Logo, the leading queer entertainment network, launched a new campaign today that aims to elevate the lives and stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people on a global scale.
Coinciding with The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biophobia (IDAHOT), Global Ally's launch includes a multi-platform campaign, connecting people along the spectrum of queer and trans identity despite their geographical locations. This multifaceted campaign is tangible as much as it is symbolic -- not only operating as a statement of solidarity with queers living in less LGBT-friendly parts of the world, but providing points of connection in order to educate, empower and generate conversation and action surrounding the predicaments of queers whose situations are more dire than those in Western, developed nations.
"We asked international activists how an American audience can help and many said that personal messages of solidarity and support would go a long way," Richard Ferraro, Senior Director of Communications & Public Affairs for Logo, told The Huffington Post. "Oftentimes, international activists do not receive positive messages from friends, neighbors, or family, so we’ve created a way that our audience can be that voice of support. When you share one of the video stories from our site, you can send a message to that direct activist which will appear on GlobalAlly.org. They can then reply to the message on our site."
In conjunction with the Global Ally platform, Logo is also releasing research surrounding attitudes towards queer people in 65 countries, involving the input of nearly 100,000 individuals through a survey.
"Logo conducted a first-of-its-kind global survey of attitudes toward LGBTI people in 65 countries together with the International LGBTI Association (ILGA) and global research firm RIWI," Ferraro continued. "With the exception of seven countries (Congo, Fiji, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Uganda), the number of respondents who said their attitudes toward LGBTI people have become more favorable over the past five years was higher than respondents whose attitudes have become less favorable. The universal reason behind the positive shift is knowing someone who is LGBTI and seeing LGBTI stories in the media. Our stories have the power to create real change. By sharing the stories of international LGBTI people, our audience can be a part of this global shift towards acceptance."
Logo's Global Ally is an ongoing campaign. Check out some clips from international queer and trans activists above and head here for more information and to get involved.