An update for Latin America.
The last week I spent in Venezuela, connecting with a multitude of stakeholders. Venezuela is a country in which activism means struggle, working on an agenda that is extremely difficult.
It was humbling to see the work the #LGBTQI+ community is doing, mainly focused on HIV/AIDS prevention, mental health and protection of those most vulnerable community members.
This leads me to our current work, focused on the Global Equality Summit, taking place in Cape Town from the 11th to the 13th of November, in the outlines of the ILGA World convening.
This summit is coorganized by our partners Parliamentarians for Global Action, The Other Foundation and Human Dignity Trust, and will bring together over 45 legislators from the global south with a smaller participation of global north allies. CSO representation is essential and also the participation of other stakeholders like the United Nations and SADC PF. Collaborations are essential as together we stand stronger in this uphill battle.
The summit will discuss a common global south approach in order to strengthen the LGBTQI 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ agenda, in a fight against a growing opposition against the #HumanRights of our community.
The summit will exist out of different distinct events for which we want to welcome those that are working with legislators and government, and we want to welcome you to be part of this event, who we are working with closely.
Unfortunately, we cannot fund more participation of CSOs apart from those that have already been invited, but are looking forward to welcome those that are either already in Cape Town, or those that are able to attend on their own means.
We expect a large participation from a multitude of stakeholders in the fight for this important topic and want to create an opportunity for those that are interested to attend, to actively engage.
Although we are already filling up the spaces quickly, be welcome to ask for more information by emailing to [email protected] including me in cc using [email protected], so we can take your interest into account and welcome you to different spaces.
My team, Ricki Kgositau, Erick Iván Ortiz, Sheriff Mothopeng and Andrew Slinn are ready to pull of a fantastic event including different social aspect, and whom I am very proud of working with.
Special thanks to our corporate sponsors, FCDO, Nedbank, ViiV Healthcare, The Global Fund, Grindr, The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the City of Cape Town, because without them, it wouldn’t be possible.
We are excited, even though it is quite the project to pull off.
Greetings from Bogotá, where we are currently working with legislators, CSOs and embassies to introduce laws that protect our community, and give us the rights, that are normal for so many people that don’t encounter #Discrimination and live freely.
Be part of the change, and join us.
#ForEquality #YouAreIncluded