Blog: Perspectives

In this intensely personal episode Senior Development Manager Chandler Bazemore opens up to Executive Director Jessica Stern about growing up as a Black man in Virginia - the capital of the confederacy, about the four key conversations parents have with Black kids as they grow up maneuvering racial inequality in the US, and his hopes and fears about the possibility of change in the aftermath of the worldwide protests sparked by the brutal killing by police of George Floyd.

Today was supposed to be OutRight's 30th anniversary gala. Oh, the dreams we had! Our board and staff worked incredibly hard on the gala, which was designed to celebrate decades of advocacy for LGBTIQ communities around the world and finance our global programs.  We postponed it several weeks ago due to COVID, and for the first time, I'm relieved. I cannot imagine celebrating tonight. Since the brutal killing of George Floyd set the US on fire, since we learned of the killings of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, Americans have taken to the streets to protest institutionalized racism and a fundamentally flawed criminal justice system. Of course, these terrible acts are not new; they join a long list of atrocities that have taken far too many Black lives. After a night’s sleep interrupted by police helicopters whirring loudly overhead as they tracked, photographed, and intimidated protestors across Brooklyn, I'm tired, furious, and heartbroken. I'm also reflecting on what I and we can learn from these simultaneous milestones. 

This week began with the horrifying news that yet another African American, George Floyd, died senselessly as the result of police brutality. The video of Mr. Floyd’s killing demonstrates yet again the ongoing violence against Black Americans, including the recent deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and racist threats against Chris Cooper.

Asia program project coordinator Ging Cristobal speaks to Ryan Sylverio, regional coordinator of the ASEAN SOGIE Caucus from the Philippines. Ryan shares how work in ASEAN on LGBTIQ rights was hampered by the pandemic, his 80's youtube workout and what he looks forward to when the pandemic ends.

Executive Director Jessica Stern talks to Carlos Quesada, Founder and Executive Director of the International Institute on Race Equality and Human Rights. Together they talk about being black, transgender, and a woman in Latin America. They discuss where those individuals fit into public policy, social isolation, and data desegregation during COVID-19.

Ice Seguerra - actor, singer, bad-ass guitar player, and transgender activist from the Philippines sings and shares with Asia program project Coordinator Ging Cristobal, the different songs that describe various monumental stages in his life. Ice discusses growing up in the spotlight, getting married and losing work, and being an activist simply by living an open life.