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Film as Activism? Impact Beyond the Oscars
March 1, 2018| Contributed by Mikelle Benfield - OutRight Communications Intern
“A film alone cannot change the world, it has to be seen, heard, and felt.” - Susan Sarandon
The same statement can be applied to activism, where efforts to bring about social change need to be seen, heard, and felt in order to change the world. Is it possible that film and activism can work together, where advocacy for social change is done through the medium of film? And if so, how can we make sure these films get seen, heard, and felt?
OutRight Signs On With 170 Other Organizations Condemning Recent US State Department Directive
February 28, 2018| Contributed by OutRight
OutRight with one hundred and seventy other organizations signed on to a community letter to Secretary of State Tillerson in response to the media reports detailing the United States State Department plans to eliminate content from the 2018 Human Rights Report on women’s and LGBTQ people’s rights. The letter has been shared with the State Department and many offices on the Hill, who are also quite galvanized by this issue. Politico reported:
Pride House and Visibility of LGBTIQ Athletes at the Olympics
February 22, 2018| Contributed by Mikelle Benfield - OutRight Communications Intern
It’s safe to say that Sochi’s Olympic Village was not a LGBTIQ-friendly community, especially if you compare it to this year's PyeongChang’s Olympic Village
OutRight Now: #DontBoycottBermuda
February 16, 2018| Contributed by OutRight
Last week, Bermuda became first in the world to legalize and then revoke same-sex marriage. Same-sex couples no longer have equal rights to marry and are only able to access a civil union.
Love, Peace, Pride, and Kindness - Valentine's Day
February 13, 2018| Contributed by Mikelle Benfield - OutRight Communications Intern
Recent Oscar awards shows have been a platform for the LGBTIQ community, from Boys Don’t Cry to last year’s best picture winner Moonlight. To prepare for this year’s upcoming ceremony, get in the mood with these five Valentine’s Day-inspired films that explore the complicated nature of love.
"We Are Here" is a Love Letter from Our Past
February 12, 2018| Contributed by Mikelle Benfield - OutRight Communications Intern
As a compilation of photographs, video, and interviews, “We Are Here” melds together a historic account of the 1995 United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing and its long-term effects on the LGBTIQ and lesbian human rights movements.
Indonesia: Intensifying Crackdown on LGBTIQ Human Rights
February 12, 2018| Contributed by Paul Jansen - OutRight's Senior Advisor Global Advocacy
The Anti-Pornography Law is the major legislation criminalizing LGBTIQ people in Indonesia and is being used to charge everyone; not a sodomy law or ban on gay sex.
Introducing Our New UN Program Fellows
February 1, 2018| Contributed by OutRight UN Program
OutRight is excited to announce that we have recruited three activists to engage in our new, year-long, immersive UN Fellowship Program, out of the over 560 applications received. The Fellowship has been made possible by support from the Global Faith and Equality Fund of the Horizons Foundation and is aimed to defend LGBTI people from the impact of religiously motivated violence and discrimination.
Meet the Host of India's Mainstream Media LGBTIQ Radio Show
January 26, 2018| Contributed by Holly Wang - OutRight Program and Comms Intern
“In India, same-sex marriage is not illegal, nor legal,” Harish Iyer--“perhaps India’s most outspoken gay rights activist”, as LA times claims--concluded when asked about India’s LGBTQ situation.
Sri Lankan Psychology Education Lacks Information on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
January 24, 2018| Contributed by Holly Wang - OutRight Program and Comms Intern
Although Sri Lanka elected the first female prime minister in the modern world in 1960, Sri Lankan women, including lesbians, bisexual women, and trans persons (LBT) have been facing unequal treatment on a daily basis – including gender-based violence (GBV).
Remembering Samoan Fa'afafine Activist To'oto'oali'i Roger Stanley
January 23, 2018| Contributed by
OutRight Action International is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of beloved Samoan fa'afafine activist To’oto’oali’i Roger Stanley. Roger was a fierce leader of fa'afafine rights in the Pacific and around the world. She was courageous and dedicated to making the world a better place for LGBTIQ people everywhere. Roger will be missed but her legacy will continue.
OutRight Attends Seattle Women's March 2.0
January 22, 2018| Contributed by OutRight
OutRight's West Coast Director, Katie Hultquist, attended this weekend's Seattle Women's March 2.0. Katie spoke at the rally on the human rights of queer women, linking local and global organizing so no one is left behind, and how we can build together a world with freedom, equality and dignity for all LGBTIQ people. Below is a video embed of her speech that starts at 1:04:15 or read her speech below:
Remembering Activist Kagendo Murungi
January 2, 2018| Contributed by OutRight
At OutRight, we are saddened to learn that our former colleague and Africa Program Manager, Kagendo, recently passed much too early. She was a fierce feminist, advocate, artist and filmmaker who fought for social justice in so many ways.
Highlights of Our Work in 2017
December 26, 2017| Contributed by MJ Moneymaker - Digital Comms Manager
In 2017, we saw an assault on human rights globally. For every step forward, we struggled NOT to take a step back. We celebrated increasing transgender rights in Botswana and across 22 countries thanks to a landmark European Court of Human Rights ruling, and we were overjoyed by marriage equality in Australia. But, the increasing racism, sexism, Islamophobia and xenophobia made some LGBTIQ people even more unsafe.
Sergey Astafyev is Pushing for LGBTIQ Awareness in Kazakhstan
December 21, 2017| Contributed by OutRight
Global LGBTIQ advocates convened this December for OutRight’s annual Advocacy Week in New York City. The ten day event had advocates amass for trainings and meetings with U.N. representatives to discuss global LGBTIQ issues.
