Human Rights First and Open Society Foundations to Host U.S. Film Premiere of “Getting Out”

Human Rights First and the Open Society Foundations host the U.S. premiere of the documentary Getting Out, which highlights the struggle of LGBTI individuals facing homophobia in East Africa. This event comes in the wake of renewed international attention following the January 2011 murder of Ugandan gay activist David Kato.

Location: E Street Cinema, 555 11th Street NW, Washington, DC

Event Date: April 6, 2011 Event Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Speakers: Chris Dolan, Elisa Massimino, Michael Heflin Space is limited. Please RSVP to Giselle Kasim at gkasim@osi-dc.org to ensure a seat.   Opening Remarks

• Michael Heflin, Project Director, LGBTI Rights Initiative, Open Society Foundations

Post-Film Panel Discussion

• Elisa Massimino, President and CEO, Human Rights First
• Chris Dolan, Director, Refugee Law Project
• A refugee from West Africa granted asylum in the United States because of persecution related to his sexual orientation

About the Film

Getting Out explores the reality that for many LGBTI Africans coming out to family and friends at home is not even an option. Before they can come out, they first have to get out. This means not only finding means to escape the political forces promoting homophobia at home, but also dealing with the hypocrisies and failings of asylum systems around the world. Filmed in Uganda, South Africa, Geneva, and London, with supporting footage from Malawi and Zimbabwe, Getting Out depicts the true stories of five individuals navigating their way through this complex issue. The 60-minute documentary was produced by the Refugee Law Project in collaboration with the Ugandan Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights & Constitutional Law.