Iraqi LGBT receives MoHo Award
Hivos partner Iraqi LGBT is one of the grantees of the 2010 Monette-Horwitz Trust Award. The ‘MoHo’ is granted to award individuals and organizations for their significant contributions toward eradicating homophobia.
A complete surprise for Iraqi LGBT chairman Ali Hili; “We are very honoured, particularly to be amongst such esteemed other awardees both this year and previously." Unfortunately Mr Hili himself is unable to travel to New York to accept the award in person (at the 2010 Lambda Literary Awards Ceremony on May 27th), as his travel is restricted by the British government due to his refugee status.
Important
The Monette-Horwitz Trust told Iraqi LGBT that "what you are doing to monitor abuse of LGBT in Iraq is very important, and we want to support and encourage your continuing work". It added that "we greatly admire what you are doing and we hope the encouragement offered by the award will help you continue your work and activism. We appreciate what you are doing for the global community."
Iraqi LGBT offers concrete help to lesbians, gay, bisexuals and transgenders in life-threatening situation. The organization runs safe houses and is involved in awareness work and advocacy to eventually obtain legal recognition and protection for LGBT in Iraq. Hivos has been supporting Iraqi LGBT since 2008.
Difficult
Fighting for LGBT rights is a difficult and sensitive topic in the Iraqi context. The past years, minorities and women are increasingly discriminated against and subjected to conservative Islamic norms and values. In 2009, hundreds of gay and lesbians have been killed, often after having been raped and tortured, mostly by radical armed militia.
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