Dear John,

For nearly 35 years, Outright International has been raising awareness of human rights violations against LGBTIQ communities in every corner of the world ― working hand-in-hand with activists on the ground and other partners to drive change.

A critical part of this work happens at the United Nations (UN), where Outright holds consultative status and is Secretariat of an influential and impactful group of member states known as the UN LGBTI Core Group.

This month, as we begin the 2024 session of the UN General Assembly, we invite you to join us – and take a seat at one of the world’s most important tables.

Your gift will drive change – just look at some of the landmark advances in the human rights of LGBTIQ people that donors like you already helped make possible.

• Outright fought hard to get countries around the world to discuss sexual rights at the UN’s Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, giving the human rights of lesbians unprecedented visibility globally.
• In 2001, Outright and its allies at the UN fought for three hours for the opportunity for Outright to speak at the very first session on HIV/AIDS at the UN General Assembly – all in the face of heavy opposition by countries who said that an LGBTIQ rights group shouldn’t even be at the table.
• Outright spent years working with friendly governments toward the 2016 creation of an expert position at the UN to protect people from violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
• We led the charge to pressure UN Member States to confront the terrible harm of “conversion therapy,” resulting in an ongoing wave of policy change.
• Outright advocated with UN member states to ensure the passage of a resolution at the UN General Assembly in 2023 that helps ensure that no one faces discrimination in participating in elections on any grounds, including sexual orientation or gender identity.
• And just this year, Outright staff met with UN member states in Geneva to advocate vigorously for the passage of the first-ever UN Human Rights Council resolution specifically addressing harmful practices against intersex persons.

Strengthen Outright’s recognized leadership at the UN so we can continue to document, expose, and overcome global anti-LGBTIQ hate.

John, in the coming days, the annual General Assembly will be headline news. Your support will make sure LGBTIQ people are visible and heard in front of the cameras and behind the scenes.

Let’s work together for better LGBTIQ lives everywhere.

Yours sincerely,

André du Plessis [he/him]
UN Program Director
Outright International

P.S. Our work with the UN helps ensure global LGBTIQ communities facing erasure, violence, and oppression of all kinds don’t have to go it alone. Your support is urgently needed and will have an impact. Please be generous, and thank you.