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#PrideWithAPurpose
June 10, 2020| Contributed by OutRight Action International
For 50 years, Pride has been a time for celebration, visibility, protesting, and pushing for social change. In a time of crisis, Pride is also an opportunity to show up for each other and for the most marginalized in our community - everywhere. With this in mind, and recognizing the history of Pride, OutRight believes unequivocally that Pride must include an unwavering commitment to the struggle against racism and violence against Black people here in the US and around the world.
CAN’T PARTY WHEN WE BELONG IN THE STREETS
June 1, 2020| Contributed by Jessica Stern - Executive Director
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.
Jessica Stern honored as one of Crain’s New York Business 2020 LGBTIQ leaders and executives
June 1, 2020| Contributed by OutRight Action International
Crain’s New York Business honored 70 LGBTIQ leaders and executives from various industries and occupations, among them our own fearless leader Jessica Stern. Crain’s honorees were selected for their involvement in community and industry organizations, mentorship of others, and career accomplishments.
OutRight Action International Condemns Racially-Motivated Killings and Stands Against Racial Injustice
May 29, 2020| Contributed by Jessica Stern - Executive Director
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.
Health and Rights
May 29, 2020| Contributed by OutRight Action International
Executive Director Jessica Stern talks to George Ayala from MPact Global Action for Gay Men’s Health and Rights. They discuss how COVID-19 is impacting the global HIV response, including organizational setbacks, and increased scapegoating.
Back to the 80s!
May 27, 2020| Contributed by OutRight Action International
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.
Ahmed Shihab-Eldin Explores New Ways Of Storytelling
May 24, 2020| Contributed by OutRight Action International
Nazeeha Saeed speaks to Emmy nominated journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin about why he ended up in Kuwait, about enjoying time at home, exploring new ways of telling stories, and losing oneself in music.
Race and Equality
May 22, 2020| Contributed by OutRight Action International
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.
LGBTI Stakeholder Group Statement on Ensuring Inclusion of LGBTI People in COVID-19 Response Efforts
May 21, 2020| Contributed by OutRight UN Program
The bold commitments in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are being tested by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many long-standing inequalities and vulnerabilities impacting LGBTI people globally are magnified by this crisis. Governments must take action that specifically aims to include LGBTI people in policy responses to ensure no one is left behind. This is an opportunity to get back on track and radically shift “business as usual” to benefit the most marginalized and furthest left behind.
Coming Out On Television
May 20, 2020| Contributed by OutRight Action International
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.
2020 UN LGBTI Core Group IDAHOBIT Event Recap
May 19, 2020| Contributed by Katherine Martin - OutRight Communications Intern
On May 17, the UN LGBTIQ core group - a cross regional group of 31 United Nations Member States and the mission of the EU, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the NGOs Human Rights Watch and OutRight Action International - released a statement on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
OutRight TV: Living on the Other Side of the Wall
May 18, 2020| Contributed by OutRight Action International
Caribbean Researcher Kennedy Carrillo speaks with South African friend and colleague, Liesl Theron about how a South African ends up settling in Mexico City, the founding of the first trans rights organization in South Africa "Gender DynamiX", and life in lockdown in Mexico.
Break the silence - IDAHOBIT
May 17, 2020| Contributed by Katherine Martin - OutRight Communications Intern
May 17th marks 30 years since the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the classification of diseases and related health problems. In 2004, May 17 was named the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). IDAHOBIT is a celebration for LGBTIQ people everywhere.
UN LGBTI Core Group Statement on the Occasion of IDAHOBIT
May 16, 2020| Contributed by OutRight Action International
The United Nations LGBTI Core Group statement on the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
OutRight's Statement for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia and Intersexphobia
May 15, 2020| Contributed by Jessica Stern - Executive Director
IDAHOBIT is a day to reflect on the progress made in the recognition and protection of the human rights of LGBTIQ people, to zoom in on remaining challenges, and raise awareness about the levels of discrimination, harassment and violence LGBTIQ communities around the world continue to face every day, even in countries with explicit legislative and policy protections in place.