"Despite our achievements and contributions to India in various fields, we are being denied the right to sexuality, the most basic and inherent of fundamental rights."

~ Businesswoman Ayesha Kapur, dancer Navtej Singh Johar, journalist Sunil Mehra, restaurateur and TV personality Ritu Dalmia, and historian Aman Nathin in their joint petition against India's Section 377 criminalizing homosexuality.

“We want you here to be a light to the millions of LGBT people in our country, so that wherever they are, they might know that they are not alone that they are quite normal and that they should live their lives unafraid. For that is the kind of country we are trying to build.”

~ Derek Hanekom, South Africa

“It is absolutely sickening and ridiculous that in the 21st century a homosexual act gets a person in Cameroon six months to five years imprisonment.”

Barrister Walter Atoh

“With love for all of those who are positive and are afraid to speak, to all of those who know the horrible taste of rejection, to all of those who at least once have rejected or turned down someone just because of HIV status... and to the gay community, let's not forget that this is still our fight. Yes, the situation is different as it was in the beginning of the epidemic, but that doesn't mean gay positive people don't exist... We are here!”
– Pablo Aguilera, Director of HIV Young Leaders Fund, Mexico

“Their struggle for a more inclusive world where the dignity of trans and gender diverse persons is upheld and their rights respected should inspire all of us. I call on everyone to reciprocate that courage, challenge rigid social constructions of gender, and embrace diversity”

Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity

"I believe that my school isn't special. I believe that there are places like Hillsboro all over the county where young people are hurting, feeling alone, and being discriminated against because of who they are. And I believe it's important, now that I've been put in this position, for me to stay strong for all of those young people and for my community"

~ Trans teen Lila Perry on the controversy stirred in her town around her use of the girl's locker room.

“The world cannot allow itself to be silenced by some members of parliaments who are driven by hatred, torture, discrimination, and persecution of innocent LGBTI people.”

~ Edwin Sesange, African Equality Foundation responding to the Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union

“This bill criminalizes homosexuality. Basically you can’t even come out anymore. You can’t even hold hands. This bill gives the green light to attack us. Violence and discrimination and hate against the LGBT community will increase.” ~ Activist in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

"I felt helpless, I felt hopeless, and I asked myself some really hard questions: am I doing enough work as an advocate? Is the work that I have been doing really making an impact and is it really worth it?"

~ Maureen Luba, African Regional Advocacy Advisor for AVAC speaking at the HIV Research for Prevention 2018 conference

If God wanted just another heterosexual, God could have created one, but instead God created me fabulous. My sexual orientation is something I cannot change.”

~ Johann De Joodt, after his years spent engaged in ‘conversion therapy’ in Australia

From Zimbabwe, journalist Wongai Zhangazha explored the challenges faced by gay sex workers who are doubly discriminated against for their sexuality and their profession, leaving them with very little choice when seeking HIV prevention and other health needs. As Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (Galz) director Chester Samba described:

“At times nurses call each other and say, come and look. We have an LGBTQI person with an STI. [Others] bring a Bible and throw it over their laps.”