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** March 2025
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Dear Friend,
Across the globe, LGBTIQ lives are under siege. From emboldened governments criminalizing Pride to rising digital threats and systemic erasure, fear is being weaponized. But in the face of escalating attacks, our communities are not backing down—we are rising, organizing, and resisting. At Outright, we know that solidarity is more than a principle. It is a lifeline.
This month’s updates spotlight acts of courage, resistance, and joy—proving once again that our global movement is stronger together.
You will read about Kazakhstani feminist activist Zhanar Sekerbayeva’s arrest ([link removed]) and the defiant resistance rising in its wake.
In June, we’ll come together to celebrate 35 years of activism at our Celebration of Courage awards and gala ([link removed]) hosted by Karamo. Because even in crisis, we make space for joy, pride, and power.
Read on. Share widely. Take action.
** Lesbians* of the World United in NYC
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On March 14, Outright coordinated alongside the LBTI Caucus a historic demonstration at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza alongside lesbian, bisexual, queer, trans, and intersex activists during the 69th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69). Echoing the radical energy of the 1995 “Lesbian Tent” at the Beijing World Conference on Women, the Lesbians* of the World Unite! action reclaimed space and demanded global accountability.
With legal observers present, the protest embodied defiance and urgency as well as inclusivity and community as governments worldwide continue to roll back hard-won rights and try to divide our movements. This moment, rooted in legacy and led by communities, reinforced a truth we carry every day: our visibility is resistance, and our solidarity is power.
See Images From the Demonstration ([link removed])
** Intersex Women Are Women. Their Rights Are Women’s Rights.
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In a powerful call to action published on International Women’s Day, intersex advocate and Outright’s Senior Director of Global Intersex Rights, Kimberly Zieselman, reminds the world: “Our bodies are not up for debate.”
Too often erased from feminist spaces and LGBTIQ narratives alike, intersex women face compounded harms—medical abuse, legal invisibility, and social stigma. Zieselman, who hosted a groundbreaking panel discussion at the UN Commission on the Status of Women on the lived realities of intersex women, makes the case for embedding intersex people's rights into the global gender equality agenda and calls on all movements to embrace intersectional justice.
Read the Article Share the Message ([link removed])
** New Report: LBQ Women in Asia Face Escalating Digital Violence
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Outright’s latest report, “Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Women: An Overview of Emerging Security Threats,” ([link removed]) reveals a growing wave of online harassment and abuse targeting LBQ women across Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
The report, based on firsthand testimonies and regional data, explores how online abuse silences activism, perpetuates fear, and deepens systemic discrimination. But it also offers concrete solutions—for governments, tech platforms, and allies—to protect LGBTIQ lives in digital spaces.
Download the Full Report ([link removed])
** Defiant in Detention: Kazakh Feminist Activist Zhanar Sekerbayeva Freed Amid Crackdown on Dissent
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Outright International condemns the politically motivated arrest and 10-day detention of Kazakh feminist activist Zhanar Sekerbayeva, co-founder of Feminita and an Outright LBQ Connect Sounding Board member. Detained under dubious “public assembly” charges ahead of International Women’s Day, Sekerbayeva’s imprisonment reflects a broader crackdown on feminist and LGBTIQ activists in Kazakhstan.
From her cell, she penned a rallying cry: “Patriarchy, go away! … We are frightened, they make us feel anxious—that is why it is so important not to break and fight back!” Her release on March 10 underscores both the resilience of grassroots movements and the escalating repression those challenging authoritarian norms face.
Read the Full Letter ([link removed])
** Unapologetically Trans: A Global Conversation
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Join us on March 31 at 10 a.m. ET for a powerful International Transgender Day of Visibility webinar: “Unapologetically Trans: Breaking Barriers and Building Inclusion.” ([link removed])
This live event brings together trans leaders Alma Aguilar Betancurt, Oscar Fitzpatrick, and Tampose Mathopeng to explore what it truly means to fight for dignity, autonomy, and legal recognition around the world.
Moderated by Outright International, the conversation will unpack the urgent global need for self-determined legal gender recognition—because no one should have to justify who they are.
Reserve Your Spot ([link removed])
** Karamo to Headline Our Celebration of Courage Gala
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On Monday, June 2, join us at Pier Sixty in New York City for Outright International’s 35th anniversary Celebration of Courage awards and gala—a night of community, solidarity, and collective action.
We are honored to recognize Gender DynamiX—champions for trans and gender-diverse communities across Southern Africa—as the 2025 Felipa de Souza Award Honoree.
We are proud to recognize Deutsche Bank with the Outfront Award at this year’s Celebration of Courage Gala, recognizing their global leadership in leveraging corporate influence to advance LGBTIQ equality.
And we’re thrilled to welcome Karamo, Emmy-winning host, producer, and unapologetic LGBTIQ human rights advocate, as our evening’s host.
With powerful performances, inspiring stories, and a room full of changemakers, this will be a night to remember.
Let’s come together to honor the movement, fuel the fight, and commemorate 35 years of Outright's impact around the world.
Stay tuned for big announcements coming soon!
Tickets Are Limited — Reserve Yours Before They’re Gone ([link removed])
Your voice amplifies our fight. Sharing these stories will sustain the resilience of activists like Zhanar, whose courage thrives because of your solidarity. In these critical times, every click, share, and word of support sparks a light in the darkness. Help us keep that flame alive and please spread this edition widely.
Thank you for being part of this fight. Together, we are not only resisting—we are reimagining a world where dignity, justice, and equality are non-negotiable.
In solidarity,
Outright International
P.S. The fight for equality is global, urgent, and ongoing. Your support fuels frontline advocacy, emergency grants, and programs that change lives. Make a gift today ([link removed]) .
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