“Breaking the Silence” on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity during COVID-19 (Global Engagement Online Series)

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While our world has made strides on basic human rights, global challenges, like the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including the LGBTI community. On May 6, 2020 at 4 pm, Mr. Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, will demonstrate how his mandate is helping to address global challenges related to COVID-19. In addition, Sam Brinton, head of Advocacy and Government Affairs for the Trevor Project will speak on how they are advocating for policies on a national level to protect LGBTI youth.

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Mr. Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Victor Madrigal-Borloz is the UN Independent Expert on Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. He was appointed for a three years mandate starting on 1 January 2018. Until June 2019, he served as the Secretary-General of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT). A member of the UN Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture from 2013 to 2016, Mr Madrigal-Borloz was Rapporteur on Reprisals and oversaw a draft policy on the torture and ill-treatment of LGBTI persons. Prior to this, he led technical work on numerous cases, reports and testimonies as Head of Litigation and Head of the Registry at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and has also worked at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (Copenhagen, Denmark) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (San José, Costa Rica). Mr Madrigal-Borloz is a founding member of the Costa Rican Association of International Law (ACODI), a founding Board member of the International Justice Resource Centre (IJRC), and a founding Board member of Synergia-IDH.

Sam Brinton, Vice President of Advocacy and Government Affairs for the Trevor Project

Sam is one of the world’s leading advocates for LGBTQ youth. They are the Vice President of Advocacy and Government Affairs at The Trevor Project and founder of the 50 Bills 50 States campaign to end the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy, first in the United States and then around the globe. As a survivor of conversion therapy, Sam has spearheaded efforts to submit legislation and promote public education in the hopes of ending the practice on minors. They have co-chaired the National Center for Lesbian Rights #BornPerfect Advisory Committee on conversion therapy and have spoken before the United Nations and Congress as well as testified on legislation to protect LGBTQ youth across the country. They have been featured in numerous media including multiple widely shared New York Times op-eds as well as The Washington Post, Playboy Magazine, TIME Magazine, USA TODAY, MSNBC, PBS Newshour, Huffington Post, and CTV in Canada. Sam uses they, them, or theirs as their pronouns as a genderfluid person.

Chris Boian, Spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Washington, D.C.

Chris Boian is spokesperson in the United States and the Caribbean for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency). Based in Washington DC, Chris works with journalists, policymakers, students, prominent advocates and many others to help bring timely, accurate information to the public discussion about people forced to flee their homes to escape war, violence and persecution. Prior to joining UNHCR, Chris spent three decades overseas as a news correspondent covering conflict and security issues in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Roy L. Hunt, Senior Vice President of Global Franchise, Gap Inc.

Roy leads Global Franchise and Strategic Alliances for Gap Inc. – which includes all brands and channels.  Roy’s focus is on building strong relationships and collaborative partnerships with whom we do business with around the world.  Regardless of geography, Roy believes the one thing we all have in common is our commitment to our brands, our customers and each other.

In Roy’s 15 years within Gap Inc., he has held several roles within the company.  Prior to leading Franchise and Strategic Alliances, Roy began his career at the company leading the field organization for the Outlet Division – overseeing Gap Outlet, Banana Factory Store and Old Navy Outlet.  Several years later, Roy was asked to move to Banana Republic where he led Stores and Operations Worldwide; in addition to International, Franchise, Global Field Visual Merchandising and Store Design. Roy is also Executive Sponsor of GEAR (Gay Employees And Resources), Gap Inc.’s LGBTQ+ employee resource group.

Prior to joining Gap Inc., Roy was with the Walt Disney Company for 15 years.  He began as the 22^nd employee with the Disney Stores and helped expand the business to over 600 worldwide.  Before leaving Disney, Roy was responsible for the revenue generating businesses at Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure, Downtown Disney and the Disneyland Resorts – including Merchandising, Stores and the various business that support the Guest experience.

When Roy isn’t traveling, he enjoys spending time in his home in the wine country with his husband, friends and grown children.