Out For Equality

When was the last time you truly checked in on your mental well-being?

On World Mental Health Day, let’s remember that caring for the mind is just as vital as caring for the body. Every conversation, every act of kindness, and every moment of understanding can create ripples of healing and hope.

Let’s continue to build spaces where mental health is spoken about openly where support is offered freely, and where every mind feels safe, valued, and heard. - Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

Celebrating Three Years at Out for Equality - https://mailchi.mp/656b6af7f9fa/out-for-equality-celebrates-three-years

"Such good English... Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated." - President Trump

Yes, Mr. Trump. The President of Liberia speaks English.
So do q***r Liberians. And they have a lot to say.

And thanks to Journal RAGE Liberia, the LGBTQ+ community in Liberia is finally being heard – in English, Bassa, Kru, and rainbow realness.

But here's the problem:
Being out in Liberia isn't easy.
In fact, it's risky. It’s brave.
And speaking out takes not just English, but guts – and support.

That's where you come in.

JournalRage is Liberia’s only digital news platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ people – voices that are too often silenced, mocked, or pushed underground. Whether it's exposing abuse, celebrating q***r joy, or demanding change, JournalRage is out here doing the work, loud and proud.

And it’s powered by Out For Equality, because equality doesn’t happen by accident – it takes allies, advocacy, and… a little fundraising.

So if you're tired of outdated takes and presidents surprised by the concept of "African leaders speaking English,"
put your dollars where your values are.

📰 Support fearless journalism.
🏳️‍🌈 Support q***r Liberian voices.
💵 Support JournalRage.

Donate today – because liberation sounds amazing in any accent: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/B24M25MATSUUE

Photos courtesy of the BBC. Watch the exchange here: https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cdxl4gknwgno

Today we honor all those that lost their lives at the Pulse massacre in Orlando. Our fight for equality continues both n the United States and abroad.

Nine years have passed, but today and every day, we remember the 49 angels taken on June 12, 2016.

Colombia is known for its strong framework of protection for LGBTQ+ people. Trans citizens can vote with their lived name. The country has codified same-sex marriage and allows same-sex couples to adopt children. It is also the site of the world’s first LGBTQ+ inclusive peace accord.

Despite these strong legal protections, Colombia typically ranks as one of the most dangerous countries in the Americas for q***r-and-trans people, with violence particularly affecting those living in rural regions.

Read more:

When the Law is Not Enough: The Persecution of LGBTQ+ Colombians - USCRI June is Pride Month in commemoration of the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, an uprising against the state-sponsored persecution of q***r-and-trans people. Today, more than fifty years later, q***r-and-trans people remain persecuted. On paper, Colombia has some of the strongest protections in the...

"NO PRIDE FOR SOME OF US WITHOUT LIBERATION FOR ALL OF US"

The history of Stonewall is LGBTQ+ history. The recent actions of the US administration to remove trans and q***r people from the National Park Service Stonewall National Monument web page are appalling and just the first of several steps they are taking to remove LGBTQ+ people from every day life.

Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Storme and many, many other trans and gender non-conforming persons fought to push back against oppressive systems and that fight began with them at Stonewall. Their sacrifices began what is today's modern LGBTQ+ movement.

We at Out For Equality commit to continuing this fight that our trans and gender non-conforming siblings started. Erasing letters from a web page does not erase us nor our history. We demand that the National Park Service restore the Stonewall page to include transgender and q***r, and we commit to making sure the world knows the true story of Stonewall and the contributions that transgender people made there.

Brian Rusch, CEO, Out For Equality

Image: Micah Bazant

The effects of the new US administration are far reaching and impacting people's lives in ways we cannot even imagine.

One of our partners in Liberia, Journal RAGE Liberia details how the US President's comments on gender are already impacting the fight for equality in Liberia.

Trump’s Inaugural Speech Sparks Transphobic Attacks in Liberia - JournalRAGE Liberia Gboko Stewart & Ibrahim Kaba with journalRAGE Monrovia–When US President Donald Trump remarked during his inaugural address on Monday, January 20, that his government would recognize two genders, male and […]

This Thanksgiving, Grateful for You! - https://mailchi.mp/40e1f25fbe7c/this-thanksgiving-grateful-for-you

FRENCH PARALYMPIAN DIMITRI PAVADE COMES OUT AS GAY

On Instagram this week, Dimitri Pavadé opened up about his sexuality. The bronze medalist shared (via Google Translate)

"Here I am today, ready once again to face, overcome and move forward without taking into account what others may say or think of me.”

He continued, "“Yes, I am SMALL, MIXED-RACE, ONE-LEGGED, and to add another layer, GAY!!!!!! The person I am, and like others, have never had to make a choice, so stop with your pitiful speeches and your judgments without reasoning because you will never change the world.”

The Paralympian left followers, especially his LGBTQIA+ followers with some words of inspiration: "If some people don't accept you for who you are then they don't deserve your LOVE. Life is too short to give importance to these kind of individuals."

Pavadé also mentioned wanting to “be the icon of people with disabilities”, as well as hopes to give “strength and courage” to those who have yet to come out of the closet.

Congrats to Pavadé on his recent Bronze medal at the Tokyo games and thanks to him for living his authenticity out loud and proud!