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When Labels Fail
October 8, 2019| Contributed by Daina Ruduša - OutRight Sr Communications Manager
I joined the LGBTIQ movement as a teenager because I was shocked at the levels of hate I was seeing when the first few Pride marches were being organized in Riga, Latvia, and I wanted to help, somehow. From early on, those I met there asked who I was. Was I a lesbian, was I an ally, was I bisexual? In the 19 years of life prior to meeting my LGBTIQ community, I had only been attracted to men. So I guessed that I was straight, and because people asked, I identified as such. But I didn’t like the label.
Coming Out 1: Attracted To Men. Coming Out 2: Trans Woman.
October 7, 2019| Contributed by Cäcille Ealy - OutRight Development Associate
In my opinion, if my first coming out story was turned into a picture film, it would’ve been a snoozefest. In comparison, my second coming out story would’ve been that unexpected salitcous sequel that not only makes up for the poorly portrayed first movie, but makes you second guess if you even watched the preceding film to begin with!
A 2019 'State of the Union' on LGBTI Issues And The Road Ahead
October 3, 2019| Contributed by Fabrice Houdart - OutRight Board Member and UN Human Rights Officer
In a connected world, it is unsustainable for a minority to gain dignity and opportunities in some parts of the globe while having to remain in the shadows in others. In the case of LGBTI people, this dichotomy often leads to either migration or despair… or both, as forced migration is rarely a “happy voyage”.
#TurnOffTheHate - Tackling Hate Speech Against LGBTIQ People
October 1, 2019| Contributed by Daina Ruduša - OutRight Sr Communications Manager
On September 24, 2019, during the UN General Assembly week, OutRight Action International, as a member of the secretariat of the UN LGBTI Core Group, hosted an annual event drawing attention to ongoing violence and discrimination against LGBTIQ people worldwide. This year’s focus was specifically on hate speech.
Meet OutRight's New Board Member Rikki Nathanson
September 23, 2019| Contributed by Em Rubey - OutRight Executive Assistant
OutRight is pleased to announce a new addition to its Board of Directors - Rikki Nathanson! Rikki is a fierce activist for the rights of trans and gender diverse persons, globally, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to OutRight's board.
OutRight Caribbean Partner Interview With Stephanie Leitch
September 20, 2019| Contributed by Daina Ruduša - OutRight Sr Communications Manager
Stephanie Leitch, founding director of WOMANTRA in Trinidad & Tobago, graciously took the time to answer a few questions about WOMANTRA, the LGBTIQ movement in the Caribbean, challenges, and International Day of Peace
Bisexual Visibility
September 16, 2019| Contributed by Artie Bergren - OutRight Development Intern
23rd September, is Bisexual Visibility Day, or Bi Visibility day for short. Started in 1999, Bi Visibility Day is an important way to recognize your bi+ friends and celebrate their identities. Over half of the LGBTIQ community identifies as bi+ (bisexual, pansexual, polysexual, or another identity attracted to multiple genders), but the perception remains that gays and lesbians are the majority.
A Queer Reading List
September 1, 2019| Contributed by MJ Moneymaker - OutRight Digital Communications Manager
From ancient cave paintings to today's story slams, we've always shared stories. The forms of storytelling may vary, but their essence are the same... to tell each other about our thoughts, feelings, experiences, observations, moments, events, and more. Some stories have been pasted down over centuries through performances, art, and writings. They are out there ready to be found. Some stories have yet to be voiced, drawn, or written.
Combatting Gender-Based Violence against LGBTQI and Women In The Caribbean
August 29, 2019| Contributed by Neish McLean - OutRight Caribbean Program Officer
Earlier this year OutRight and local partners founded the Frontline Alliance: Caribbean Partnerships Against Gender Based Violence. Within the parameters of this project OutRight Action International recently hosted training of trainers sessions in Haiti, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago to address gender-based violence against women and LGBTIQ people in the Caribbean.
Being a LGBTIQ Activist in South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago
August 26, 2019| Contributed by MJ Moneymaker - OutRight Digital Communications Manager
Welcome to OutRight podcasts. We partnered with StoryCorps to interview and archive LGBTIQ stories during OutRight's Advocacy Week. Our annual advocacy week brings together LGBTIQ activists from around the world to New York for a week of high-level meetings and activities at the United Nations.
What Is An Important Life Lesson You've Learned?
August 9, 2019| Contributed by MJ Moneymaker - OutRight Digital Communications Manager
Welcome to OutRight podcasts. We partnered with StoryCorps to interview and archive LGBTIQ stories during OutRight's Advocacy Week. Our annual advocacy week brings together LGBTIQ activists from around the world to New York for a week of high-level meetings and activities at the United Nations.
The Fight to Decriminalize Homosexuality Since the Repeal of Section 377
August 1, 2019| Contributed by Bex Montz - OutRight Operations Intern
Almost a year ago, on September 6th, 2018, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the application of Section 377 was unconstitutional. Section 377 was a colonial-era law which prohibited consensual same-sex sexual relations.
Conquering Summits and Negative Stereotypes
July 26, 2019| Contributed by Lilli Sher - OutRight Communications Intern
After scaling Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe, Dastan Kasmamytov unfurled a pride flag as he overlooked Russia -- a country known to codify homophobia in both social and legal spheres.
US State Department Hosts Second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom
July 25, 2019| Contributed by Maria Sjödin - Deputy Director of OutRight Action International
On July 16-17, 2019, the US State Department hosted its second annual Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom. While positioned as a human rights conference to promote freedom of religion and belief, and highlight persecution of religious minorities around the world, in fact it was a charade masking the underlying intention of undermining and challenging the universality and nature of human rights.
The Criminalization of HIV
July 23, 2019| Contributed by Bex Montz - OutRight Operations Intern
Last month, I jumped at the opportunity to attend a panel discussion at the UN on the criminalization of HIV. Through the panel discussion, I learned that HIV criminalization is not the straightforward criminalization of HIV status, but it does stigmatize and discriminate against people living with HIV (PLHIV).