This week we shine our spotlight on the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and the very important work they do with gay and lesbian rights issues around the world. For this spotlight we interviewed director of programs Marianne Møllmann. Ms. Møllmann previously was a senior policy advisor with Amnesty International’s International Secretariat in London where she focused on freedom of expression and sexual rights issues, and a women’s rights researcher and advocate with Human Rights Watch in New York. Ms. Møllmann specializes in sexual rights, reproductive rights, women in conflict, economic rights, and anti-discrimination. Ms. Møllmann has lived and worked in several countries and continents. She is the former co-coordinator of the Women’s Working Group of the International Network for Economic Social and Cultural Rights and the former executive director of the Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA). Ms. Møllmann holds an LL.M. in International Human Rights Law from Essex University and speaks fluent Spanish, French, and Danish.
Progressive Lawyer: Hello. Please introduce yourself and describe your role in IGLHRC.
Marianne Møllmann: My name is Marianne Møllmann, and I am director of programs at IGLHRC. That means I head up our UN advocacy, and support our 4 regional coordinators as they lead their programs in the regions of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
PL: Why was your organization started? What issues does it confront?
MM: For nearly 25 years, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission has been working hand-in-hand with activists in the Global South to support, strengthen, promote and expand the movement for a more just and safe world. IGLHRC is the only LGBT organization based in the United States that is dedicated solely to working with frontline activists who are seeking to change discriminatory laws, stop violence and promote human rights for everyone, everywhere.