OutRight International
A United States-based international human-rights NGO working to advance the rights and safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
OutRight International is a United States-based nongovernmental organization focused on human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people. The organization documents abuses and discrimination connected to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics, while supporting activists, advocates, community groups, journalists, nongovernmental organizations and other allies working at local, national, regional and international levels. The organization was founded by Julie Dorf in 1990 and incorporated as a nonprofit on November 7 of that year under the name International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, commonly abbreviated as IGLHRC. Its early work included documenting abuses against LGBT people in Russia, but its geographic scope subsequently expanded across the Americas, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. It now organizes its work through regional programs covering Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean, alongside global programs dealing with United Nations advocacy, research, and the safety and security of LGBTIQ activists. A major institutional turning point came in July 2010, when the United Nations Economic and Social Council granted IGLHRC consultative status. This status enables the organization to participate in relevant UN meetings, submit statements and engage with UN agencies and other international stakeholders. OutRight uses that position to bring activists and organizations to UN processes, conduct advocacy before bodies including the General Assembly and the Commission on the Status of Women, and engage with UN member-state missions, special mechanisms, agencies and the UN Secretariat. It is associated with the United Nations LGBTI Core Group and organizes activities such as Advocacy Week and the UN Religious Fellowship. In 2015, marking the organization’s twenty-fifth anniversary, IGLHRC adopted the name OutRight Action International. The change was intended to present a more inclusive identity as the organization’s work addressed a broader range of LGBTIQ communities and issues. In the same year, executive director Jessica Stern delivered what the organization described as the first UN Security Council briefing focused on LGBTI human-rights violations. OutRight also began, with CUNY Law School, a Human Rights Day conference known as OutSummit. Research is a central part of OutRight’s advocacy model. Its program combines quantitative and qualitative information from surveys, case studies and community partnerships to examine law, public policy, religion, culture, social norms and government conduct. Topics addressed in the organization’s published work have included violence against lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in Asia, the legal registration of LGBTIQ organizations, activism and resilience in the Middle East and North Africa, and the global reach of so-called conversion therapy. The organization also maintains a digital archive of human-rights documentation and educational resources. OutRight’s regional work combines research, advocacy, organizational support and capacity building. In Asia, projects have included domestic-violence protections for LGBT people in the Philippines and Sri Lanka. In the Caribbean, the organization has supported legal registration, institution building and responses to gender-based violence. In the Middle East and North Africa, it has worked with local groups and allies, including in Iran, Iraq and Turkey. In 2022, the organization shortened its name to OutRight International and described its mission through four brand pillars: Amplify, Advocate, Support and Celebrate. It remains an active international human-rights organization headquartered in New York City, with additional offices or operations referenced in the United States, Spain and Manila.
History
OutRight International began in 1990 as the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, or IGLHRC. Julie Dorf founded the organization, which was incorporated as a nonprofit on November 7, 1990. Its initial attention included abuses against LGBT people in Russia, but the organization developed into a global human-rights NGO working across multiple regions and through international institutions. The organization’s method has combined documentation, advocacy, research and support for civil-society organizations. Rather than operating as a commercial service provider, it works with local activists, media, NGOs and allies to record discrimination and violence connected to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics. Its geographic programs eventually encompassed Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The organization also developed work on activist safety, security and organizational resilience. A pivotal institutional development occurred on July 19, 2010, when ECOSOC granted IGLHRC consultative status. This gave the organization a formal channel into United Nations processes, allowing it to attend relevant meetings, contribute statements and collaborate with UN agencies. It subsequently used this role to convene activists visiting New York, engage governments and UN officials, and advocate before the General Assembly, the Commission on the Status of Women and the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Its UN work also includes participation in the United Nations LGBTI Core Group, Advocacy Week and the UN Religious Fellowship. In 2010, IGLHRC contributed to an activist guide related to the Yogyakarta Principles. In 2015, the organization marked its twenty-fifth anniversary by changing its name to OutRight Action International. The rebrand reflected an effort to present a more inclusive identity as the organization’s mandate broadened. That year, executive director Jessica Stern delivered a Security Council briefing on LGBTI human-rights violations, and OutRight partnered with CUNY Law School to establish OutSummit, a Human Rights Day conference. The organization continued to participate in international policy debates. In 2016 it took part in a high-level event connected with the UN LGBTI Core Group. In 2017 it challenged the inclusion of the Center for Family and Human Rights in the United States delegation to the Commission on the Status of Women. In 2018, an OutRight Caribbean program officer delivered a stakeholder intervention concerning Jamaica’s voluntary national reviews. In 2019, OutRight and UN Women organized a panel on gender diversity beyond binary categories. Research became an important mechanism for turning community experience into international advocacy. A 2014 Asian report examined violence affecting lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in five countries. A 2018 study on the right of LGBTIQ organizations to register compared conditions across 194 countries and highlighted the relationship between legal recognition, access to resources and organizational safety. Another 2018 report examined activism and resilience in the Middle East and North Africa, including Iran, Iraq and Turkey. In 2019, OutRight conducted a global survey on so-called conversion therapy, drawing on interviews with survivors and experts to investigate its practices, rationales and consequences. OutRight also supports practical movement infrastructure. Its Asian work has included projects concerning domestic-violence protections in the Philippines and Sri Lanka. In the Caribbean, it has assisted organizations with legal registration, institution building and responses to gender-based violence. The organization maintains a digital archive containing human-rights documentation and educational resources. It has offices or operational presence referenced in New York City, on the United States West Coast, in Spain and in Manila. In 2022, the organization removed Action from its public name and became OutRight International. It described its continuing mission through the pillars Amplify, Advocate, Support and Celebrate. The organization also awards the Felipa de Souza Award, presented annually since 1994 to honor a human-rights activist or organization, and occasionally presents an Outspoken Award to a prominent ally. OutRight International remains an active NGO focused on global LGBTIQ human rights and international advocacy.
- 2022
Organization becomes OutRight International
[1]The organization dropped Action from its name and framed its mission around Amplify, Advocate, Support and Celebrate.
- 2015
Name changed to OutRight Action International
[1]The organization adopted a new name on its twenty-fifth anniversary and broadened its public identity.
- 2015
First OutSummit conference established
[1]OutRight and CUNY Law School launched a Human Rights Day conference bringing together LGBTIQ and human-rights advocates.
- 2010
ECOSOC consultative status granted
[1]The United Nations Economic and Social Council granted IGLHRC consultative status.
- 1994
Felipa de Souza Award begins
[1]The organization began presenting its annual Felipa de Souza Award to recognize a human-rights activist or organization.
- 1990
Organization founded and incorporated
[1]Julie Dorf founded the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, later known as OutRight International; it was incorporated as a nonprofit on November 7.
Products and positioning
An international LGBTIQ human-rights organization that combines frontline movement support, global research, strategic communications and institutional advocacy, particularly through the United Nations.
Advocacy and community support
Regional human-rights programs
OutRight operates regional programs in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. These programs combine documentation, advocacy, partnerships and organizational support. Examples include work on domestic-violence protections in the Philippines and Sri Lanka, support for legal registration and capacity building in the Caribbean, and partnerships with activists in Iran, Iraq and Turkey.
Research
Global Research Program
The research program gathers quantitative and qualitative evidence through surveys, interviews, case studies and partnerships. Its subjects include conversion practices, organizational registration, violence, religion, culture, policy and social norms. Findings are intended for use by local movements, international advocates, policymakers and communications teams.
International advocacy · 2010
United Nations Program
Using ECOSOC consultative status, OutRight engages UN member states, agencies, special mechanisms and civil-society networks. Its work includes direct advocacy, statements, briefings, convenings and support for activists participating in UN processes, with emphasis on the General Assembly, the Commission on the Status of Women and sustainable-development forums.
Human-rights award · 1994
Felipa de Souza Award
An annual award established in 1994 that honors a human-rights activist or organization for contributions associated with LGBTIQ equality and freedom.
Recognition program
Outspoken Award
An occasional award recognizing a global ally whose public leadership and advocacy have contributed to greater rights and understanding for LGBTI people.
Marketing campaigns
- 2015OutSummit
International
OutRight and CUNY Law School established a one-day Human Rights Day conference connecting LGBTIQ advocates, legal experts and human-rights participants.
Outcome. Created a recurring convening platform associated with OutRight’s advocacy and movement-building work.
- Advocacy Week
United Nations · International
A convening and advocacy initiative that connects LGBTIQ activists and advocates with UN processes and decision-makers in New York.
Outcome. Supports direct civil-society participation in international human-rights advocacy.
- UN Religious Fellowship
United Nations · International
A program linking religious stakeholders and LGBTIQ advocates in discussions connected to human rights and United Nations work.
Outcome. Provides a cross-faith and civil-society channel for dialogue on LGBTIQ equality.
Brand decisions
2022
Adoption of the OutRight International name and four brand pillarsStrategyBackground
The organization sought a concise public identity aligned with its global LGBTIQ human-rights mission.
Action taken
It removed Action from its name and presented its work through the pillars Amplify, Advocate, Support and Celebrate.
Aftermath
The organization continues to operate as OutRight International.
2015
Rebrand as OutRight Action InternationalStrategyBackground
The organization marked its twenty-fifth anniversary while expanding beyond its earlier identity as the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission.
Action taken
It adopted the name OutRight Action International.
Aftermath
The new identity was used for its broader international LGBTIQ human-rights and advocacy work until the organization shortened the name again in 2022.
Sources2 sources
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