Palestine Advocates ACT UP and Other LGBTQ+ Activist Protest at Outright International Gala

Determined to make a change, ACT UP continues to advocate for Palestine. ACT UP, along with other LGBTQ+ organizations, protested outside of Outright’s Gala, calling them out for their lack of response to the genocide in Gaza.

Frustrated LGBTQ+ activists showed up outside the Outright International annual gala in Manhattan, NY, on June 3. This protest aimed to pressure the organization to speak out about Gaza and urge them to sever ties with other organizations or companies that support Israel. Since October 2023, Israel has perpetuated genocide, resulting in the deaths and displacement of 32,000 innocent Palestinian civilians. In response to this, major companies worldwide have already cut ties with Israel.

ACT UP and other LGBTQ+ organizations joined the protest, and about 100 of the 300 people who attended participated in a “die-in” that lasted 241 seconds. The number 241 signifies the total number of days since October 7, 2023.

Outright International, an LGBTQ+ human rights non-government-funded organization, was founded in 1990. It initially focused on spreading awareness about Russian LGBTQ+ human rights, but it has expanded and is now international, covering issues by documenting human rights violations and advocating for equality in places all over the world.

And according to Outright, they have connections within year-round availability to directly petition the members of Member States and the United Nations on behalf of LGBTQ+ people’s human rights.

Protesters have demanded that Outright use its standing connection with the UN to push for a ceasefire in Palestine, more humanitarian relief, and funding for LGBTQ+ organizations in the region.

When the protest organizers confronted Outright, they acknowledged their affiliation with the UN and informed the press, “Outright International has chosen to remain silent on the bombardment, displacement, and killing of Palestinian people, despite being an international advocacy organization whose mission calls for them to respond to humanitarian atrocities such as this one,” urging Outright to disassociate themselves from sponsors that have ties to Israel and to disclose such connections.

That same morning of the Gala, Outright released on their website a statement highlighting “Outright’s Approach to Advocacy in Relation to the War in Gaza.” The statement included a list of what they have done since October 2023. In the statement, they made it clear that they will only bring public attention to this topic “when we have something new or unique to add to a discussion, have close civil society partners in or from a country in crisis and they request our support, or when we believe that we can make a tangible difference to people on the ground.” Furthermore, they stated that they have “raised concerns” with the U.S. State Department and engaged in discussions with the UN Security Council members about the Israeli violations against the Palestinian communities.

This is not the first time ACT UP has protested such events. About a month ago, a protest happened at the GLAAD Media Awards, calling the organization out for not calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. They also protested at the Human Rights Campaign annual gala back in February, calling them out for their connection with the weapon manufacturers. ACT UP, along with other LGBTQ+ organizations, are proud advocates who fully support Palestine and have been consistent in raising awareness in the media since October. Back in January, ACT UP said in a press release, “Just as ‘Silence = Death’ applies to our fight to end AIDS, so too does it apply to the complicity of genocide against Palestinians.” Being the first queer legacy group to do so, they released a historic statement demanding a ceasefire and endorsing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions campaign (BDS Movement).

If you’re interested in contributing to the change, along with others in our community and around the world, here are some educational sources about Palestine and websites where you can make donations. Remember, advocating and spreading awareness on social media platforms, supporting local artists that are donating to Gaza and contacting your local representatives to call for an immediate ceasefire can also help.