OutRight Action International
Founded in 1990 and with consultative status at the United Nations, OutRight Action International is a leading international human rights organization dedicated to improving the lives of people who experience discrimination or abuse on the basis of their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. OutRight works at global, regional, and national levels to strengthen the capacity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) human rights movement worldwide to document human rights violations against LGBTIQ people and advocate to protect their human rights.
OutRight was founded by a woman and is a proudly feminist organization, committed to the advancement of gender equality and LGBTIQ human rights around the world. “Sandra” is a social justice advocate from a country in East Africa. She is an OutRight Advocacy Fellow. OutRight’s Advocacy Fellowship is a 12-month program that supports LGBTIQ human rights defenders from around the world to harness the New York-based UN system to add value to their existing work and to collaborate with peers on strategies for combating religiously based LGBTIQ-phobia. Speaking at the United Nations on behalf of the LBTI Caucus in 2021, Sandra had the opportunity to address a question to the United Nations’ Secretary General during the annual Townhall with Civil Society. She asked what actions have been taken by the United Nations (UN) for a people-centered recovery from COVID-19, specifically to ensure health care access and equity issues facing LGBTIQ seniors. The Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, stated in response that the UN has a commitment to address the issues LGBTIQ persons face, that discrimination is unacceptable, and that no one will be left behind. Evoking powerful words from people in powerful positions matters. Having a seat at the power table matters. OutRight helps ensure that LGBTIQ people - and queer and trans women like Sandra - have a seat at the table.
Financials
Programs
Advocacy
For LGBTIQ people in the 67 countries where same-sex relations are criminalized or the eight countries where homosexuality is punishable by death, international pressure is essential to curb human rights violations and ensure they have somewhere to go for redress. OutRight advocates at the international, regional and national levels, with partners, to advance human rights for LGBTIQ people. In this photo, OutRight is at the United Nations raising awareness of issues impacting LGBTIQ people across the globe. OutRight is the only U.S. based LGBTIQ organization holding consultative status within the United Nations Economic and Social Council, which gives us a permanent presence at the UN to serve as a watchdog on the UN's 193 Member States.
Research
OutRight develops a global evidence base to push for change, through the collection and dissemination of data. OutRight’s research drives our data-driven strategic decisions and priorities, and strongly informs our two other program areas: movement resourcing and advocacy. Our pioneering global reports cover topics like the impact of COVID-19 on LGBTIQ people, the right of LGBTIQ organizations to register, prides as a symbol of freedom of association and expression, fighting harmful SOGIE change practices, and many, many other issue areas, all accessible on our website.
Movement Resourcing
The presence of LGBTIQ organizations and activists is the single greatest factor that produces cultural, social, and legal change for LGBTIQ people. As such, OutRight resources the movement through training, technical assistance, and grant-making. Across the world, we work with grassroots partners to identify opportunities and implement initiatives that seek to protect LGBTIQ people from violence and discrimination.
Volunteering + Events
Engaging & Volunteering With OutRight
Future-focused companies know that the way forward in business is through shared-valued creation and a strong commitment to solve for social good for the benefit of all of their stakeholders, from employees and customers to communities and shareholders. If you are one of these companies, OutRight wants to work with you. Our custom collaborations are created with partners from beginning to end, delivering an authentic value proposition consisting of advisory services, access to data & research, education & training opportunities, employee engagement & volunteering, brand visibility through community immersion, and partnership communication. With regard to volunteering, OutRight works with our corporate partners to customize virtual and in-person programs for a strong skills-based individual and team volunteer experience.
OutRight Events
Through campaigns and event activations, amplify your corporate values and meaningfully connect your employees and consumers to a cause and community they care about.
On June 6, 2022 in New York City, OutRight will hold Celebration of Courage, our annual Gala. We invite you to join us!