(Los Angeles/Geneva – 20 May 2020) – The next ILGA World Conference, one of the biggest events in the global LGBTI rights movement’s calendar, will be postponed due to the current COVID-19 situation.
Organised by ILGA World – the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association – and to be hosted by the It Gets Better Project, the conference was originally planned for November 2021 in Los Angeles, CA, United States. After careful consideration, the event has been postponed to Spring 2022 in California.
“This was a difficult decision for our Board, but it was made necessary because of the unprecedented situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,” explained Luz Elena Aranda and Tuisina Ymania Brown, Co-Secretaries General of ILGA World. “This is not the right time to be asking people to focus on a 2021 conference with so much uncertainty. ILGA World is a global family and our family needs each other's support right now.”
Many in our LGBTI communities are amongst the most vulnerable during this pandemic. “Over the past two months, we have heard from LGBTI organisations facing sudden and dramatic challenges”, Aranda and Brown continue. “Each of our member organisations is primarily focused on adjusting their response strategies to what people need right now – survival!
LGBTI civil society is recalibrating its energies and resources to deal with the multiple layers of uncertainty and complexity that come with COVID-19. The need to coexist with this new reality will continue for months and years to come.”
Organising a truly global and inclusive conference takes time, commitment and resources, and the whole ILGA World staff and Board are continuing working towards a thoughtful, inclusive and world-changing 31st ILGA World Conference.
“Although we are disappointed about this delay, both ILGA World and the It Gets Better Project are committed to creating a safe and enjoyable experience for all,” said Brian Wenke, Executive Director of the It Gets Better Project. “Los Angeles will be ready to welcome you in 2022!”
ILGA World is grateful to our conference hosts It Gets Better for their ongoing support, as the two organisations continue to work together to find viable solutions to make this event happen.
The logo and the theme of the conference will be announced in the second half of this year, and a call for scholarship applications and session proposals will be opened in its last quarter. The official dates will be communicated through the ILGA World website and social media pages.
About ILGA World
ILGA World – the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association - is a worldwide federation of more than 1,600 organisations from over 150 countries and territories campaigning for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex human rights. Established in 1978, ILGA World has ECOSOC consultative status at the United Nations. Governed by an elected Board of 19 activists representing our global family, ILGA World is queer democracy in action! https://ilga.org
About It Gets Better Project
The It Gets Better Project is a non-profit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe. https://itgetsbetter.org/
Press contacts
Daniele Paletta, Communications Coordinator, ILGA World; [email protected]