Friday Forum- Human Rights Week,Toward Inclusivity: Engaging LGBTQ Communities and Individuals in De

In celebration of American University's Human Rights Week and in collaboration with AU's Center for Diversity and Inclusion, this week's Friday Forum presents: " Toward Inclusivity: Engaging LGBTQ Communities and Individuals in Development." We're delighted to host this impressive line-up of speakers: Dr. Chloe Schwenke is the Vice President for Global Programs at Freedom House in Washington, D.C. In prior employment, she was among the first of three transgender persons ever in American history to become a senior political appointee, serving the Obama Administration at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) as USAID’s Senior Advisor on LGBT Policy and as USAID Africa Bureau’s Senior Advisor on Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance. An openly transsexual woman, Chloe is a human rights activist, development practitioner and academic with over three decades of international experience, nearly half of it while living in developing countries. In November 2013, she also was a co-recipient of the national award for public service from the National Center for Transgender Equality in Washington, D.C. ---------------------------------------------- Regina Jun is Sr. Program Analyst and Gender Advisor for USAID's Bureau for Latin America and Caribbean, where she has advanced integration of gender and LGBTI issues throughout USAID's development assistance. She also serves as Associate Social Chair for GLIFAA, LGBT Employee Resource Group for Foreign Service Agencies. Prior to joining USAID, Regina worked at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Korea, served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay, conducted research in Sierra Leone, and consulted small businesses independently in Turkey. Regina is passionate about promoting diversity, gender equality, and organizational changes in businesses and government agencies. Regina grew up in Chino Hills, California. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from University of California, Irvine and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. ---------------------------------------------- Maurice Tomlinson is an attorney-at-law and has been involved in LGBT and AIDS activism in the Caribbean for over 14 years. He is a Legal Advisor for Marginalized Groups for AIDS-Free World (AFW) and also lectures law at the University of Ontario Institute Of Technology. On behalf of AFW, Maurice is leading a regional project to combat systemic homophobia that is directly linked to the region’s vastly disproportionate HIV prevalence rate among MSM. In this regard he has been implementing several anti-homophobia strategies including public advocacy campaigns; conducting documenting trainings for, as well as actively reporting on, human rights violations against Caribbean LGBT persons; spearheading legal challenges against anti-gay laws; and delivering LGBT sensitivity training for police services around the region. In 2011, Maurice received the inaugural David Kato Vision and Voice Award, which celebrates the life, work and legacy of murdered Ugandan LGBT and HIV and AIDS activist, David Kato. ---------------------------------------------- Urooj Arshad is the Associate Director for International Youth Health and Rights. She manages a project of the International Division that builds the capacity of youth-driven organizations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean to empower young people as powerful advocates within their own countries and at international forums on reproductive and sexual health and rights of youth, especially young women and GLBTQ youth. Urooj has had fourteen years of experience organizing within GLBTQ communities of color especially addressing issues of Islamophobia, violence, sexism, transphobia and ageism. Urooj was a member of the Center for American Progress’ Women’s Health Leadership Network and a current member of its Faith and Reproductive Justice Institute. Urooj was also a fellow with the American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute. The Forum will take place at 530PM in the Abramson Founders Room at the School of International Service (SIS) at American University (corner of New Mexico and Nebraska Avenues NW). Light food and refreshments will be served.