Global Movement Celebrates 35 Years

For 35 years Outright International has worked with partners around the globe to strengthen the capacity of the human rights movement by documenting & amplify human rights violations & advocating for inclusion & equality. Julie Dorf, Outright Founder stated, "When we founded Outright 35 years ago, we couldn't have imagined both how far we'd come or the ferocity of today's backlash. This anniversary isn't just a celebration—it's about transferring hard-won knowledge while learning from a new generation that's refusing to accept these rollbacks as inevitable." Maria Sjödin, Outright Executive Director added, "Since becoming Executive Director, I’ve watched governments weaponize our identities, cut funding, and try to intimidate entire communities into silence. But here’s what they underestimate: the global movement that Outright has helped build for 35 years. When crises hit, we don’t wait. We act. We get resources to those who need them, amplify voices that are being silenced & protect the progress generations fought for. Today’s backlash is real, but so is the power we’ve inherited from those who came before us & it’s what will carry us through the next 35 years." Jessica Stern, Outright Executive Director 2012-2021 & Former U.S. Special Envoy for LGBTQ Rights concluded, "As U.S. Special Envoy, I saw up close how few governments intervene when LGBTQI+ people are attacked or criminalized. That dehumanization & its normalization is staggering. It’s why strong LGBTQI+ movements are essential—not only to demand justice for our communities, but to defend anyone targeted for who they are. We deserve far more than survival. We deserve safety, dignity & joy." I talked to Jessica Stern back in 2016 about this movement in this exclusive podcast. LISTEN

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