First keynote speakers announced for ILGA World Conference 2024

Mpho Tutu van Furth, Graeme Reid, and Symmy Larrat have been confirmed for the 31st Conference 

BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGES PROVIDED BY ILGA

ILGA have announced the first keynote speakers who will be attending their 31st ILGA World Conference which will be taking place in Cape Town, South Africa from 11 to 15 November 2024. 

Reverend and activist Mpho Tutu van Furth, the United Nations Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Graeme Reid, and the National Secretary for LGBTQIA Rights of Brazil Symmy Larrat will all be speaking at this highly anticipated event which will be hosted by local human rights organisations Iranti and Gender DynamiX.

This year’s ILGA World Conference 2024 will be particularly significant as it will be held in Africa for the first time in 25 years. Bringing together hundreds of LGBTQIA human rights activists and organisations from over 100 countries, the conference will create a space to discuss global solidarity to the ongoing anti-rights pushback.

ILGA World co-Secretaries General Luz Elena Aranda and Tuisina Ymania Brown said: “We are thrilled that our membership has chosen to bring our conference back to Africa. LGBTI activists across Africa and the world are facing an unprecedented backlash, driven by both global trends and region-specific challenges.” 

“Our conference will serve as a crucial moment for LGBTI human rights defenders worldwide to unite and forge strong, meaningful solidarities—not only within the LGBTI community, but also alongside feminist, sexual and reproductive health, climate justice, and other critical movements. Together, we will work toward a more equitable and just future.”

“We are excited to host our global movement as it returns to Africa after such a long time,” said Liberty Matthyse and Lentsu Nchabeleng, Executive Directors of Gender DynamiX and Iranti respectively. “At a time when we see dangerous anti-rights discourse and narratives diluting into our regions from the Global North, hosting our global family will be a wonderful statement of unity and solidarity across borders.”

Other confirmed speakers include International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Director-General Dr Alvaro Bermejo, UK Black Pride CEO Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, CREA Executive Director Geeta Misra, and Afghan LGBT Organization (ALO) Director Artemis Akbary. 

Over the five days of the conference programme, participants will be able to engage in meaningful and powerful conversations about the pressing issues affecting LGBTQIA people globally. 

Registration remains open until 11 October 2024. More information is available at worldconference.ilga.org

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