Reminder | Candidate Call For 2023 Board of Director Officer Nominations

Don’t forget! Deadline to declare your intent to run for a seat on the Board of Directors for InterPride CLOSES on 26 September. There will be NO nominations accepted after that date, nor during the conference. For more information: CLICK HERE.

PRESS RELEASE: INTERPRIDE GRANTED CONSULTATIVE STATUS AT THE UNITED NATIONS

(SEPTEMBER 13, 2023) — On 7 June 2023, InterPride was granted consultative status at the United Nations through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). CLICK HERE to read more.

Recent Ballot Results

A vote by members took place on July 11, 2023, with three ballot issues. Two were bylaw amendments which were approved, and the third was approval of the 2021 Plenary minutes — all passed by more than a majority.

The Bylaws workgroup recommended that the Board approve the following changes and then sent them to the membership for acceptance.

Here is a summary of the membership votes that took place and the total percentages:

ARTICLE 5 – SECTION 2: COMPOSITION

Click here to view the amended bylaw accepted by the Membership in English.

The vote result was 84% in favor, 9% against, and 7% abstentions.

ARTICLE 5 – SECTION 4: RESPONSIBILITIES OF PRIDE PLATFORM BOARD MEMBERS.

Click here to view the amended bylaw accepted by the Membership in English.

The vote was 93% in favor, 6% against, and 1% abstention.

The 2021 Plenary Minutes were presented to the Membership for a vote and they were approved.

Click here to view the minutes in English

The vote was 80% in favor, 20% against, and 0% abstentions.

ARTICLE 7 – SECTION 3: Regional Representation of the Bylaws

This section deals with the structure of the Global Advisory Council and regional representation. The Bylaws workgroup proposed an amendment, as per membership request to review it at the October 2022 General Meeting and World Conference plenary. The Board did not accept the amendment, and referred it back to the Bylaws workgroup for further work and review.

Upcoming Webinar Sessions

In preparation for the InterPride Annual General Meeting and World Conference in San Diego, CA, we are offering three webinar sessions to meet with members beforehand to answer questions and provide important updates.

These webinar sessions will allow us to step into the GM&WC, focus on networking, share best practices, and spearhead conversations.

InterPride proudly serves our members and looks forward to a robust and productive conference!

Registration Links:

CLICK HERE to register for the 23 September 2023 | 2:00 PM GMT session.

CLICK HERE to register for the 24 September 2023 | 6:00 PM GMT session.

CLICK HERE to register for the 1 October 2023 | 12:00 AM GMT session.

(SEPTEMBER 13, 2023) — On 7 June 2023, InterPride was granted consultative status at the United Nations through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). After a process that lasted more than five years, this is a vital and extraordinary recognition of the importance of Prides worldwide.

“InterPride now further elevates the realities of LGBTQI+ Pride Organizers in UN institutions. The process has been long and challenging. We are thankful for the individuals within InterPride who have generously supported this work that makes us one of the few LGBTQI+ organizations with the access to speak and participate at the UN,” said Hadi Damien and Natalie Thompson, Co-Presidents of InterPride.

ECOSOC Consultative Status means InterPride can now access United Nations spaces, engage with UN mechanisms to advocate for LGBTQI+ peoples’ rights, and deliver written statements and oral presentations. The status is essential to bring the voices of Pride organizers into the United Nations.

“Each day at InterPride, we stand up for LGBTQI+ people and their right to live and safely gather in spaces free from violence and discrimination. Now, we can support our members in their fight to gather, change hearts and minds, and build a world where LGBTQI+ people are free and equal through the hard-fought-for ability to uplift voices at the United Nations. I am excited for what we can do together,” highlighted Richard Brethour-Bell, InterPride’s Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility.

InterPride has led global, regional, and national human rights actions through its Human Rights committee for over 15 years. To leverage the access opportunities for Pride Organizers to advocate at the United Nations, InterPride is establishing a Pride Advocacy Program. The program will help raise the voice of Pride organizers at International human rights mechanisms and partner with organizations advocating for the rights of LGBTQI+ people in various spaces, including the United Nations Human Rights Council and General Assembly.

“In the face of growing and coordinated anti-rights actions against LGBTI people in countries worldwide, it is vital that InterPride brings the voices of Pride organizers and members organizations into United Nations spaces. I am honored to have led the process for InterPride to gain consultative status that allows our movements to document human rights violations against LGBTI people and advocate for the safety and protection of LGBTQI+ people when they gather in protest and celebration,” shared J. Andrew Baker, UN Advocacy Coordinator at InterPride.

Around the globe, Pride organizers face violence, discrimination, and violations of LGBTQI+ human, economic, cultural, and social rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Pride organizers uphold the Universal Declaration for LGBTQI+ people through marches, peaceful protests, acts of visibility, and other programming. These frontline activists advocate and fight daily for their governments to uphold the right of freedom of peaceful assembly and association for LGBTQI+ people.

In the coming year, InterPride plans to conduct a series of stakeholder dialogues with member organizations and Pride organizers to determine the priority goals of the advocacy program. In addition, InterPride will formalize partnerships with other LGBTQI+-led and LGBTI-supportive organizations delivering actions within the mechanisms of the United Nations. By the end of 2024, InterPride plans to attend UN meetings and strengthen relationships with member states regularly. The organization will deliver member-informed statements at the UN Human Rights Council that bring awareness to the experiences of LGBTQI+ people globally in their fight to realize the right of freedom of peaceful assembly and the right to life, liberty, and security.

The InterPride team who has worked on the ECOSOC application features the here-above quoted individuals, as well as other InterPride’s Officers, namely: former Board Member & initiator of the ECOSOC application procedure Frank van Dalen; former Co-Presidents Sue Doster, Brett Hayhoe, Julian Sanjivan, and Linda DeMarco; former Board Member Michelle Irimia; and incumbent Treasurer Dave Wait.

ABOUT INTERPRIDE

InterPride brings together Pride organizations from around the world, as well as regional, national, and local Pride networks, therefore contributing to the global coordination of Pride efforts. InterPride has over 375 member organizations in over 70 countries. Its work impacts millions worldwide through our members. InterPride is also the owner and licensor of the WorldPride™ brand, and InterPod, The Global Voices of Pride Podcast, the official podcast powered by InterPride.

Facebook (InterPride) | Facebook (WorldPride) | Instagram | Threads | TikTok | X (formerly known as Twitter) | LinkedIn | YouTube | Twitch | Eventbrite | Mastodon | Universeodon

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MEDIA CONTACTS

For media inquiries, please email [email protected].

The initial meeting of the IPGTTF was held on Sunday, August 20th, and was a great success. Participants were from the USA, Canada, Kenya, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Many others expressed their regrets and plan to attend our next meeting. We discussed why the task force is necessary, its mission/vision, goals, structure, and suggested means of communication.

The mission and vision of the IPGTTF are to provide education, all available support, and advocacy on transgender issues that improve the quality of life and well-being of the global transgender community and to celebrate those lives. A WhatsApp group was created in addition to email communications that will be used due to unstable internet connections in some regions of the world.

We brainstormed on different topics and ways to assist each other and achieve the goals of the IPGTTF. Attendees agreed that the IPGTTF should meet monthly to start getting it up and running and reassess as we move forward.

Meeting days and times are going to be staggered so all time zones can be taken into consideration. Please join us at our next meeting on Saturday, September 16th, at 12 pm CST, when IPGTTF roles will be discussed. If you want to join the IPGTTF, click this link.

I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.

Jordan Braxton (she/her), Global Trans Task Force Coordinator

Richard is taking the lead to hear from members on improving and making InterPride a stronger organization.

Step Up, Lean In, Create Change | Dar el paso, apoyarse, crear el cambio | S’engager, s’appuyer, créer le changement | Avançar, apoiar-se, criar mudanças

The months of June and July have been bubbling with Pride activity, against the backdrop of global threats to the LGBTQ+ community. From the newly-signed Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act, to the 145 U.S. anti-LGBT acts, and beyond, highlight the continued need for pride celebrations as visibility and connection remain vitally important for our community.

InterPride, in collaboration with the Human Rights & Diversity Committee, is pleased to announce the formation of the InterPride Global Trans Task Force (IGTTF). The mission and vision of the Global Trans Task Force is to provide education and advocacy on transgender issues that improve the quality of life for the global transgender community and to celebrate those lives. Three pillars define the task force; Educate, Advocate, and Celebrate.