OutRight Action International

OutRight Action International is a non-governmental organization that advocates for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) individuals around the world, working in collaboration with United Nations agencies, such as the UN Development Programme and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The organization has been a key player in promoting LGBT rights globally, working with partners like the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and the Global Equality Fund. OutRight Action International has also worked closely with human rights defenders like Malala Yousafzai and Angela Davis to advance the rights of marginalized communities, including those affected by HIV/AIDS and sex work. The organization's work is informed by the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Yogyakarta Principles.

● History

OutRight Action International was founded in 1990 as the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), with the goal of promoting LGBT rights globally, particularly in regions where homophobia and transphobia are prevalent, such as Africa and the Middle East. The organization has worked with LGBT activists like Harvey Milk and Sylvia Rivera to advance the rights of LGBT individuals and has been a key player in the development of LGBT rights movements in countries like South Africa and Brazil. OutRight Action International has also collaborated with international organizations like the European Union and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to promote human rights and LGBT rights globally. The organization's history is closely tied to the work of LGBT rights pioneers like Marsha P. Johnson and Audre Lorde, who fought for the rights of marginalized communities.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The mission of OutRight Action International is to advocate for the human rights of LGBTI individuals around the world, with a focus on promoting equality, justice, and dignity for all, as enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. The organization's objectives include documenting and exposing human rights abuses against LGBTI individuals, providing technical assistance and capacity building to LGBT organizations and human rights defenders, and advocating for the inclusion of LGBT rights in international human rights law, including the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. OutRight Action International works closely with UN agencies like the UN Women and the UN Children's Fund to promote the rights of marginalized communities, including refugees and migrants. The organization's work is guided by the principles of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

● Programs_and_Initiatives

OutRight Action International implements a range of programs and initiatives to promote LGBT rights globally, including the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, which provides an opportunity for civil society organizations to engage with governments on human rights issues, such as torture and arbitrary detention. The organization also works on HIV/AIDS and health issues, particularly in regions where HIV/AIDS is prevalent, such as Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, in collaboration with organizations like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. OutRight Action International has also launched initiatives to promote the rights of LGBT refugees and asylum seekers, working with organizations like the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Rescue Committee. The organization's programs are informed by the principles of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees.

● Global_Presence_and_Partnerships

OutRight Action International has a global presence, with partners and affiliates in over 30 countries, including Argentina, India, and South Africa. The organization works closely with regional organizations like the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to promote human rights and LGBT rights in regions where homophobia and transphobia are prevalent. OutRight Action International has also partnered with international organizations like the European Union and the Council of Europe to promote LGBT rights and human rights globally, including through the European Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice. The organization's global presence is complemented by its work with human rights defenders like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

● Advocacy_and_Campaigns

OutRight Action International engages in advocacy and campaigns to promote LGBT rights and human rights globally, including through the UN Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly. The organization has launched campaigns to address violence against LGBT individuals, particularly in regions where homophobia and transphobia are prevalent, such as Eastern Europe and Central Asia. OutRight Action International has also worked on campaigns to promote the rights of LGBT individuals in conflict zones, such as Syria and Ukraine, in collaboration with organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The organization's advocacy and campaigns are informed by the principles of the Geneva Conventions and the Hague Conventions.