Dear John,
This Wednesday, I had the privilege of moderating a powerful online conversation on LGBTIQ+ Resistance in Times of Democratic Erosion. The event brought together inspiring activists from Argentina, Venezuela, and the United States—each working to defend and advance the rights of LGBTIQ+ people in the face of growing authoritarianism and repression.
What they shared was as sobering as it was hopeful. From crackdowns on civil society to the rollback of protections, the challenges are immense. And yet, these activists remain undeterred. Their courage, clarity, and unshakable commitment to justice are nothing short of extraordinary. At WOLA, we are listening and learning, from them and from all of our partners who we’ve had the honor of highlighting throughout this month’s Pride campaign.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared a wide range of content that reflects the strength and diversity of LGBTIQ+ activism across the Americas. We released a special podcast episode focused on the rights of LGBTIQ+ migrants along the U.S. Southern border as well as an article and published an in-depth piece on the state of trans rights in the region. We also uplifted the voices of activists through bilingual podcasts and a social media carousel celebrating their ongoing resistance. Each story, each voice, is a reminder of what’s at stake—and what’s possible when we stand together.
As Pride Month comes to a close, we want to be clear: our fight doesn’t end here. Defending the rights of LGBTIQ+ communities is not a one-month commitment—it’s a core pillar of our mission. Across the Americas, LGBTIQ+ people are still facing violence, discrimination, and attacks on their dignity. WOLA will continue working alongside our partners to elevate their voices, support their struggles, and build a more just and equal future for all.
With gratitude, |
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| Carolina Jiménez Sandoval President |
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🚨 We launched a new report on the shrinking of civic space in the Americas, examining how governments are increasingly codifying legal measures to restrict civil society. The report features case studies from five countries and draws connections to similar trends in the United States. Download the full report as a pdf here.
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🇨🇴 Following a wave of violence in Colombia, we released our latest Urgent Updates, condemning recent massacres, targeted killings, and threats to social leaders. Director for the Andes Gimena Sanchez-Garzoli also published her analysis on the situation in the Latin America Advisor.
- 🎉 WOLA Founder Joe Eldridge visited this week, sharing his insights with staff and our new summer interns.
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For human rights activists across Latin America right now, the stakes are high. Violence around elections is on the rise, as are threats against those who speak in favor of justice and accountability. Your support of WOLA creates space to amplify the voices of those who put their life on the line to champion human rights; from Caracas, to San Salvador, and everywhere in between. |
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"It looks like the Trump administration got a green light to send people to third countries, like Libya and South Sudan," Isacson said, "some of the most dangerous places in the world — without any regard to the individual's safety or their constitutional right to not be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment." Adam Isacson Director for Defense Oversight
– El Paso Times, US Supreme Court backs Trump on migrant deportations to nations like South Sudan
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