[INSIDER UPDATE] Celebrating Pride: Take action to protect trans rights

Plus: Highlighting an LGBTQI+ champion>> [View in Browser]( Hi {NAME}, Happy Pride! I hope you’re finding ways to celebrate LGBTQI+ rights and communities this month. Whether you identify as LGBTQI+ or are an ally, now’s a great time to [get involved and take action to protect LGBTQI+ rights.]( Sadly, attacks on LGBTQI+ people — particularly on Black and Brown trans women and on trans youth — have been on the rise. Lawmakers across the U.S. are unleashing a record-breaking number of anti-LGBTQI+ bills in state legislatures. These discriminatory attacks are horrific and unacceptable. Our Amnesty community won’t back down in the face of threats like this. We won’t dim our light. So even with a lot of work ahead of us, I know that together we will proudly use our power to take action to protect and celebrate LGBTQI+ rights. I hope you’ll join us. [TAKE ACTION: TRANS RIGHTS = HUMAN RIGHTS]( [Pride flag in background and three poeple in front]( In the first six weeks of 2023, state legislatures introduced more than 300 anti-LGBTQI+ bills. Most of those bills target transgender youth and threaten every part of their lives, including healthcare, their school experience, and extracurricular activities like sports. We must protect trans rights. [ADD YOUR NAME: Tell your Congressional representatives to immediately pass the Transgender Bill of Rights.]( The Transgender Bill of Rights resolution outlines ways to protect the civil rights of trans people — including trans children, and recognize their right to healthcare and ensure equal access to services. [ADD YOUR VOICE TO PROTECT TRANS RIGHTS]( HIGHLIGHT: MEET LGBTQI+ CHAMPION IAN LEKUS [Photo of IAN LEKUS] All around us, incredible people are working to champion LGBTQI+ rights despite constant adversity. One of those people is Ian Lekus, Amnesty’s LGBTQI+ Thematic Specialist. He first started volunteering for Amnesty as a teenager, working on anti-apartheid and Freedom Writers efforts. Now a Ph.D., writer, and advocate, Ian has been a member leader at Amnesty for more than 10 years. Ian focuses on issues facing LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers in the U.S., and has served as an expert witness on asylum and immigration claims. “The refugee & asylum system is a nightmare for all, but LGBTQI+ people are especially vulnerable at every step of the journey in search of safety,” said Ian. “Four years ago, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the asylum hearing of a gay man from Mauritania imprisoned and then brutally, repeatedly tortured by prison guards for the crime of loving another man. I will never forget the relief and joy on his face as the judge granted him asylum — along with the appreciation he had for Amnesty International supporting his case.” The power of Amnesty’s movement is in our members. Thank you, Ian, for your continued hard work championing LGBTQI+ rights! [Are you liking your Amnesty Impact overview? Let us know!]( [Thumbs Up]( [Thumbs Down]( [LGBTQI+ COMMUNITIES UNDER THREAT IN IN UGANDA AND KENYA]( Uganda’s new anti-LGBTQI+ legislation, which criminalizes same-sex relationships, is a grave assault on human rights. The bill, which was signed into law by President Museveni on May 29, imposes a punishment of life imprisonment for same-sex sexual conduct, and tramples self-expression and activism by threatening a 20-year prison sentence for the act of “promoting homosexuality.” [Amnesty International strongly condemns this new law.]( We urge you to help us put pressure on the Ugandan government to protect the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals in the country. [Pride flad] In Kenya, [hundreds of refugees are the target of hate and violence because of who they are and who they love.]( Kakuma camp in northwestern Kenya is home to hundreds of LGBTQI+ people, who have suffered physical and sexual violence and other serious human rights abuses because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. They need to be relocated to a country where loving is not a crime. Countries like the United States can welcome the LGBTQI+ people of Kakuma, offer them protection, education, health, and job opportunities to develop and live a life free of violence. [Call on the global community to provide relocation for LGBTQI+ refugees and to speak out against hate in Kenya.]( [PROTECT LGBTQI+ REFUGEES]( I’m sure some of these stories made you angry — as they should. But I hope you’ll join us in channeling that anger into action. Specifically, [action to support and protect trans youth.]( Even when challenges seem to be around every corner, there are millions of people like you who care — and will take action. [Together, we can get closer to a world where LGBTQI+ rights are protected and queer people are respected and celebrated around the world.]( Thank you for being part of that vision. 🕯️, Billie Hirsch Senior Director of Online Engagement Amnesty International USA P.S. Looking for a consistent way to defend human rights around the world? [Become a monthly supporter today. A generous group of donors are matching new monthly gifts for an entire year — meaning your donation will go 12x as far.]( [If you begin today, a generous group of Amnesty donors will match the first 12 months of your contribution -- doubling your impact all year. Start donating today!]( And if you’re not in a position to start a monthly donation right now, that’s OK! 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