Reflecting on the Beijing Platform for Action’s 25 year history and implementation, a multi-generational panel of non binary and LBTQ+ people was conceptualised and convened by Katherine Robinson at NGO CSW 65 to discuss the gaps in addressing the rights of queer, trans and non-binary people.
The session included opening remarks from Kalekye Kyalo, Associate Human Rights Officer at the United Nations Office for Human Rights.
The panelists included Dr. Bev Palesa Ditsie, activist and filmmaker; Prof. Gloria Careaga, Coordinator of Fundacion Arcoiris - Mexico; Kamanda Bosco, Programs Assistant at Transgender Equality Uganda, and Member of the Generation Equality Youth Task Force and Dr. Pip Gardner, Chief Executive of The Kite Trust and Member of the Generation Equality Youth Task Force.
The conversation not only focused on the marginalisation and stigmatisation that the LBTQ+ community continues to face on the basis of gender identity and sexuality, but also tabled demands to address increasing rollbacks and threats over the last few years.
A few weeks later, at the Generation Equality Forum, a panel on Queer Youth Voices was convened by the Beijing +25 Global Youth Task Force supported by ActionAid to spotlight LGBTQI+ youth to share their experiences and articulate the action they want to see from stakeholders in realising Generation Equality.
The panelists included Kamanda Bosco, Programs Assistant at Transgender Equality Uganda, and Member of the Generation Equality Youth Task Force, Luíza Drummond Veado, Program Officer at OutRight International and Action Coalition Leader, Syeda Lameeya Parween, Mental Health Practitioner and Queer Affirmative Counsellor, and was moderated by Shay Patten Walker, Creative, Speaker and Digital Media Student.
Sonaksha conceptualised, documented and illustrated a zine to capture and highlight the demands and conversations that came up during the panels.