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International Pronouns Day
October 15, 2019| Contributed by Artie Bergren - OutRight Development Intern
Celebrated on October 16th this year, International Pronouns Day seeks to make sharing and respecting everyone’s pronouns commonplace. This year will be the second year of its recognition, and I for one am excited to see how it will be celebrated across the world. As someone who uses they/them pronouns, I was excited when I heard about this day being celebrated for the first time last year.
Criminalization and Conversion. Prevalence and Practices of So-Called Conversion Therapy in Africa.
October 14, 2019| Contributed by Maria Sjödin - Deputy Director of OutRight Action International
“Conversion therapy” is the term most often attributed to practices which seek to change, suppress, or divert the sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression of people who do not fit the presumed norm of cis-gender heterosexuality. The practices are also called reorientation therapy, reparative therapy, reintegrative therapy, gay cure therapy, or, more recently, support for unwanted same-sex attraction or transgender identities.
Whatever Your Outness Looks Like, It Matters
October 10, 2019| Contributed by Artie Bergren - OutRight Development Intern
National Coming Out Day, celebrated on October 11th, seeks to show the world that LGBTIQ people exist everywhere, in every community. One of the founders of National Coming Out Day, Robert Eichberg, said in 1993 that “Most people think they don't know anyone gay or lesbian, and in fact, everybody does.
Coming Out?
October 9, 2019| Contributed by Ging Cristobal - OutRight Asia Program Coordinator
Let Me Count The Ways... 12 years old, grade 6, 1982 – 1sttime to “come out” to accept one’s feelings to another female schoolmate. She was a volleyball player and I never even gave her a second glance. But one day everything changed. She was like walking in slow motion, her smile magnetized me that I can’t look away. I find myself searching for her during the morning flag ceremony and I would glow inside every time she smiles as me. She never knew she was my first crush.
When Labels Fail
October 8, 2019| Contributed by Daina Rudusa - 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 Rudusa - 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 Rudusa - 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.
Acronyms Explained
August 12, 2019| Contributed by Bex Montz - OutRight Operations Intern
The language used to talk about LGBTIQ people is constantly evolving. New terms appear. Terms that were forgotten or unused, even terms that at some point were deemed derogatory, have been reclaimed and have entered into common parlance today. In a move towards inclusivity, the older, shorter, acronym - LGBT - has been expanded.