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Terminology Surrounding Gender Identity and Expression
August 25, 2021| Contributed by Matthew Solomon - Communications Intern
Everyone has a gender identity. For some people, their gender identity corresponds with the gender assigned at birth, for others it does not. Gender identities that differ from the sex assigned at birth, including ones beyond the binary, as well as the ways in which we express them, have existed across the world, for as long as life has existed.
However, only recently are we beginning to see a collective understanding of various terms associated with the topic.
This article aims to provide a non-exhaustive list of concepts and terminology associated with gender identity and expression.
Queer Legacies of Colonialism
August 16, 2021| Contributed by Matthew Solomon - Communications Intern
In September 2018, the High Court of India ruled that Section 377 of the Penal Code, which criminalized consensual same-sex relations, was unconstitutional. The victory was celebrated by both local and international activists, as the ruling was a high-profile case in a pattern of former colonies rejecting anti-LGBTIQ legislation that was impressed upon them.
Section 377 was imposed upon India during Britain's colonial control of the country. The criminalization of same-sex relations still exists in 67 countries today. Of these 67 countries, 65 are former colonies, and 46 are former British colonies. These laws, along with other remnants of colonial injustices, are part of a larger investigation into the lasting legacy of colonialism.
OutSummit 2020 Briefing Paper
August 16, 2021| Contributed by OutRight
Every year OutRight Action International hosts OutSummit, a conference for the human rights of LGBTIQ people held. It is held around International Human Rights Day because for too long, and to this day, the human rights of LGBTIQ people are often seen as somehow other to human rights, around the world LGBTIQ people continue to face discriminatory laws, violence, harassment, discrimination and even death for being the gender we are and loving who we do. OutSummit brings together people from across civil society, State and private sector boundaries to share insights and best practices, and to strategize for continued progress in the recognition and promotion of the human rights of LGBTIQ people.
Circuit Court in Ghana Dismisses Case Against 21 LGBTIQ Activists
August 6, 2021| Contributed by OutRight
On Wednesday, August 5, 2021, the Circuit Court at Ho in the Volta Region of Ghana dismissed charges against 21 LGBTIQ activists who were arrested in May. These activists were representatives of LGBTIQ civil society organizations who held a training session on protecting vulnerable LGBTIQ people from discrimination. They were charged with “unlawful assembly”, and detained without bail.
Same-sex relations between men are criminalized in Ghana under Section 104 (1)(b) of the Criminal Offences Act, which prescribes up to 3 years in prison for those found guilty of "unnatural carnal knowledge". However, this is not the article under which those arrested were charged. These activists were charged with the crime of “unlawful assembly,” even though the constitution guarantees the freedom of assembly and association for all.
Rights under fire in Hungary
July 23, 2021| Contributed by Matthew Solomon - Communications Intern
On June 15, 2021, by a vote of 157 to 1, the national assembly of Hungary passed a law which bans the "promotion" of information about LGBTIQ issues to minors.
The move is yet another attack on the rights of LGBTIQ people, a trend which has been growing in the country since the ascent to power of the Fidesz party and its leader Viktor Orbán over the last decade. Over the past year the Hungarian government passed a bill preventing transgender and intersex people from changing their gender marker on official documents, and parliament adopted an amendment to the constitution effectively banning same-sex couples from adopting children.
Board Member Micheal Ighodaro Featured in HBO Documentary “The Legend of the Underground”
July 19, 2021| Contributed by Matthew Solomon - Communications Intern
The Legend of the Underground, a new documentary that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and is now streaming on HBO, explores the difficult lived experiences of the Nigerian LGBTIQ community. OutRight Action International board member, Micheal Ighodaro, is prominently featured throughout the documentary as it follows the beginnings and continuation of his fight for LGBTIQ equity in his home country.
The Politics of Pride
July 19, 2021| Contributed by Matthew Solomon - Communications Intern
Pride events occur in more than half of the countries of the world. In places with long histories of Pride, events are a celebration of the advances made in recognition of the human rights of LGBTIQ people so far and a reminder of the challenges ahead. In places where Pride is a new initiative, they are often protests, challenging the existent social stigma, discrimination, and violence against LGBTIQ persons. Pride events are a way for LGBTIQ people to affirm our existence and fight for recognition and protection of our rights.
HBO Premieres Documentary Film The Legend of The Underground
June 24, 2021| Contributed by
OUTRIGHT WILL ACCELERATE PROGRESS FOR LGBTIQ RIGHTS WORLDWIDE THANKS TO GIFT FROM MACKENZIE SCOTT AND DAN JEWETT
June 11, 2021| Contributed by Jessica Stern - Executive Director of OutRight Action International
The journey for full rights and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people has far to go everywhere in the world. In 67 countries, homosexuality is still criminalized, while in 30 countries, there is not a single LGBTIQ organization serving and advocating for our community. COVID-19 has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities, causing LGBTIQ people to suffer disproportionately. Yet today, we celebrate news that MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett have made a gift to OutRight Action International, along with 285 other equity-oriented organizations. Their support enables OutRight to accelerate our work to advance the safety, security, and rights of LGBTIQ people globally. We are grateful, and we know exactly what to do.
How to be an Effective LGBTIQ Ally
June 11, 2021| Contributed by Matthew Solomon - Communications Intern
During Pride month, many people feel inspired to learn more about what it really takes to be an ally to the LGBTIQ community. Allies are crucial to the fight for recognition of the human rights of LGBTIQ people. Our allies serve as a much-needed reminder that the LGBTIQ community is not in this fight alone.
But, what does it really mean to be an ally for the community? How can allies mark Pride with a Purpose?
COVID-19 Global LGBTIQ Emergency Fund Recipients Reflect on its Impact
June 10, 2021| Contributed by Matthew Solomon - Communications Intern
COVID-19 has amplified the many glaring intersectional inequalities that marginalized communities across the world face. LGBTIQ people experienced devastation of livelihoods, higher rates of domestic violence, amplified challenges accessing healthcare, and increasing mental health issues. LGBTIQ people have also been blamed and scapegoated for COVID-19, further amplifying already prevalent levels of LGBTIQ-phobia around the world.
OutRight's Covid-19 Global LGBTIQ Emergency Fund: Applications from the United States and Canada
June 2, 2021| Contributed by OutRight International
On June 2, Google.org announced 2 million USD in support for OutRight’s Covid-19 Global LGBTIQ Emergency Fund. As part of this contribution, the fund will for the first time open up for applications from the United States and Canada.
LGBTIQ organizations will be able to submit applications for support. More information about the application process will be published on June 7.
OutRight Rolls out its First Merchandise Store in Time for Pride Month
May 31, 2021| Contributed by Matthew Solomon - Communications Intern
Coinciding with the launch of OutRight's Pride with a Purpose™ campaign, we are pleased to announce the launch of our first-ever merchandise store just in time for the annual Pride month!
“Can’t Cancel Pride” returns on June 4, benefiting OutRight
May 20, 2021| Contributed by OutRight Team
OutRight is thrilled to again partner with P&G and iHeart Radio on Can’t Cancel Pride, a virtual relief benefit on June 4 at 9 p.m. ET for the LGBTIQ+ community. The event will stream on iHeartRadio’s TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram TV pages, iHeartRadio’s PrideRadio.com and Revry, and broadcast on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app.
Pride With A Purpose™ | OutRight's 2021 Pride Campaign
May 4, 2021| Contributed by OutRight Team
Pride is protest. Pride is community, diversity, defiance. Pride is solidarity and bravery. It is a manifestation of our right to freedom of expression and assembly. It is a reminder that we are here, a way of dispelling misleading myths about us, and a way to demand recognition of our basic human rights. It is also the most visible element of the LGBTIQ movement to date.