Press release 2010/12/28

Written by Administrator Tuesday, 28 December 2010 14:00

LGBT Centre wins international and national human rights awards

December 28, 2010

The Mongolian LGBT Centre NGO has been named the winner of the prestigious 2011 Felipa de Souza Award, given out each year by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) to an organisation or individual whose work has made a significant contribution toward securing the full enjoyment of the human rights of all people and communities subject to discrimination or abuse on the basis of sexual orientation or expression, gender identity or expression, and/or HIV status, anywhere in the world.

The award commemorates Felipa de Souza, a woman who was convicted and tortured in Brazil by the Portuguese Inquisition in 1591 for having relationships with other women.

With the Felipa Award, IGLHRC seeks to publicly recognise the courage and activism of grassroots groups and individuals working under the most challenging conditions in pursuit of human rights for all people irrespective of sexual orientation or expression, gender identity or expression, and/or HIV status.

LGBT Centre Executive Director Robyn Garner said the award was recognition for the hard work of the NGO’s staff who, under often difficult and dangerous circumstances, are endeavouring to put an end to discrimination against LGBT people in Mongolia.

“2010 has been a landmark year for LGBT human rights in Mongolia,” Ms Garner said. “For the first time history we have had Mongolian LGBT issues addressed in the United Nations, and we have secured the government’s pledge to collaborate on ending the widespread discrimination taking place in all sectors of life against sexuality minorities.”

Two LGBT Centre staff will be flown to New York in March to receive the award, where they will meet with funders and other LGBT organisations.

The LGBT Centre has also been named Human Rights Defenders of the Year by the Democratic Youth Union of the Democratic Party.

“This was a significant breakthrough for LGBT human rights nationally,” Ms Garner said. “It clearly signals that LGBT human rights issues are now on the national human rights agenda, and gives the entire LGBT community of Mongolia hope for a better future.

“We commend the Democratic Youth Union for its progressiveness, vision and courage in giving this award to the LGBT Centre. It is only with such vision that Mongolia will truly become a free country for all.”

For more information, contact Robyn Garner on +976 9980 0339, or LGBT Centre Advocacy Programme Manager Otgonbaatar Tsedendemberel on +976 9585 3419.