Sexual Minorities Uganda-SMUG congratulates Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe-GALZ on being awarded with the prestigious Felipa de Souza award, 2015 by Outright Action International, formerly International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission.
SMUG Executive Director Dr Frank Mugisha says “GALZ has been doing great work for the last decade; I hope this award inspires them to do more. Just last year I presented the David Kato Vision and Voice award to the chair of GALZ Ms. Martha Tholanah, this shows how GALZ work is making a big difference in the region.”
GALZ was awarded the prestigious Felipa de Souza award, 2015 by Outright Action International, formerly International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, at a ceremony hosted in New York on 28 September 2015, an event to mark the 25th anniversary celebration of Outright Action International that coincided with GALZ’s 25th anniversary. The Felipa Award honors the work of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) activists from around the world. It embodies the spirit and story of Felipa de Souza, who endured persecution and brutality after proudly declaring her intimacy with a woman during a 16th Century inquisition trial in Brazil.
The award was presented to GALZ Director, Chesterfield Samba at Outright Action International’s annual gala “A Celebration of Courage” an event that creates an opportunity to highlight the achievements of individuals and organizations whose work contributes to an end to discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity worldwide.
After receiving the award, Chesterfield Samba said, “Human rights organizations should never remain inert even in the face of apparent demoralizing failure to achieve anything positive. They need to be strong, refuse to capitulate but instead espouse a culture of hope.” He thanked all those in Zimbabwe, Africa and the international community who have given tremendous support in the 25 years of GALZ’s existence.
GALZ has the distinction of being the only organization to have received the Felipa Award twice!” GALZ was a recipient of the award in 2005.
GALZ is a membership-based association promoting, representing and protecting the rights and interests of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender and intersex people through advocacy, lobbying, empowerment, education, research and provision of safe spaces.
