Global Activists to Speak Out on International LGBT Rights

Heartland Alliance and Partners Host Forum to Raise Awareness of Global LGBT Issues

What: Global lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender (LGBT) activists from countries where sexual minorities face severe discrimination and danger will speak out at the Forum on Global LGBT Activism, co-hosted by Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights and the Center on Halsted. Activists will speak to Chicago’s LGBT community about their work, their activism, the challenges they face, and how the U.S. LGBT community can support international LGBT human rights efforts.

When: March 17th, 2009 from 7:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.

Where: Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, Chicago, IL

Why: Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is prevalent across the world, with repercussions ranging from loss of employment to public violence to state-sponsored execution. Forum speakers are all visiting the U.S. as participants in a month-long human rights and leadership fellowship sponsored by Heartland Alliance through its Global Equality Network, an initiative aimed at strengthening global grassroots LGBT movements.

Fellows are participating in trainings and learning placements within Heartland Alliance and at partner organizations around Chicago including the Lesbian Community Care Project of Howard Brown, the Chicago House and Social Service Agency, Howard Brown Health Center, AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the Center on Halsted. The fellowship is funded by a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Who: Fellows represent LGBT organizations in the Global Equality Network and include: Georges Azzi (Lebanon), Rosanna Flamer-Caldera (Sri Lanka), Georges Kanuma (Burundi), Olumide Makanjuola (Nigeria), and Hasna Hena (Bangladesh).

About Heartland Alliance:

Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights helps people who are threatened by poverty or danger to improve their lives and realize their human rights. For more than 120 years we have been providing solutions – through services and policy – creating paths from crisis to stability and on to success. Our work in housing, health care, legal protections, and economic security supports more than 200,000 people annually, helping them build a better future.