Two Lunchtime Discussions on LGBT Rights in Africa

The Council on Global Equality sent out a notice on two upcoming lunchtime discussions that may be of interest to you if you are interested in Africa, foreign affairs, or LGBT issues (even better if you are interested in all three).

Tuesday, February 23, Uganda Discussion at Human Rights First

The first lunchtime event, focusing on the “Anti-Homosexuality” Bill in Uganda, will be hosted by Human Rights First on Tuesday, February 23, at 12 PM. The lunchtime discussion will feature a presentation by Julius Kaggwa, who is one of the leaders of the local coalition in Uganda that has been opposing the “Anti-Homosexuality” Bill that is now pending in parliament there. Julius has also testified before the U.S. Congress on the harmful human rights implications of the Bill.

Location:
At the office of Human Rights First
100 Maryland Avenue NEWashington, DC 20002
Conference Room 3 (first floor, United Methodist Building)
Event Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Event Time: 12pm

Mr. Kaggwa is the director of the Support Initiative for people with atypical sex Development (SIPD) in Uganda, which is a member organization of the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law. SIPD promotes human rights for people with atypical sex development and is currently campaigning against the anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda’s parliament. Mr. Kaggwa testified last month to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission about the bill and is currently in Washington, DC to attend the 2010 Human Rights Summit, hosted by Human Rights First and Freedom House.

Lunch will be served

For any questions or to RSVP, contact:
Stephanie DiBello at 202-370-3329 or DiBelloS@humanrightsfirst.org

Friday, February 26, Southern Africa Discussion at Open Society Institute

On Friday, February 26, the Open Society Institute will host a lunchtime roundtable discussion on concerns about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) rights in Southern Africa. Sisonke Msimang, director of the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA), and Vicci Tallis, manager of the OSISA HIV/AIDS Program, will share their perspective on the status of LGBTI rights organizing in the region and some of the key opportunities and challenges facing the local movement. They also will discuss how U.S.-based international partners can be supportive. Michael Heflin, director of the LGBTI Rights Initiative at the Open Society Institute, will moderate.

Location:
OSI-Washington, D.C. (1120 19th Street NW 8th Floor, Washington, DC)
Event Date: February 26, 2010
Event Time:12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Speakers:
Sisonke Msimang, Vicci Tallis, Michael Heflin

Please RSVP for OSI event here here.