The Fight Is Global: LGBTIQ Activists in Conversation

To celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, please join the Consulate General of Sweden in New York, Friends of the High Line, and Outright International on May 19 for a discussion on progress (and backlash) within the LGBTIQ human rights movement.

In New York, a city whose courage in 1969 at Stonewall inspired the global LGBTIQ movement, we understand the importance of protecting the rights that generations have fought for. Fortunately, there are lessons from around the world for us to draw upon. LGBTIQ activists in other countries have faced these conditions and worse before and survived them. The lessons from their experiences, strategies, and resiliencies are vital to learn from in a moment like this. Join us for a conversation about what it means to fight for LGBTIQ rights as a global community. In an increasingly globalized world, a setback anywhere weakens our movement everywhere, and a victory anywhere strengthens it too.

In the last decade, the progress that the LGBTIQ community has made has been astounding. However, these hard-fought successes were also noticed by those who oppose LGBTIQ rights. This global backlash to the LGBTIQ human rights movement has built vast international networks to coordinate their strategies and spread the same false narratives across borders. The attacks on the LGBTIQ community happening right here in the United States today are part of a global playbook, tested abroad and then imported back to places like New York when the opposition saw an opening.

At the event, U.S. Drag Activist Marti Gould Cummings and Iraqi Activist and Attorney Amir Ashour will join global LGBTIQ movement leader and Outright Executive Director Maria Sjödin, whose career includes leading the largest LGBTIQ organization in Sweden, RFSL, in conversation. They will discuss the global nature of the struggle for LGBTIQ rights and the need for those who advocate for LGBTIQ rights in New York City to support the fights for rights everywhere. The speakers will discuss what transnational movement-building looks like in practice and what we can learn from one another in an increasingly challenging political moment.

Bio

Maria Sjödin

Maria Sjödin is the Executive Director of Outright International and has been a leader in the global LGBTIQ movement for over 25 years. They have led major advocacy victories, expanded crisis response efforts, and strengthened international partnerships to support LGBTIQ communities worldwide. Previously, Maria led RFSL, Sweden’s largest LGBTIQ organization, where they successfully advocated for marriage equality and the abolition of forced sterilization of trans people.

Amir Ashour

Amir Ashour is the founder of IraQueer, Iraq's only national LGBT+ organization. He is currently a practicing attorney at White & Case LLP, where he focuses on private and public international law disputes. Amir holds a law degree from Harvard Law School and a Master's Degree in human rights from Columbia University. Amir has been the recipient of multiple awards, including MTV's Generation Change and GayTimes' International Trailblazer awards.

Marti Gould Cummings

Marti Cummings is a trailblazing drag artist, producer, and political leader whose 16-year career has redefined what it means to be a modern entertainer in America. A Guinness World Record holder as the first drag artist to perform on all seven continents—achieved through their global work with VACAYA LGBTQ travel—Marti’s work bridges stage, screen, and civic life.

Consul General Erik Ullenharg

Erik Ullenhag is the Consul General of Sweden in New York since August 2024. He is a diplomat and lawyer by profession, with a background in politics as a Minister for Integration and Member of Parliament in Sweden. Prior to coming to New York, Erik was Sweden’s Ambassador to Israel from 2020 to 2024. There he was instrumental in normalizing relations between Sweden and Israel, and hosted the first visit to Israel of a Swedish Foreign Minister in 10 years. Between 2016 and 2020, he was Sweden’s Ambassador to Jordan. His time there was focused on the bilateral relations with Jordan, and the response to the Syrian crisis.

Check in on the High Line at Gansevoort Street and Washington Street. You can enter the High Line via the nearest stairs at Gansevoort and Washington Street. The nearest elevator is also at Gansevoort and Washington Street. Please visit https://www.thehighline.org/elevator-status to see the current status of elevators.

In the case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the rain date of May 20, 2026 6 - 7pm. We will add a note to the website by noon on the day of the original event and email all registered participants.

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By attending this event, you agree that photos and/or video footage of you may be taken, and you grant your permission to Friends of the High Line and its agents/licensees to use such photos/footage for promotional and other purposes.

Accessibility:

We encourage all persons with disabilities to attend. To request additional information regarding accessibility or accommodations at a program, please contact [email protected]. Program venues are accessible via wheelchair, and ASL interpretation can be arranged two weeks in advance. If you require registration information for this event in Spanish or Simplified Chinese, contact us at [email protected].

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