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Highlights of Our Work in 2019
December 17, 2019| Contributed by MJ Moneymaker - OutRight Digital Communications Manager
In 2019, we worked to hold the line as the assault on human rights globally continued and we stood strong seeing some steps forwards in advancing human rights for LGBTIQ people everywhere. But, the increase in discrimination, racism, sexism, Islamophobia, and xenophobia made LGBTIQ people globally even more unsafe. Members of our community suffered acutely from Nigeria, Uganda, Chechnya, Malaysia while governments like Gabon have enacted laws to criminalize same-sex relations.
Meet OutRight's New Staff
December 16, 2019| Contributed by Kevin Wanzor - OutRight Operations Manager
OutRight has six new team members we'd like you to meet and get to know as we head into 2020. We asked each of our new staff when did they first know they were activists and what are they looking forward to achieving at OutRight.
Strengthening the Link Between Donors and Envoys
December 12, 2019| Contributed by Maria Sjödin - Deputy Director of OutRight Action International
December is always an extraordinarily busy and exciting time at OutRight Action International. We bring around 40 activists - or Envoys as we call them - to New York from across the world for several days of advocacy training, followed by a week of advocacy meetings with UN agencies, Member State Missions, and others.
Let’s Measure the Blocking of LGBTQI Websites Around the World!
December 3, 2019| Contributed by MJ Moneymaker - OutRight Digital Communications Manager
LGBTQI websites are blocked in several countries around the world, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia. This includes popular dating apps and sites, such as grindr, which is blocked in Lebanon and Iran.
The Application Window For The 2020 Religion Fellowship is Now CLOSED
November 27, 2019| Contributed by OutRight Action International
Applications are now closed for OutRight's Religion Fellowship, a 12-month program that supports LGBTI human rights defenders from around the world to harness the New York-based United Nations (UN) system to add value to their existing work.
How-To Support OutRight With A Facebook Fundraiser
November 26, 2019| Contributed by Cäcille Ealy - OutRight Development Associate
With the holiday season upon us, we at OutRight thought having a simple and clear way to make a Facebook Fundraiser was a crucial addition to our end of year fundraising toolkit. Be an inspiration to your friends and family. Create a Facebook fundraiser and give the gift of giving to everyone you know and love.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
November 22, 2019| Contributed by Emily Dwelle - OutRight Communications Intern
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which starts today, November 25th, is an awareness campaign that calls for actions to challenge discriminatory attitudes, improve laws and services, and end gender-based violence.
OutRight's Statement on Transgender Day of Remembrance 2019
November 19, 2019| Contributed by Jessica Stern - Executive Director of OutRight Action International
November 20th, 2019, marks the 20th Transgender Day of Remembrance. Observed every year since 1999, the day honors the memory of trans people whose lives have been lost to hatred and violence. Trans people are targets of harassment, shocking discrimination, violent, hateful attacks, and even death in societies across the world, including in countries with legislation and policies in place to protect people on grounds of gender identity and expression.
The Application Window For The Beijing+25 Fellowship is Now CLOSED
November 19, 2019| Contributed by United Nations Program Team
OutRight Action International is calling for expressions of interest from LGBTI human rights defenders from around the world who would be interested in participating in the various forums taking place around Beijing+25.
Trans Activist Rikki Nathanson Wins Landmark Case Against the Zimbabwean Government
November 15, 2019| Contributed by MJ Moneymaker - OutRight Digital Communications Manager
Rikki Nathanson, an OutRight board member and fierce activist for the rights of trans and gender diverse persons, has won a landmark case against the Zimbabwean government after she was awarded $400 000 by the country’s High Court. This is the first case in which the country’s judiciary has recognised that gender does not have to be either male or female.
An Interview With Matthew Mercer Of Chief Creative Officer At Critical Role
November 7, 2019| Contributed by Cäcille Ealy - OutRight Development Associate
At OutRight, we’re forever grateful to our community of supporters that time and time again go above and beyond by using their own unique talents to advocate and fundraise for us.
And though it’s not unusual for us to have an article thanking our latest crowdsourcer for their time and effort, what is unusual this time is who the individuals are – Critical Role.
International Pronouns Day
October 15, 2019| Contributed by Artie Bergren - OutRight Development Intern
Celebrated on the 3rd Wednesday of October, 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.