Dear friends,
In so many places around the world, LGBT people were under attack in 2017.
We saw terrifying mass arrests of LGBT people in places like Chechnya, Azerbaijan, and Egypt. Bigoted, nationalist powers continued to advocate for hate. And in countless places, the struggle for LGBT people to simply show their Pride was met with violence and discrimination.
But through it all, we also witnessed the courageous work of people resisting hate and fighting bigotry.
Looking back on this year, we wanted to recognise and honour our heroes. These are people who went above and beyond to continue to fight for LGBT rights in the face of so many hurdles.
By honouring the amazing work of our LGBT heroes, we hope to inspire others to continue to fight. At times, it can seem like the odds are stacked against us, but these heroes show that love will ultimately overcome hate.
People like Arsham Parsi. Once a refugee from Iran himself, he has dedicated his life and career to helping other LGBT asylum seekers in need. Or activist Isaac Mugisha, who has been helping to rally the Ugandan LGBT community for years around the right to celebrate Pride. And the defiant and brave concert-goers in Egypt who literally risked their lives by waving rainbow flags.
These people are a true inspiration to me and the whole All Out team. They're at the core of every campaign we run. Their work drives us closer to a world where no one has to sacrifice their safety, freedom, or dignity because of who they are or who they love.
Thanks for going All Out,
Matt Beard
