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LGBTI Rights: Global Activism, U.S. Diplomacy

Gender Minorities Seek Constitutional Protections

Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2015 / Time: 6:00am - 8:00am 

Center: Applied Conflict Transformation Center

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As lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) communities campaign for constitutional rights across the world, USIP gathered the United States’ new special envoy on the issue, along with international LGBTI activists, to discuss the movement and its future. Ambassador Randy Berry joined campaigners from South Africa, Ireland, Fiji, and Grenada in the May 26th forum, which was co-hosted by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).

LGBTI
Pictured from left to right, Jason Gluck, Michael Dafel, Moninne Griffith, Michelle Reddy, Richie Maitland

While only a few countries now protect LGBTI rights in their constitutions, the inclusion of those protections increasingly has become an indicator of the strength and consolidation of democracy.  And constitution-building processes in various countries have opened a social and political space of tolerance and equality within which gender minorities are continuing to claim their rights.

In this forum, our panel of activists shared their experiences—strategies, challenges, successes, and failures—that may provide insights and lessons on ways for LGBTI communities to achieve constitutional recognition and rights that until recently seemed improbable..

Join the conversation on Twitter with #LGBTDiplomacy.

Agenda

Welcoming Remarks: Nancy Lindborg, President, U.S. Institute of Peace

Key Note Address: Randy Berry, Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LBGT Persons, U.S. Department of State

Panelists

  • Sumit Bisarya
    Constitution Building Programme
    International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance
  • Michael Dafel
    Doctoral Candidate, University of Cambridge
  • Eric Gitari
    Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission in Kenya
  • Monine Griffith
    Director, Marriage Equality, Ireland
  • Richie Maitland
    Co-founding Director, Groundation Grenada
  • Michelle Reddy
    Programme Director, Fiji Women’s Rights Movement
  • Jason Gluck, Moderator
    Senior Program Officer, Rule of Law, U.S. Institute of Peace

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