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The Fight to Decriminalize Homosexuality Since the Repeal of Section 377
August 1, 2019| Contributed by Bex Montz - OutRight Operations Intern

Almost a year ago, on September 6th, 2018, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the application of Section 377 was unconstitutional. Section 377 was a colonial-era law which prohibited consensual same-sex sexual relations.
Conquering Summits and Negative Stereotypes
July 26, 2019| Contributed by Lilli Sher - OutRight Communications Intern

After scaling Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe, Dastan Kasmamytov unfurled a pride flag as he overlooked Russia -- a country known to codify homophobia in both social and legal spheres.
US State Department Hosts Second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom
July 25, 2019| Contributed by Maria Sjödin - Deputy Director of OutRight Action International

On July 16-17, 2019, the US State Department hosted its second annual Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom. While positioned as a human rights conference to promote freedom of religion and belief, and highlight persecution of religious minorities around the world, in fact it was a charade masking the underlying intention of undermining and challenging the universality and nature of human rights.
The Criminalization of HIV
July 23, 2019| Contributed by Bex Montz - OutRight Operations Intern

Last month, I jumped at the opportunity to attend a panel discussion at the UN on the criminalization of HIV. Through the panel discussion, I learned that HIV criminalization is not the straightforward criminalization of HIV status, but it does stigmatize and discriminate against people living with HIV (PLHIV).
Beyond the binary. Seen. Included. Empowered.
July 16, 2019| Contributed by Artie Bergren - OutRight Development Intern

Nonbinary identities like my own are often disregarded, ignored, or at best, regarded with confusion. Especially in formal spaces. This was not the case at the event ‘Gender Diversity Beyond Binaries’ hosted at the UN on July 15, 2019, at the sidelines of the High Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development - marking the first time an event was dedicated entirely to trans and non-binary people’s lives at the forum. This intentional inclusion of nonbinary folks in formal spaces is desperately needed. It speaks to nonbinary people like myself on levels that binary people, especially cisgender people, could not begin to understand.
High Level Political Forum (HLPF) Statement by the UN LGBTI Core Group
July 16, 2019| Contributed by OutRight UN Program

Statement by the UN LGBTI Core Group
Chairperson,
Between International Women's and Men's days is Non-Binary Day!
July 15, 2019| Contributed by Daniella Angulo - OutRight Communications Intern

Yesterday, July 14th, was International Non-Binary Day! Nonbinary individuals don’t identify within the gender binary – that is, society’s traditionally assigned genders of either male or female. There are several different terms to describe this identity, like genderqueer, gender fluid, agender, gender non-conforming, and many more. The way people identify themselves is completely up to them, and it’s important to be aware of the multiple ways that they do!
The 2019 United Nations High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development Goals Primer
July 8, 2019| Contributed by OutRight UN Program

A short primer to help activists working on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression and Sex Characteristics make the most of your experience.
The application window for Advocacy Week 2019 is now closed.
July 3, 2019| Contributed by OutRight Action International

Applications are open for OutRight's global LGBTIQ movement to advocate at the United Nations. Every December, OutRight hosts LGBTIQ activists from around the world in New York for a week of high-level meetings and activities around Human Rights Day (December 10th).
ממש גאווה - Very Proud
June 27, 2019| Contributed by Lilli Sher - OutRight Communications Intern

Kabbalat Shabbat, or synagogue services on Friday night, is the best part of my week. While I do not abide by the traditional Shabbat laws, attending Shabbat services gives me the chance to refocus myself and my priorities by connecting to my religion and the Jewish community through song and prayer. If I ever have to miss Friday night services for some reason, my week feels incomplete.
Pride for my Community
June 26, 2019| Contributed by Bex Montz - OutRight Operations Intern

I didn’t want to go to the 2016 Trans March. I had come out as trans two years prior, dropped out of college, and moved back home to San Francisco. Now, I was having a hard time connecting with queer people in San Francisco and felt like I had no idea how to be a trans member of the queer community. Being trans made me feel more self-conscious than proud.
Pride the Caribbean Way
June 25, 2019| Contributed by Neish McLean - OutRight Caribbean Program Officer

Growing up, I thought pride was synonymous with a parade. The images, I often saw in the media depicted flags, glitter, beads and glistening bodies celebrating in the street with cheering and supportive bystanders. It reminded me of carnival in the Caribbean but not quite as attainable or supported. I yearned to experience the freedom a pride parade embodied and got the opportunity to participate in DC Parade in 2010. It was an excitingly liberating and carefree experience.
On Pride, Stickers, and Reclaiming Ballet
June 21, 2019| Contributed by Daniella Angulo - OutRight Communications Intern

I did ballet throughout middle and high school. I had a light blue water bottle that I took with me from school to ballet. I never put any stickers on it – I didn’t know enough of myself at that point to feel comfortable advertising my identity in this way, and my experiences with ballet only served to reinforce this discomfort.
Interview With The Author of Queer X Design
June 21, 2019| Contributed by Lilli Sher - OutRight Communications Intern

Andy Campbell is the author of Queer x Design: 50 Years of Signs, Symbols, Banners, Logos, and Graphic Art of LGBTQ. Published by Black Dog and Leventhal, Queer x Design is a compilation of the art and symbology borne from queer social movements. Ranging from pre-liberation lesbian pulp fiction to various modern pride flag designs, the book presents a wide variety of LGBTQ+ symbols from various communities and identities.
5SOS Fans Donate To Support Human Rights for LGBTIQ People Everywhere
June 19, 2019| Contributed by Cäcille Ealy - OutRight Development Associate

Creators behind fundraising projects to support OutRight continuously introduce us to communities that we did not even know had an interest in international LGBTIQ human rights.