‘We fall, we rebuild, we dance again’: repression and resilience in queer Beirut

Ghiwa Abi HaidarRights

If you want to understand the progress of LGBTQIA+ liberation in Lebanon’s capital, our nightlife is a great place to start, says Ghiwa Abi Haidar. In a blog for Pride month, she looks back at a scene that has suffered bouts of brutal violence and censorship but where queer people are today once again finding rare freedom and radical joy on the dancefloor.

Queer liberation is African liberation – and solidarity is like sunshine: everybody deserves some

Dumiso GatshaGender, Influencing, Rights

In a blog for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, activist Dumiso Gatsha considers what this year’s theme of “the power of communities” means when it comes to supporting grassroots organisations working towards liberation for LGBTQIA+ communities, in a world that is increasingly hostile to their rights.

‘I would expect more trust’: five things holding back LGBTQIA+ led organisations in the Ukraine response

Charlotte GreenerHumanitarian, Research, Rights

LGBTQIA+ organisations responding to the crisis in Ukraine need  better support from international donors, including more flexible funding and support to boost the visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community. Charlotte Greener shares insights from conversations with two LGBTQIA+ groups working in Ukraine and neighbouring Poland.

Across Asia, local LGBTQIA+ activists are finding their Voice

Kayla LapizInfluencing, Power Shifts, Rights

Over the past eight years, the Voice programme has been supporting the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. In a blog for Pride month, Kayla Lapiz and Ishita Dutta look back on some inspiring examples of local action as the programme comes to an end.

Why are LGBTQIA+ people in the Philippines still waiting for an anti-discrimination law?

Neal Igan RoxasInequality, Influencing, Rights

Neal Igan Roxas looks back on his childhood, and at the daily challenge for LGBTQIA+ people of “braving spaces” in the face of hostility, to explain why it is so vital the landmark SOGIE equality bill passes into law, after a two-decade battle for anti-discrimination protection.

El intento de Guatemala de prohibir los derechos de las personas LGBTQIA+ refleja lo lejos que estamos de lograr la igualdad

Natalia MarsicovetereInequality, Influencing, Rights

En marzo, el país estuvo a punto de aprobar una ley para prohibir el matrimonio igualitario y la educación sexual integral-LGBTQIA+ en las escuelas, así como para endurecer las penas por el aborto. En nuestra última entrada del blog sobre el mes del orgullo, Natalia Marsicovetere destaca la urgente necesidad de fortalecer la coalición por la justicia que logró poner freno a esta ley (English version below)

Guatemala’s attempted ban on LGBTQIA+ rights shows just how far we are from equality

Natalia MarsicovetereInequality, Influencing, Rights

In March, the country very nearly passed legislation to ban same-sex marriage and LGBTQIA+-inclusive sex education in schools – as well as increasing criminal penalties for abortion. In our latest blog for Pride month, Natalia Marsicovetere highlights the urgent need to build on the coalition for justice that stopped it