In the United States, we have seen lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) rights and well- being advance over the past several decades. But LGBTI people are still criminalized, victimized, and discriminated against in every corner of the globe. In fact, the status and living conditions of LGBTI people in a number of countries have worsened in recent years. In nearly 80 countries, same-sex sexual activity is against the law — and in ten countries, it is punishable by death. Even publicly supporting LGBTI rights has been made a crime in some countries. Given these injustices, Americans are privileged because we are able to take a stand.
Our vision is simple: to educate and engage individual supporters who want to help improve the lives of LGBTI people worldwide. To do this, we have created Alturi, an online hub for news, stories, and advocacy. We provide updates and information on the issues and challenges facing the LGBTI community around the globe. We also provide profiles and narratives of the local and international organizations working to improve the lives of LGBTI people on the ground. Alturi enables organizations — regardless of size — to explain how they’re working to improve the lives of LGBTI people in their country or region. By highlighting the work LGBTI groups and individuals are doing at a local level, we hope to bring a fresh perspective to global LGBTI rights.
Alturi was created to bring together a community to help improve the living conditions of LGBTI people globally by educating the public, engaging partners and allies, and encouraging and facilitating support. Our website prominently features news, stories, and content to draw in supporters, educate and engage them on issues, and compel them to get involved. It is meant to provide an outlet for effective, meaningful, and relevant advocacy that is easy and accessible for all. Alturi gives concerned Americans the chance to make a difference at the local level for LGBTI people around the world.
By using technology to make this information accessible to millions of supporters, we hope to create the most robust platform ever used for international LGBTI rights. We work with our partners’ diverse experience, global and local perspectives, and groundbreaking successes to help Americans participate in a global movement. We hope to bridge many worlds and to change the landscape for the better, saving effort, time, money, and lives.
Alturi was launched with seed funding from the Kevin J. Mossier Foundation and is fiscally-sponsored by the Caravanserai Project.
What’s in a Name?
“Alturi” is derived from the name of the gay British World War II code breaker Alan Turing. Turing’s work saved thousands—possibly millions—of lives, but the same government he served later persecuted him for his sexual orientation. He died of suicide at age 41. Alturi’s name is a tribute to him and to the idea that all LGBTI people should be allowed to rise to their full potential. “Alturi” is also evocative of concepts such as “altruism,” “alternative,” “altitude,” “turning,” and even “touring”—all concepts that resonate with the work that we are doing.
Our logo is an abstract representation of two hands clasping each other, which together create a stylized globe. It represents the idea of extending a helping hand across the globe and, together, creating something whole.
Who We Are
Staff
Joel Klausler – Director of StrategyJoel Klausler (he/him/his) serves as a human rights storytelling strategist. He is currently at the University of Minnesota, completing a master of arts degree in strategic communication and a graduate minor in human rights. His objective at Alturi is to elevate the stories of underrepresented LGBTI activists with purpose. Contact joel@alturi.org
Robert Blackmon – Project DirectorRobert is passionate about the use of technology to improve the political, social and economic conditions of marginalized communities. His online consultancy, Demotrac, specializes in messaging and community-building integrations for non-profits in the LGBTI and media spaces. Contact robert@alturi.org
Charlie Rounds – Alturi Co-Founder
Charlie Rounds is the co-founder of Alturi and Give OUT Day. He was a travel industry executive for more than 30 years including 13 years at RSVP Vacations. Charlie has served on the board of directors of Meet Minneapolis, The Civil Marriage Collaborative, The Center for Victims of Torture, and the Kevin J. Mossier Foundation. Contact charlier@alturi.org
Sebastian Tangelson – Alturi Gobal Communications Intern
Sebastian is a second-year Global Communications intern at Alturi in his senior year at St Louis Park High School. Influenced by his Argentine-American background, Sebastian believes in leveraging his multilingual and cross-cultural skills to assist Alturi in its LGBTI livelihood work in the Caribbean and South America, namely encouraging multinational corporations to better engage in the economic well-being of the global LGBTI community. Contact sebastian@alturi.org
Alexandra Kuenning – Lead WriterAlexandra (Xandie) Kuenning (she/her/hers) is a graduate of Northeastern University with a Bachelor’s in International Affairs and is currently pursuing an International Master’s degree in Central and East European, Russian and Eurasian Studies. In her work with non-profit organizations, she has concentrated on Eurasian affairs, with a specific focus on the emergence of LGBTI rights and organizations. Contact alexandra@alturi.org
Alturi is grateful for the support and partnership of a number of leading governmental, non-governmental and non-profit organizations, as well as corporations and non-profits. These include:
Advocates for Youth
American Jewish World Service
Amnesty International USA
Astraea Foundation
The Fund for Global Human Rights
Heartland Alliance
Human Rights First
Human Rights Watch
ORAM – Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration
OUTRight Action International
Alternatives-Cameroun
Arus Pelangi
Asociación ALFIL – Identidades en diálogo
CariFLAGS
Friends of Prague Pride
Friends of Zagreb Pride
J-Flag
REDLACTRANS
Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD)
Thai Transgender Alliance
UHAI EASHRI (East African Sexual Health and Rights Initiative)Photos courtesy American Jewish World Service: Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera of Freedom and Roam Uganda (FARUG) and activist with Movimiento de la Diversidad Sexual Costeña (MODISEC) in Nicaragua photographed by Evan Abramson.
