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Our teams

Get to know the teams behind our mission

Organisation chart: Who's who?

IGLYO Members shape the organisation and have the final say on significant strategic moves. They elect the Executive Board, vote on work plans and budgets, and approve changes to our foundational documents.

The priorities of the Members inform the work of the Secretariat. Both the Board and Secretariat are supported on defined topics by the Governance Team.
And to help us achieve our mission in a truly fair and inclusive way, our team collaborates with several paid Working Groups on specific issues.

Visual displaying IGLYO's Organisation Chart

 Meet  the teams!

Executive BoardSecretariatGovernance TeamAnti-racism Panel

Executive Board

The Executive Board provides governance leadership to IGLYO. It consists of 6 to 9 LGBTQI young people between 18-30 at the time of their election who are nominated by Members and mandated for a term of three years by the General Assembly to oversee the governance and strategy of the organisation. They represent the views of the Membership in between General Assemblies. In October 2025, seven new Board Members were elected and will start their mandate in February 2026!

Taj Donville-Outerbridge
Board Co-Chair
United Kingdom/Bermuda
They/them
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Taj Donville-Outerbridge
Board Co-Chair
United Kingdom/Bermuda
They/them

Taj is a proud Black, queer, non-binary multi-award winning activist and writer, championing LGBTQI+ rights, mental health, and anti-racism locally and globally. They hold a BSc in Global Health & Social Medicine from King’s College London. They were nominated to the board by the UK’s National Union of Students, where they served as the immediate past LGBTQI+ Officer.

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Hailing from Bermuda, Taj co-founded Bermuda’s first LGBTQI+ youth group and Bermuda Pride. They also serve on Bermuda's National Youth Council and as the youngest Non-Executive Director of OUTBermuda, Bermuda’s only LGBTQ+ charity. Taj is currently pursuing a dual master’s in public administration and global affairs at the LSE and the University of Toronto.

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Any questions? Email Taj!

Joh von Felten
Board Co-Chair
Switzerland
They/them
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Joh von Felten
Board Co-Chair
Switzerland
They/them

Joh is based in Zurich and was the Executive Director of Milchjugend, the largest queer youth organisation in Switzerland, from 2021 to 2025. Milchjugend's work focuses on empowering queer youth and providing them with the resources to create their own spaces and projects.

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Joh studied at the Basel Academy of Art and Design and holds a BA in Process Design. They are currently doing a BSc in Social Work at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Lucerne. Their activism focuses on community building across generations, work around fat liberation and accessibility, and organising queer cultural events.

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In their spare time, they enjoy cooking, reading books on butch/lesbian history and identities, working in a gay bar, and yapping with friends for hours.

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Any questions? Email Joh!

Alex Shah
Board Member
Luxembourg / Azerbaijan
They/them
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Alex Shah
Board Member
Luxembourg / Azerbaijan
They/them

Alex is a young, authentic, award-winning trans advocate and multimedia storyteller focused on global socio-political issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities.

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They have been dedicated to reporting the stories of marginalized and underrepresented groups, with a particular focus on human rights, trans sex workers, minors, rural youth, and students across the Azerbaijan & beyond. Using different fields of society - including media, advocacy, art and cultural initiatives, Alex engages diverse audiences to address community challenges and voices.

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Shah also serves as an IGLYO representative to the Youth Council of the World Health Organization (WHO).

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Any questions? Email Alex!

Artemis Akbary
Board Member
Czech Republic
He/She/They
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Artemis Akbary
Board Member
Czech Republic
He/She/They

Artemis Akbary (He/She/They) is a queer Afghan refugee and an internationally recognised LGBTIQ+ activist and human rights defender, currently based in the Czech Republic. They are the Executive Director of the Afghanistan LGBTIQ+ Organization (ALO), a leading LGBTIQ+ organization dedicated to advancing the rights, protection, and dignity of LGBTIQ+ people in conflict and post-conflict settings, with a primary focus on Afghanistan. They actively engage with international accountability mechanisms, including UN Special Procedures, the UN Human Rights Council, and other multilateral forums, to ensure that violations against LGBTIQ+ people are documented and addressed. Artemis has spoken at the European Parliament and addressed global human rights issues at platforms such as the UN Human Rights Council, the UN Security Council, and other international and regional forums, and is widely recognised as a strong voice for marginalised communities.

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With extensive experience advocating for LGBTIQ+ refugees and asylum seekers, Artemis has worked at the EU level to promote inclusive asylum systems and protection frameworks. In the Czech Republic, through ALO, they have led trainings for Czech authorities and service providers on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) inclusion in asylum and migration systems, and have contributed to broader advocacy efforts for an inclusive and rights-based European asylum system. In addition to their advocacy work, Artemis previously worked as a radio producer at Radio RanginKaman, the first radio station dedicated to Afghan and Iranian LGBTIQ+ communities, using media as a tool for visibility, empowerment, and community connection. They have also served as a consultant with various international organizations and NGOs on forced displacement, refugee protection, and intersectional human rights issues. Artemis holds an academic background in International Relations and European Politics, with particular expertise in Queer, Peace, and Security.

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Any questions? Email Artemis!

Eugénie Devevey
Board Member (Secretary)
Belgium / France
She/her
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Eugénie Devevey
Board Member (Secretary)
Belgium / France
She/her

Eugé is an intersectional feminist and queer rights activist from France based in Brussels. She brings a mix of grassroots activism as well as institutional experiences at EU level.

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She currently manages projects for an NGO on education, protection, and youth participation. In the past, she worked with human rights and feminist organisations on topics ranging from gender equality to inclusive education and queer community building. She holds a Msc from SOAS university of London where her research focused on feminist and queer approaches to international law and politics.

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In her free time, you will most likely find her climbing, cooking for friends or reading a lesbian book in a cute café.

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Any questions? Email Eugé!

Georgy Kalakutskii
Board Member (Treasurer)
Germany / Russia / Lithuania
He/They
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Georgy Kalakutskii
Board Member (Treasurer)
Germany / Russia / Lithuania
He/They

Based in Berlin, Georgy works in human rights and international public advocacy. They lead efforts to help people outside Russia understand what queer communities face — and how they can support in practical, safe ways. Outside of main work, they also work as a facilitator, and especially enjoy it when it comes to turning big, messy conversations into concrete next steps, whether that’s a strategy session, a community meeting, or a multi‑country partnership call.

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Georgy has engaged across advocacy fields, including labour & migration rights, and make sure to bring that that intersectional mindset into everything they do.

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Any questions? Email Georgy!

Marta Di Giorgi
Board Member
France / Italy
She/They
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Marta Di Giorgi
Board Member
France / Italy
She/They

Marta is a queer activist originally from Italy, currently based in Paris. Their journey started with local grassroots movements in Bologna through Cassero LGBTQIA+ Center where they contributed to projects that challenge stigma and create braver spaces for queer youth. Over the years, they have worked as a trainer and facilitator in international contexts focusing on non-formal learning and active youth participation. With an academic background in Communication and Semiotics, they now work as a volunteer coordinator.

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Off duty? Probably practicing bachata, eating a sweet treat or planning their next trip!

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Any questions? Email Marta!

Samu/elle Striewski
Board Member (AMC Coordinator)
Germany
They/them
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Samu/elle Striewski
Board Member (AMC Coordinator)
Germany
They/them

Elle (short for Samu/elle) is a queer activist pursuing a master’s in political theory at Oxford, where they research queer solidarity with Palestine. Their academic and journalistic writing focusses on trans, queer, and feminist politics, and they co-edited a forthcoming book on contemporary German drag.

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Having previously served on the board of BiNe, the German bisexual network, Elle recently joined the advisory board of Intersectional Innovation and Impact Labs. They also represent IGLYO at the European Youth Forum. Beyond (and sometimes during) work, they are passionate about making pancakes, drinking lots of tea, and falling asleep in the sun.

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Any questions? Email Elle!

Secretariat

Based in Brussels, the Secretariat is responsible for implementing the work plan and strategic plan voted on by Members at the General Assembly and carrying out the daily operations of the organisation.

Bella FitzPatrick
Executive Director
Belgium / Ireland
She/her
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Bella FitzPatrick
Executive Director
Belgium / Ireland
She/her

As our Executive Director since March 2022, Bella is managing the IGLYO Secretariat and overseeing the daily operations of the organisation. Before IGLYO, Bella was the CEO at ShoutOut, an organisation working on LGBTQI equality in schools in Ireland.

Bella’s focus is on youth issues, and she is passionate about the power of education in tackling discrimination. She also loves knitting, and she’s the greatest fan of her dog Mervin, who now became the famous IGLYO office mascot.



Any question? Email Bella!

Rú Ávila Rodríguez
Deputy Executive Director and Policy & Research Manager
Belgium / Spain
They/them (EN) / Elle/le (ES)
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Rú Ávila Rodríguez
Deputy Executive Director and Policy & Research Manager
Belgium / Spain
They/them (EN) / Elle/le (ES)

Rú started their journey with IGLYO in 2016 when they finished their PhD in Critical Social Studies. As Policy & Research Manager, they've expanded our advocacy work in areas such as education, health, and safety. Currently, they also act as our Deputy Executive Director. As such, they work closely with our ED on the strategic oversight of the organisation, and they support on grant management and fund acquisition. They are our contact point towards EU institutions, the Council of Europe, and other international organisations.

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Rú began their activism in 2001 at Spanish LGBTQI NGOs. Since then, they've been navigating queer spaces by volunteering, working and marching. They love dancing, laughing, performing, and eating —anything except for being quiet or still for too long.

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Any questions? Email Rú!

Ahmed El-Salawy
Policy & Research Officer
Belgium / Germany
He/him
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Ahmed El-Salawy
Policy & Research Officer
Belgium / Germany
He/him

Ahmed is a passionate human rights lawyer and advocate. He worked with Human Rights Watch, investigating rights violations against LGBTI individuals in the MENA region. Ahmed also played a key role at ILGA World, strengthening LGBTI organizations' engagement with UN human rights mechanisms. With expertise in refugee protection, Ahmed worked with UNHCR and Save the Children, focusing on survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, unaccompanied children, and LGBTIQ refugees.

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Outside work, Ahmed finds solace in books exploring philosophy, politics, and spirituality. He is happiest surrounded by loved ones in nature, be it a park, forest, or beach.

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Any questions? Email Ahmed!

Amélie Waters
Policy & Research Officer
Belgium / France / UK
They/them
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Amélie Waters
Policy & Research Officer
Belgium / France / UK
They/them

Amélie joined IGLYO after several years of LGBTQI+ policy, research and advocacy work. She previously focused on LGBTQI+ rights advocacy and engagement with the UN human rights mechanisms through her work with REDRESS and at ILGA World. She also focused on LGBTQI+ refugee protection whilst volunteering with NGOs based in Northern France and whilst working with the KCL Research Migration Group and at the Council of Europe.

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Outside of work, you can usually find Amélie outdoors, either hiking, climbing, swimming or running, or attending events and navigating queer and feminist spaces.

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Any questions? Email Amélie!

Jeremy Gobin
Communications & Network Manager
Belgium
He/him
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Jeremy Gobin
Communications & Network Manager
Belgium
He/him

A queer activist with LGBTQI youth at heart, Jeremy handles IGLYO's comms in all aspects and oversees the management of network-related tasks. He previously worked as the Comms and Membership Manager of the International network for contemporary performing arts (IETM), and managed the comms of the EU project Perform Europe. Jeremy notably acquired experience working with LGBTQI youth through his four-year volunteering for Le Refuge Bruxelles, a Brussels-based emergency shelter for LGBTQI young people and asylum seekers in need.

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Outside of work, Jeremy indulges in creative writing, loves his cats Robert and Odile, and is a big-time fan of video games.

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Any questions? Email Jeremy!

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Toryn Glavin
Communications & Network Officer
Belgium / Ireland
She/her
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Toryn Glavin
Communications & Network Officer
Belgium / Ireland
She/her

Toryn Glavin is a professional trans advocate and activist who has worked in a variety of professional and voluntary roles across the LGBTQI+ sector at both national and European levels over the last decade. She most recently held the role of Operations & Development Manager at Outhouse LGBT Community Centre in her native Dublin, having previously worked for 4 years at Stonewall in the UK as Trans Communities Manager.

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Before this she worked for the Transgender Equality Network Ireland, and she previously sat on the board of Transgender Europe from 2016 to 2019 as well as IGLYO’s own board from 2020, until her appointment to this role in late 2023.

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Toryn believes fundamentally in the power of inclusion and representation in our movement. Alongside her work for trans communities, she has a personal investment in the liberation of fat, working class, disabled and autistic queer folk.
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Any questions? Email Toryn!

Viola Bianchetti
Programmes Manager
Italy / Belgium
She/her
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Viola Bianchetti
Programmes Manager
Italy / Belgium
She/her

Viola started her journey into LGBTQI+ activism as a volunteer of the European Students' Forum, where she led a working group on combatting discrimination based on gender, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation, as well as several projects on gender and LGBTQI+ mainstreaming. Her work also focused on youth participation, civic education and youth empowerment.

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Viola is passionate about non-formal education and peer-learning. In her free time, she practices circus and acrobatic disciplines, enjoys climbing and hiking, and listens to a lot of random podcasts.

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Any questions? Email Viola!

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Ali Bodo
Programmes Officer
Italy / Belgium
They/them
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Ali Bodo
Programmes Officer
Italy / Belgium
They/them

Ali is a queer trans non-binary activist committed to dismantling white cis-heteronormative oppression. They joined IGLYO after completing a Master in Transnational Queer Feminist Politics in London, where they researched how to “queer” gender in international development programming. Before that, they spent four years working with international NGOs in the Middle East and West Africa, designing, coordinating, and delivering gender-related programmes.

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Ali is now IGLYO’s Programmes Officer, where they support the design and implementation of capacity-building programmes for young queer activists.

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Any questions? Email Ali!

Ale Carlucci Zambrano
Projects & Events Officer
Belgium / Venezuela
They/She (EN) Elle/Ella (ES)
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Ale Carlucci Zambrano
Projects & Events Officer
Belgium / Venezuela
They/She (EN) Elle/Ella (ES)

Ale is an in-house ‘Jackie’ of all trades, interested in art as a means for collective organising and individual emancipation. After studying the social impact of urban projects on local minority communities at the London School of Architecture, Ale co-founded Queers in Space, a platform focused on involving and empowering LGBTQIA+ communities in changing Brussels according to their collective needs and aspirations. They previously worked for the Festival where Arts Meet Empowerment in expanding their reach and public, as well as programming activities that blurred the boundaries between culture and activism.

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In her free time, you can find Ale volunteering for participatory builds, crocheting, indulging in sci-fi media, reading cards for her (chosen) family or doing house chores to salsa music.

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Any questions? Email Ale!

Lucille Colin de Verdière
Finance & Operations Manager
Belgium / France
They/them
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Lucille Colin de Verdière
Finance & Operations Manager
Belgium / France
They/them

Lucille came in as admin assistant in March 2020, and quickly started managing the finances and operations. They are responsible for overseeing the finances, the office and supporting the director in HR, legal compliance and organisational development.

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Lucille is an excel wizard, loves to present data and create system.When not at work, Lucille loves cycling, climbing, surfing, building projects, they are fund of animals and very much into cooking and eating.

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Any questions? Email Lucille!

Maruschka
Administration Officer
Belgium
She/her
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Maruschka
Administration Officer
Belgium
She/her

Maruschka helps grease the wheels of admin at IGLYO — but not only! A big-time Beyoncé fan, she loves to read books and buy them (two separate hobbies). Maruschka can make a really mean peanut butter and chocolate fondant. And last but not least, she has a borderline unhealthy obsession with ice cream, no matter the season, and with the Teen Wolf series.

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Any question? Email Maruschka!

Merv
Office Cuddler
Belgium
He/him
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Merv
Office Cuddler
Belgium
He/him

A long-time LGBTQIA+ ally, Merv is our Executive Director Bella's dog, and now beloved office mascot. Merv is the go-to staff member if you're having a bad day and need some cheering up — especially if there's a treat into the bargain.

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Outside of work, Merv loves going for walks and meeting with friends in the dog park — outside of rainy or windy conditions that is. And beware of his charm: He won't hesitate to look at you with his puppy-dog eyes to get a crumb of your meal!

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Any questions? Email Merv (just kidding, he's a dog)!

Nouille (aka Fifine)
Office Diva
Belgium
She/her
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Nouille (aka Fifine)
Office Diva
Belgium
She/her

The absolute queen, Nouille may be 14 and tiny, but she rules the office with quiet determination from her blanket throne. Though a little shaky, she's brave at heart - always ready for a cuddle, a treat, or a bicycle ride with her human. She loves naps, snacks, and being admired (as she deserves).

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Governance Team

The Governance Team is a volunteer advisory body supporting the Board and the Secretariat on specific issues such as governance, finances, and the General Assembly.

Karoline Börner
Governance Team Member
Germany / Belgium
She/her
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Karoline Börner
Governance Team Member
Germany / Belgium
She/her

Karo joined IGLYO’s staff team fresh from Berlin in 2015. She was our Finance & Admin person for 4 years, before moving into an HR Management position in one of the leading global Humanitarian organisations. She has now come back to support IGLYO as part of the Governance Team, mostly in questions regarding Belgian rules and regulations.

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Karo loves her family (big), her cats (3), and her plants (fluctuating). And the one thing she’ll keep from Covid-19 lockdowns is listening to audio books on long walks. Send her suggestions!

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Any questions? Email Karo!

Léa Charlet
Governance Team Member
France / Belgium
She/her
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Léa Charlet
Governance Team Member
France / Belgium
She/her

Léa Charlet joined IGLYO's Governance Team with a strong background in international membership organisations and team coordination. Recently, she led a team of eight, managing strategic, administrative, HR, and financial responsibilities. Actively involved in European affairs and social movements, Léa has led projects promoting sustainability, gender equality, and youth empowerment. As a multilingual facilitator, she is committed to creating inclusive environments.

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Outside of being a political addict, she reads (a lot), watches TV shows (too much), plays the trumpet (not enough according to her teacher), and does improv theater.

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Any questions? Email Léa!

Anti-Racism Panel

Building on the legacy of the IGLYO Anti-Racism Task Force (2022-23), the IGLYO Anti-Racism Panel functions as a pivotal paid advisory body within IGLYO, supporting both the Board and the Secretariat on matters related to racial equality and racial justice. Its responsibility encompasses multifaceted aspects, aiming to bridge gaps in IGLYO’s programming, documentation, communications, and advocacy & research initiatives, all with the overarching objective of forging a safer and more equitable future for LGBTQI BIPOC and ethnic minority youth and students across Europe.

Purity Tumukwasibwe
Anti-Racism Panel Member (Advocacy & Research)
Sweden
She/her
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Purity Tumukwasibwe
Anti-Racism Panel Member (Advocacy & Research)
Sweden
She/her

Purity is a trans woman and trans rights activist, social scientist, a board member of Transgender Europe (TGEU) and Rainbow Refugees Sweden, a community-building Specialist at Queerstion Media (a BIPOC queer organisation in Sweden), a model, and an actress. She is the co-founder of Refugee Trans Initiative in Kenya, and a co-founding member of Rainbow Refugees Sweden.

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Passionate about advocating for BIPOC trans immigrants in Europe, she also leads a BIPOC trans support group in Sweden funded by Lesbisk makt Sweden. “We deserve better and I believe that it’s a beautiful world if we advocate and win together”, says Purity.

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Any questions? Email Purity!

Chougher Maria Doughramajian
Anti-Racism Panel Member (Programmes)
She/her
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Chougher Maria Doughramajian
Anti-Racism Panel Member (Programmes)
She/her

Chougher was born and raised in Aleppo, Syria and is currently based in Belfast, N. Ireland. She is the president of Voices of Young Refugees in Europe, Vice-President of Voicify and Community Engaged Research & Learning Officer at Queen’s University Belfast. Chougher is an Obama Foundation leader and a committee member at Rainbow Refugees Northern Ireland. She was a member of IGLYO’s inaugural Anti-Racism Task Force in 2022-2023.

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Chougher holds graduate and postgraduate qualifications from the American University of Armenia and the University of Toronto in Communications, Human Rights and Genocide Studies. She recently obtained a M.Phil. degree in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation at Trinity College Dublin, as a recipient of the prestigious Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship.

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Chougher is a peacebuilder and an advocate for refugee rights and LGBTQ+ people, working to raise common concerns and strengthen capacities, in order to contribute to more inclusive societies in Europe, the Middle East and beyond.

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Any questions? Email Chougher!

Eppnoggia Mutetwa
Anti-Racism Panel Member (Comms & Network)
Ireland
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Eppnoggia Mutetwa
Anti-Racism Panel Member (Comms & Network)
Ireland

Eppnoggia is an Intersectional feminist, scholar, published author, poet and human rights and mental health activist. Their work speaks to various social ills, with focus on religion, race, gender, sexual orientation and sometimes politics. Their writings are meant to push people to feel uncomfortable with being conservative and spark conversations on topics that are usually silenced in mainstream media.

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Eppnoggia currently serves on the boards of The Fruit Basket and Purple Hand Africa, and works as the Communications Admin Officer for IGLYO Member Youth Work Ireland. Eppnoggia believes academia, media representation and storytelling are essential elements of advocacy.

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Any question? Email Eppnoggia!

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