The Kaleidoscope Trust

The Kaleidoscope Trust

The Kaleidoscope Trust logo
Formation 13 September 2011 (2011-09-13)[1]
Legal status Non-profit organisation
Purpose LGBT rights
Headquarters London
Region served
Worldwide
Director
 Lance Price
Website The Kaleidoscope Trust

The Kaleidoscope International Diversity Trust is a nonprofit organisation that campaigns for equality for LGBT people around the world.

History

The Kaleidoscope Trust was founded in 2011, and launched with a reception held by the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow MP. Kaleidoscope has received support from Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, and Leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband. Elton John and George Michael were also supporters.[2][3]

Founders of the Kaleidoscope Trust include Bisi Alimi, who became the first man to come out as gay on Nigerian television in 2004. He was subsequently abused, and fled the country in 2007.[4] At the Kaleidoscope launch reception, Alimi said:[5]

“ I am tired of international organisations coming to Africa to tell us what to do. Kaleidoscope is coming to Africa to say, ‘What do you want us to do?’, and that is the most important thing. ”

Activities

The organisation works with existing groups campaigning for LGBT groups in other countries by using international lobbying in order to better enable groups to achieve their aims.[6]

In November 2011, the Trust worked towards ending Russian laws intended to stop the promotion of homosexuality and transsexuality. This followed a proposed anti-propaganda Bill in St Petersberg. The Bill was criticised by MEPs and the United States Department of State.[7] Gay rights activists in Russia condemned the Bill; they see it as a further way to stop rallies in favour of further gay rights.[8] The Trust launched a campaign to prevent the Bill in St Petersberg from coming into effect, and for existing laws in Ryazan and Archangel to be overturned by legal challenges at the European Court of Human Rights and the United Nations Human Rights Committee.[9]

In March 2012, the Trust was announced as the Official Charity Partner for World Pride 2012.[10]

In September 2013, Kaleidoscope Australia Human Rights Foundation was established as an independent organisation working in the Asia Pacific in partnership with Kaleidoscope Trust.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Jessica Geen, 'Speaker Launches New Gay Rights Group Kaleidoscope', Pink News, 14 September 2011
  2. ↑ Jessica Geen, 'David Cameron Backs new International Gay Rights Charity', Pink News, 12 September 2011
  3. ↑ Oliver Wright, 'Elton John Tells World Leaders: Stop Anti-Gay Discrimination', The Independent, 12 September 2011
  4. ↑ 'Persecuted for Being Gay', The Guardian, 13 September 2011
  5. ↑ Jessica Geen, 'Speaker Launches New Gay Rights Group Kaleidoscope', Pink News, 14 September 2011
  6. ↑ Saeed Kamali Dehghan, 'Africa and Middle East in spotlight as group launched to tackle homophobia', The Guardian, 12 September 2011
  7. ↑ Nikolai Alekseev, 'This Russian anti-gay bill is nothing short of medieval barbarity', The Guardian, 26 November 2011
  8. ↑ 'Russian gay rights activist slams anti-gay bill in St. Petersburg', Washington Post, 17 November 2011
  9. ↑ 'Kaleidoscope: act now to support the campaign against Russian anti-gay laws', The Kaleidoscope Trust, 28 November 2011
  10. ↑ 'Kaleidoscope Trust selected as charity partner for World Pride 2012', The Kaleidoscope Trust, 8 March 2012
  11. ↑ 'www.kaleidoscopeaustralia.com'

External links

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