Sunday, December 27, 2020 / Labels: #YouAreIncluded, 2021 LGBT events, lgbt news, Malmo, Sweden, WorldPride 2021
WorldPride 2021 Summit in Malmö
December 27, 2020 /LGBT News/ Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Victor Madrigal-Borloz, UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Alice Bah Kuhnke, member of the European Parliament have confirmed their participation in the Refugees, Borders and Immigration Summit taking place next year in Malmö during WorldPride.
With more than 70 countries still criminalizing same-sex relationships many LGBTI+ people are affected by human rights abuse and persecution in their home countries. LGBTI+ migrants, asylum seekers and refugees are often forgotten in the debate on migration and the challenges faced by LGBTI+ people.
During Copenhagen 2021 - WorldPride and EuroGames a whole day is dedicated to these issues during the international Refugees, Borders and Immigration Summit. On August 20 several hundred activists, politicians and representatives of human rights organizations will meet at Malmö Live to discuss the situation and rights of LGBTI+ refugees.
“We at UNHCR welcome the opportunity to bring greater attention to the tragic experiences of LGBTIQ+ people forced to flee their countries simply because of who they are. Copenhagen 2021 will present an important moment for experts, activists and decision makers from around the globe to listen to the experiences of those forced into exile because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and to work with them to alleviate their suffering and find solutions to their plight,” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
The Summit is organized by Malmö Pride and the City of Malmö in collaboration with Rainbow Railroad, ORAM, UNHCR, the Council of Europe, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Event in Skåne. It will be live-streamed to reach the largest possible audience. This approach means organizers can easily adapt if COVID19 restrictions prevent the physical event from taking place.
An important part is to draw attention to refugees’ lived experiences. People who have fled oppression and persecution due to sexual orientation or gender expression will be telling their stories at the Summit.
“I myself am a refugee and today I work to strengthen rights of LGBTI+ people. I hope that the summit will be a platform to make our stories visible. We want to show that we are more than numbers and statistics, that everyone has their own story,” said Karl Yves Vallin, project manager at RFSL Newcomer Malmö.
The Summit is the official closing event of the Human Rights Forum, an important part of the WorldPride program. Co-hosts are Alice Bah Kuhnke, co Vice-President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament and former Swedish Minister of Culture and Democracy, and Ulrika Westerlund who has been working for LGBTI+ rights, equality and human rights for over 20 years.
”LGBTI+ refugees are some of the world's most vulnerable persons. As an elected politician it is my duty to listen to their stories. The Summit is a fantastic opportunity to listen and learn, but also to pave the way to move forward,” Alice Bah Kuhnke said.
Other Summit participants are Flavia Piovesan, IACHR Commissioner and Rapporteur on the Rights of LGBTI Persons and Michael O'Flaherty, Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights.
Saturday, December 12, 2020 / Labels: Leonard-Litz Foundation, lgbt news, LGBTQ foundation, LGBTQ grants
Leonard-Litz Foundation Launches, Seeks Grant Proposals for LGBTQ+ Programs
Easton, Connecticut residents Elliot Leonard and Roger Litz established the Foundation to support a cause they care deeply about—the health and well-being of their fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community. Leonard, a savvy businessman who became a successful entrepreneur after a career in law and real estate development, has long been a volunteer of and donor to LGBTQ+ organizations. He is pleased to be able to dedicate the resources he and Litz have accumulated over the years to give back to the LGBTQ+ community that has given them so much.
‘I am honored and thrilled to be able to do this for our community,” said Leonard. “This is an opportunity to enrich the lives of others, just as our lives has been enriched, and I hope we can make an impact—now and for generations to come.”
Litz, a Ph.D. and former veterinarian who enjoyed success across multiple fields, including as an art gallerist and playwright, is deeply committed to his and Leonard’s new endeavor.
“It’s hard to comprehend the struggles the LGBTQ+ community continues to endure, even today,” said Litz. “With this foundation, we’re looking to help our sisters and brothers who are in need.”
The Leonard-Litz Foundation seeks grant proposals up to $50,000 for programs that address one or more of five focus areas: health and wellness; crisis intervention; racial justice; advocacy and community engagement; and social assistance and programming. Organizations eligible for funding must have confirmed 501(c)(3) nonprofit classification. The Foundation plans to operate two funding cycles per year, and is currently accepting proposals through its website. For more information about the Foundation, including details of the grant proposal guidelines, visit www.leonardlitz.org.
Sunday, April 21, 2019 / Labels: Evolution Under Pressure, gender identity, Hellada Gallery, LGBT art, Morié, René Capone
Lovesick artist crash-lands in Long Beach, bruised but still painting
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Self Esteem Balloons, by René Capone, 2018 |
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René Capone |
René Capone &Hellada Gallery Present:
Saturday, November 3, 2018 / Labels: discrimination, free online course, gender identity, lgbt news, MOOC, transgender
'Understanding Gender Identity: Trans People in the Workplace' - A Free Online Course

- The core contexts of gender identity and trans awareness.
- An exploration of key terms and use of language.
- A basic understanding of legislation around rights and responsibilities surrounding trans identities.
- An introduction into how organisations can become trans-inclusive.
- Describe the core contexts of gender identity and trans awareness
- Explain the key terms and use of language in a trans-positive environment
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the legislation around rights and responsibilities surrounding trans identities
- Discuss how organisations can become trans-inclusive through good practices
Saturday, October 13, 2018 / Labels: dessert, easy recipe, food, gay, LGBT, rainbow gelatin, rainbow jello, rainbow receipe
Rainbow jello recipe
- One small box of jello for each color (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple)
- One large tub of cool whip
- Sprinkles
- Pour jello purple into glasses, reserving about 1/3 of the liquid jello. Put glasses in the refrigerator and chill for 15-30 minutes, or until slightly set. Mix about 1/3 cup of cool whip into the remaining purple jello. Pour the jello/cool whip mix on top of the purple jello in the glasses.
- Repeat process for each color.
- Top with some additional cool whip and sprinkles.
Friday, September 7, 2018 / Labels: feminism, House of women, Kurya tribe, Marie Claire, Nyumba Ntobhu, Tanzania same-sex marriage
Why straight women in Tanzania are marrying one another
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Photo courtesy of Marie Claire magazine |
Wednesday, August 15, 2018 / Labels: guevedoces, lgbt news, machihembras, pseudohermaphrodites, Salinas, Sambian
Salinas, the village where some girls turn into boys at age 12
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Photographs of a psueodhermaphrodite published originally in the American Journal of Medicne (Am. J. Med. 62: 170-191, 1977) |

Monday, October 30, 2017 / Labels: Andrew Solomon, culture, forging meaning, gender identity, inspiration, LGBT, lgbt news, TED talk
TED Talk: Andrew Solomon - How the worst moments in our lives make us who we are
Thursday, August 3, 2017 / Labels: Atria Books, gay book, gay love story, LGBT books, Michael Ausiello, Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies
'Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies' on sale Sept. 12 from Atria Books


Wednesday, August 24, 2016 / Labels: Allies in Action, COC Netherlands, Europe, ILGA, LGBT funding, LGBT grant, lgbt news, LGBTI
‘Allies in Action’ small fund is open for proposals: Promoting LGBTI communities

- establishing cooperation between LGBTI groups and professionals who have advocacy potential
- raising awareness of specific professional groups about LGBTI-specific issues
- expanding the network of support for LGBTI people and LGBTI organisations
- increasing access to professional assistance for LGBTI people in the area
- Initiatives that feed into, reinforce, and/or diversify other ongoing efforts towards better environment for LGBTI persons and protection of their rights (by you or another group);
- Genuine and innovative approach to action that is strongly rooted in a local reality, with its limitations, opportunities, and existing relations;
- Duration of action or initiative of no more than 6 months in total (from receipt of the award to its completion and reporting);
- Willingness to share experience with colleagues and activists across the above-indicated countries and beyond.
- Are led by LGBTI persons and/ or allies of LGBTI (with no limitation in regards presence or absence of official registration of the group);
- Are implemented locally by groups in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Russia, or Ukraine;
- Are focused on a specific, carefully selected audience/ target group outside of LGBTI movement and serve to engage, inspire, mobilise individuals and collectives that are in a position to impact everyday realities of LGBTI persons, advocacy capacity of LGBTI organisations, and/ or proper understanding of issues pertaining SOGISC;
- Demonstrate a clear vision of how this action contributes its bit to a change you want to achieve in your environment;
- Are concrete and scalable (i.e. with balanced, matching goals and actions);
- Are endorsed by LGBTI organisations (if proposed by an informal group of allies or activists).
Saturday, July 30, 2016 / Labels: Gendered Intelligence, lgbt news, LGBT NGO, LGBT UK, press release, transgender summer camp
UK Summer camp for 70 Young Transgender People Seeks Funding




"The best thing about GI camping trips is that everyone gets to relax and be themselves. We create our own community, respect and look after each other without having to worry about what the rest of the world thinks" – Jake, camp worker
“A few years ago one of our young members described the camping trip as 'a little bit of paradise'. This has always stayed me - partly because it's wonderful to know that Gendered Intelligence is providing such valuable experiences, but also because it motivates me and the team who are working hard to make society more trans inclusive. Because at the end of the day, going camping should be fun no doubt, but 'paradise'? It points out to me that everyday life for young trans people is generally difficult. So in the meantime - until we make the world more intelligent about gender - let's go camping” – Jay Stewart, director of Gendered Intelligence
"Perhaps the highlight of the year was the Camping Trip. My son did things that he, and I, did not expect him to do, including swimming - something he used to love but had not felt able to do for some time. He spent quality time with his GI friends and made new friends and it was heart-warming to see them return, the bond between them was touching. My son came home tired, dirty, a little smelly, but most importantly, he came home very happy. “– Parent of a 15 year old trans boy
Thursday, July 21, 2016 / Labels: civil rights, cross-border, exchange program, Ireland, LGBT advocacy, LGBT funding, LGBT grant, lgbt news
Grant available: Advocating for Human and Civil Rights for the LGBT Community

- Examine U.S. and international initiatives to promote and protect the human rights of the LGBT community;
- Discuss social and cultural approaches to gender and sexual orientation identities in a diverse society;
- Examine efforts to protect LGBT youth and explore equal access to educational, economic and healthcare opportunities for citizens with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations;
- Analyze the legislative framework and political perspectives on current and pending efforts to ensure equal human and civil rights in the United States;
- Observe how organizations monitor, influence, and advocate for human and civil rights policy at the local, state, national, and international levels;
- Gain insight into how LGBT rights groups work effectively across regions and across borders.
- The grants for this call for proposals range between $30,000.00 to $60,000.00.
- Grant project should be completed in one year or less.
- The history of the movement
- The contemporary debate on LGBT rights and same sex marriage
- Workplace rights
- The support needs of LGBT youth and families, as well as general social inclusion and diversity in the United States.
- Participants will learn how LGBT advocacy groups counter discrimination and defamation and how they engage religious leaders to create wider social acceptance and understanding.
- Particular emphasis should be placed on challenges regarding access to health care, adoption issues, bullying in schools and workplace diversity.
- Eligibility is open to all U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organizations.
- Individuals are not eligible for an award under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
- Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
- Cost-sharing or matching is not required for this funding opportunity.
- This award does not allow for construction activities or costs.
- U.S. Embassy Dublin grants/cooperative agreements cannot be used to fund religious or partisan political activity; fundraising campaigns; commercial projects; scientific research; projects whose primary aim is the institutional development of the organization, or illegal activities.
- Academics and government officials working in the area of LGBT advocacy may also be considered.
- Participants must be fluent in English.
- Half of the participants will be nominated by the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, while the other half will be nominated by the U.S. Consulate in Belfast.