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The Shrinking Space for Civil Society at the United Nations
October 20, 2017| Contributed by Rashima Kwatra - OutRight Communications Officer
Like all NGOs, OutRight’s interventions at the General Assembly depend on civil society access to the UN. This entails physical access into United Nations (UN) buildings to engage with the various human rights mechanisms of the UN, including the UN Economic and Social Council, and even to special debates organized by the President of the General Assembly. OutRight utilizes its UN ECOSOC status every day to advocate for the protection and promotion of the human rights of LGBTI people within the UN system.
Strengthening LGBTIQ Advocacy Across the Caribbean
October 16, 2017| Contributed by OutRight Action International
OutRight is excited to report back to you after a few days in St. Lucia where over 50 lesbian, bisexual, and trans (LBT) activists and allies gathered at the 5th annual Caribbean Women and Sexual Diversity Conference.
What does "Sovereignty" at the United Nations really mean today?
October 12, 2017| Contributed by OutRight UN Program
On September 19, 2017, US President Donald Trump delivered a speech to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly where he highlighted sovereignty as the guiding principle of international relations.
Issues Impacting the Trans Community in the Asia Pacific
October 6, 2017| Contributed by Rashima Kwatra - OutRight Communications Officer
OutRight Action International Comments on US Position on the Death Penalty and Impact on LGBTIQ People
October 5, 2017| Contributed by
Last week the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution titled, “Question of the Death Penalty” which welcomes that many States are applying a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.
Cross Post: Statement About LGBTQI+ Human Rights in Egypt
October 3, 2017| Contributed by OutRight Action International
Transphobic Reporting in the Media - A Singaporean Case Study
September 28, 2017| Contributed by Abe Selby - Intern at OutRight
Things weren’t expected to go awry when Fadli and Fifi climbed into a taxi bound for Abu Dhabi’s Yas Mall. It never occurred to them that later that same day they would be sitting in a jail cell, unaware of their “crimes.”
Highlights from the United Nations General Assembly LGBTI Core Group Event
September 21, 2017| Contributed by OutRight Action International
On September 20th OutRight with the UN LGBTI Core Group held the 5th annual LGBTI Human Rights event at UNGA leaders weeks in UN Headquarters.
Quotes from Speakers at the LGBTI Core Group during the United Nations General Assembly
September 20, 2017| Contributed by OutRight Action International
Jessica Stern opened the event, introducing OutRight Action International, thanking the UN LGBTI Core Group, and welcoming the high-level government speakers. Recognizing the significance of the day’s event she noted, “Today’s gathering is the largest representation of States at the highest level on LGBTI human rights at the United Nations or anywhere – ever – that I’m aware of.”
Nada Chaiyajit, Gender Activist, Advances Rights for Trans Students in Thai University
September 12, 2017| Contributed by Rashima Kwatra - OutRight Communications Officer
As a trans female student, Nada Chaiyajit, gender activists from Thailand, faced severe barriers in accessing her education, continually being banned from sitting in exams when she dressed and presented herself as a female, and facing discrimination and harassment from teachers and students. Nada eventually dropped out of school and did not pursue her Bachelor’s degree again until 2013 at the age of 33. The second time around however Nada took it upon herself to challenge her university’s regulations and succeeded.
Invitation to Civil Society Consultations on the UNDP-led LGBTI Inclusion Index
September 6, 2017| Contributed by OutRight Action International
Introductory Webinar on the UNDP-led LGBTI Inclusion Index. Webinar will introduce the Index and outline opportunities to get involved in the consultation process to develop and refine indicators in five dimensions of LGBTI life: health, education, political & civic participation, economic well-being, and personal security & violence.
Jamaica’s First Organization to Solely Focus on Transgender Health and Well-being
August 24, 2017| Contributed by MJM - Digital Comms Manager and Rachel Alatalo - Intern at OutRight
Neish McLean is Co-Founder and Executive Director of TransWave Jamaica, an organization in Jamaica that works to build the trans rights movement by raising awareness and increasing the visibility of transgender Jamaicans to improve the needs of the community. We spoke with Neish McLean about the formation of the organization, Jamaica Pride (#PRiDEJA), and more.
Thai LBT Feminist Network Combats Violence and Murder Against LBT people in Thailand
August 23, 2017| Contributed by Rashima Kwatra - OutRight Communications Officer
OutRight’s Communication’s officer, Rashima Kwatra, had the opportunity to sit with Chumaphorn Taengkliang, Founder of Togetherness for Equality Group (TEA Group), a member of the Thai LBT Network, to get a sense of the vision and mission of the organization and the environment facing LBT women in Thailand.
Flags of the LGBTIQ Community
August 7, 2017| Contributed by
Flags have always been an integral part of the LGBTIQ community. They are a visible representation of identity that people use in celebration, in protest, or even as a casual adornment. There have been many LGBTIQ flags over the years. Some have evolved, like the original Pride flag created in 1978 by Gilbert Baker and flown at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day parade. While others are constantly being conceptualized and created.
Arrests in Nigeria and Why We Need to Support Groups on the Ground
August 7, 2017| Contributed by M.J. Moneymaker - Digital Comms Manager
Reuters on July 31, 2017, reported that a police spokesman told local media, this past weekend, that about 40 "suspected homosexuals were arrested", and would soon appear in court to face charges. According to OutRight’s board member, Nigerian activist Michael Ighodaro, there is contradicting information out there about these recent arrests in Nigeria. But one thing is clear, there is a pattern starting to build.