board, Association of LGBT and their friends Mozaika; Danijel Kalezić, President of the Board, LGBTIQ Association “Queer Montenegro”; Maria von Känel, committee member "marriage for all" and general manager of the Swiss Rainbow Families Association

Past OutTalk

March 2

Exploring Gender Diversity in Indonesia's Bugis Culture

The Bugis people are one of the hundreds of ethnic groups that live in the Eastern part of Indonesia on the island of Sulawesi. This webinar is aimed at looking closer at how the indigenous community in the Eastern part of Indonesia has been celebrating the diversity of gender and sexuality for hundreds of years. Looking at the unprecedented anti-gender movements in Indonesia, we are going to explore how the cultural richness of Bugis people is at risk and what can be done to preserve and respect these local queer identities in this globalizing world.

MODERATOR: Jonta Saragih

Recording

(in Bahasa)

Past OutTalk

February 8

Bhutan decriminalized same-sex sexual activity, what's next?

Activists from Bhutan discuss the December 2020 ruling to decriminalize same-sex sexual activity. They share where they go from here and consider their position in the global LGBTIQ movement. 

SPEAKERS: Nazeeha Saeed, Arabic Media Coordinator, OutRight Action International; Tashi Tsheten, the director of Rainbow Bhutan; Namgay

Recording 

2020 OutTalks Recap

2020 OutTalks Playlist

In spring 2020, as the world scrambled to adjust to the reality of living and working under COVID-19 restrictions, OutRight launched the webinar series OutTalks to stay connected and engaged with, and shed light on the particular challenges facing the global LGBTIQ community. OutTalks have included topics like: Artivisim, impact of COVID on the LGBTIQ community around the world, domestic violence, gender identity and trans rights. Check out some of these webinars on the YouTube playlist.

8/26/2020

Spotlight on Lebanon: What is happening in Beirut after the explosion?

Moderated by: Nazeeha Saeed, Arabic Media Project Coordinator

8/27/2020

LGBTIQ Protections at the Frontline of Haiti's Presidential Decrees

Moderated by: Neish McLean, Former Caribbean Program Officer

9/30/2020

Art and Human Rights - Exploring artivism as a conversation starter

Moderated by: Yvonne Wamari, Africa Program Officer

10/14/2020

COVID-19 Update: Revisiting LGBTIQ Communities Six Months into the Pandemic

Moderated by: Amie Bishop, Senior Research Consultant

10/21/2020

Welcome to Chechnya Now, an update from Russian Activist Olga Baranova

Moderated by: Daina Rudusa, Communications Manager

10/28/2020

Queering Peace, Security and Humanitarian Response: Experiences of LGBTIQ People

Moderated by: Ging Cristobal, Asia Program Officer; Nazeeha Saeed, Arabic Media Project Coordinator; Sahar Moazami, UN Program Officer

11/11/2020

What the US Election Means for Global LGBTIQ Activism

Moderated by: Ging Cristobal, Asia Program Officer; Nazeeha Saeed, Arabic Media Project Coordinator; Sahar Moazami, UN Program Officer

11/18/2020

Gender Identity Recognition: A Caribbean Perspective

Moderated by: Neish McLean, Former Caribbean Program Officer

2020 OutSummit

On December 9-11 we had our 6th OutSummit and 1st virtual annual global summit for the human rights of LGBTIQ People.