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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.
2ND PHASE COMPLETED TO ENHANCE DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE PROTECTIONS FOR LGBT PEOPLE IN PHILIPPINES AND SRI LANKA
March 18, 2021| Contributed by Grace Poore - OutRight's Asia Regional Coordinator

In 2019 and 2020, OutRight, EnGenderRights, Women and Media Collective, and Venasa Transgender Network partnered to build on previous results achieved in 2016-2018 in the Philippines and Sri Lanka to improve LGBTIQ services and protections for domestic and family violence(DV/FV). In the second phase of this project, the partnership has broadened the geographic reach within the two countries to other cities in the Philippines and to other rights organizations in Sri Lanka with the goal of strengthening the pre-conditions for instituting LGBTIQ inclusive, responsive services for domestic and family violence which are among the most prevalent forms of gender-based violence facing LGBTIQ communities.
OutRight Welcomes Religion Fellows 2021
March 16, 2021| Contributed by OutRight UN Program

OutRight is excited to announce that we have recruited six activists from South America, the Caribbean, and Africa to engage in our year-long, immersive Religion Fellowship Program. The Fellowship is aimed to defend LGBTIQ people from the impact of religiously motivated violence and discrimination.
Aalap Shah Becomes Co-Chair of the Board
March 9, 2021| Contributed by Daina Ruduša - OutRight Sr Communications Manager

During the last meeting of the board of OutRight Action International in February 2021, Aalap Shah was voted in as the new Co-Chair of the Board. Former Co-Chair Micheal Ighodaro stepped down after his term ended. Co-Chair Jenny Pizer continues in her role.
OutRight Mourns Passing of Former Board Co-Chair Colin Robinson
March 5, 2021| Contributed by OutRight Action International

OutRight Mourns the passing of pioneering LGBTIQ activist and writer Colin Robinson from Trinidad & Tobago. Colin died of cancer on 4 March 2021 in Washington DC.
2021 Myanmar Crisis: Implications for LGBTQ People
March 2, 2021| Contributed by Grace Poore - OutRight's Asia Regional Coordinator

On February 1, Myanmar’s military, the Tatmadaw, orchestrated a coup, alleging voter fraud in the November 8, 2020 elections that declared the National League for Democracy (NLD) the winner. The Tatmadaw has declared a state of emergency and arbitrarily detained the civilian government leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. Several other political leaders and state officials, who publicly criticized the coup, have been arrested and charged under Article 505(b) of the Penal Code for “public disturbance,” issuing statements or publications to undermine the government, and/or “with intent to cause or likely cause fear or alarm to the public...offense against the State or against the public tranquility.” Penalties are fines and a potential two-year prison term. In response to the illegal military takeover, thousands (possibly hundreds of thousands) people are protesting countrywide in a Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM).
OutRight Launches New Call for Proposals to COVID-19 Global LGBTIQ Emergency Fund
February 23, 2021| Contributed by OutRight International

The global COVID-19 emergency presents tremendous challenges to LGBTIQ people, especially in places with deep poverty and weak health systems or government infrastructure. When a crisis hits “everyone,” the most marginalized become even more vulnerable. LGBTIQ people in many parts of the world cannot count on governments or relief organizations for help.
Philippines and Myanmar Striving for Domestic & Family Violence Protections
November 25, 2020| Contributed by Grace Poore - OutRight's Asia Regional Coordinator

In 2018, OutRight received a two-year grant from the Human Rights Initiative of Open Society Foundations to lay the groundwork for an Asia regional platform of LGBTI-centered expertise on domestic and family violence (DV/FV) – providing opportunities for ideas and advocacy exchange and linking national anti-DV/FV initiatives to a regional platform on SOGIE and gender based violence (GBV). The grant also supports two country projects – a new Myanmar initiative undertaken in partnership with OutRight’s country partner, Equality Myanmar to advocate DV/FV legal protections for LGBT people and educate LGBT communities about DV/FV, and a Phase 2 Philippines project undertaken with EnGendeRights, Inc. to improve LGBTI help-seeking for DV/FV services from local government units (barangays) that were trained in Phase 1 of the project in 2016-2018.
New Regional Network on SOGIE & GBV Launched In Asia
November 18, 2020| Contributed by Grace Poore - OutRight's Regional Program Coordinator for Asia

Since 2012, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocates in at least nine countries in Asia have documented and reported that domestic and family violence is widely prevalent in LGBTI communities with few or no options to safely access protections and support services. Those committing the abuses are primarily parents, older brothers, family elders or intimate partners.