Dear Friends,

It has been less than 24 hours since Russia invaded Ukraine. We are of course concerned about the impact of war on all people in Ukraine and know in times of crisis, LGBTIQ people, who are often marginalized, face higher risks. Already, groups have reached out to us as they are setting up shelter for LGBTIQ people who have to flee for safer areas. If you want to help and stand in solidarity with Ukrainians, you can donate to OutRight’s fundraiser. We will channel funds to LGBTIQ groups in Ukraine, and for shelter and support in nearby countries.

In the meantime, OutRight’s important work is continuing with partners around the globe. From continuing to document and raise awareness about atrocious human rights abuses against LGBTIQ people in Afghanistan and finalizing a report documenting the lived experiences of LBTQ women in Iraq, to selecting Fellows for OutRight’s 2022 United Nations Religion Fellowship and issuing new grants from the COVID-19 Global LGBTIQ Emergency Fund, these are but a few examples of the work OutRight and our partners are carrying out to accelerate change for LGBTIQ people worldwide.

Another example of our important work is combating harmful sexual orientation and gender identity/expression (SOGIE) change practices, sometimes referred to as “conversion therapy”. As noted in OutRight’s groundbreaking report, “Harmful Treatment: The Global Reach of So-Called Conversion Therapy,” SOGIE change practices are the discredited and discriminatory actions that target LGBTQ people and seek to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. These practices are not therapy, and have been rejected by every reputable medical and health organization. Among the many harms caused by SOGIE change practices are depression, anxiety, substance use, homelessness and even suicide.

As reported by George B., a gender non-conforming Kenyan living in South Africa and survivor of SOGIE change practices, “’Conversion therapy’ is not a single event — it is a process of continued degradation and assault on the core of who you are. There are often repeated violations in the form of psychological and sometimes physical abuse...It is not one instance — it is a continued sense of rejection. The pressure is enormous.” Accounts like George’s remind us daily that change must be accelerated when it comes to ending this harmful, inhumane practice.

That is why OutRight and our partners are working to eliminate it. For example, at an event just this week, “Converting Mindset, Not Our Identities: Eradicating SOGIE Change Efforts in Africa,” OutRight and our partners - The Initiative for Equal Rights in Nigeria (TIERS), the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALK), and Access Chapter 2 in South Africa (AC2) - discussed the nature, extent, and impact of SOGIE change efforts in these three countries. OutRight and our partners will soon launch a set of reports - the first in a series of advocacy resources for the region and beyond - to support national and global campaigns to end conversion practices as a form of torture and discrimination. It is OutRight’s and our partners hope that, with these new resources in hand, activists and allies everywhere can coalesce to accelerate an elimination of SOGIE change practices.

In solidarity,

Maria Sjödin
Acting Executive Director (they/them/she/her)