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Acronyms Explained
September 20, 2021| Contributed by
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.
Love Yourself And You Will Persevere
September 16, 2021| Contributed by Andrew Schlager - OutRight's Dev and Comms Assistant
Yet, the most important lesson I learned from coming out to my father was that other people’s issues with your sexuality should not be YOUR problem! I was lucky and privileged enough to have one parent who was accepting of my sexuality. So many people in the LGBTIQ community do not have this type of support. I want people to understand that for me, living in the closet was not worth it, and coming out to my parents was hard but necessary for me to live happily. For those who experience push back from their loved ones, it is essential that you don’t internalize their problems with your sexuality as your own. The rejection from your family is terrifying and extremely hard to digest, but loving yourself unapologetically and being proud of who you are is the best way to persevere.
Safety, Accountability, Sustainability For Asian LGBTIQ Advocates Working on Gender Based Violence
September 8, 2021| Contributed by Grace Poore - OutRight's Asia Regional Coordinator
The Asia Regional Network on SOGIE & GBV is a feminist, LGBTIQ-led, intersectional network of individuals with expertise on gender based violence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) communities in Asia. Funded and established by OutRight Action International in October 2020, the Network currently has 35 members based in 10 countries in Asia: India, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Timor-Leste. Members convene online for regional forums and webinars to share advocacy, expertise, and good practices for challenging GBV perpetrated against LGBTIQ people. This violence is not only because of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE), but also due to other factors such as their race, ethnicity, caste, mental and physical disabilities, religion, economic status, age and other identity markers.
In 2021 the Asia Regional Forum expanded its focus to support the wellness of members of the Asia Network on SOGIE & GBV to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of LGBTIQ groups working to stop GBV.
Disability and Sexuality at the United Nations
September 3, 2021| Contributed by Matthew Solomon - Communications Intern
On March 30, 2007, after nearly four decades of work, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and a corresponding Optional Protocol opened for signatures at the United Nations. A record number of opening signatures from 82 nations ensured its status as one of the most successful UN conventions since the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The convention contains wide-ranging obligations on behalf of signatory states, many of which re-assert values from the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as from the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights with special attention to the particular needs of persons with disabilities (PWD).
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.