Oxfam presents “Break Another Silence” – Voices and Victories from LGBTI2S Movements Worldwide

June 23, 2014
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On June 24th in Toronto’s George Ignatieff Theater, leaders from four continents will join Oxfam for a powerful speakers panel, profiling victories in the fight for LGBTI and Two-Spirit (2S) rights worldwide.
 
The event, hosted by Oxfam Canada, will feature LGBTI2S rights activists from Canada and around the world, including:

  • Mariela Castro Espín and Manuel Vásquez Seijido, from the Cuban National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX) – a teaching, advocacy, and research institute focused on sexual diversity, with a long history of advancing LGBTI rights, sex workers’ rights, and more in Cuba;
     
  • Mojalife Mokoele, from the Sexual Rights Centre (SRC) in Zimbabwe, the first openly gay individual to be interviewed in Zimbabwean media. Mojalifa is a very passionate advocate for LGBTI rights, women’s rights, and sex workers’ rights;
     
  • Nguyen Hai Yen of the Centre for Research Innovation Communication and Services on Sexuality (ICS) in Vietnam. Yen administered, founded, and participated in the first online forum and programming for LGBTI rights within Vietnam. She is a pioneer in organizing Pride events in Vietnam;
     
  • Warren Greene of OAHAS. A Regional Outreach and Support Service Worker with OAHAS in the field of HIV/AIDS, diversity and gender identity, and Aboriginal culture, Mr. Greene identifies as a Two-Spirit Gay Man with roots tied to his First Nation community – Iskatewizaagegan (Shoal Lake) – which lies on the border of Ontario and Manitoba.

The event is open to the public and the media, and admission is free. Doors open at 6:00 pm.   
 
Oxfam's work to end global poverty is driven by a fundamental belief in human rights, including the right to an identity. We support women and men who are marginalized because of their gender, religion, ethnicity, cultural or sexual identity to live free from discrimination and enjoy equal rights and status with others.
 
During WorldPride events in Toronto, Oxfam is proud to showcase their partners’ innovative and courageous work in advancing LGBTI2S rights here at home and worldwide.

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For more information and to arrange interviews with panelists, contact:

Melanie Gallant
Media Relations

 

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