named programs · 1 · from sources
What they call their work
Radio Program Series
Biweekly radio episodes produced in collaboration with partner organizations in Iraq that discuss health, psychological challenges, and rights of LGBT+ individuals in the country, broadcast in Arabic and Kurdish.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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LGBTQ+ Legal and Policy Advocacy 5 activities
- Advocacy for LGBT+ rights in Iraq through international mechanismsProduces and submits shadow reports and submissions to international human rights bodies including the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) to advocate for policy changes protecting LGBT+ rights in Iraq. Submissions date back to 2015, with recent reports submitted in 2019 and 2024.
- Development and distribution of safety, legal, and health guides for LGBT+ IraqisCreates and disseminates practical resources including a Safety and Security Guide, a legal guide detailing Iraqi laws affecting LGBT+ citizens, a sexual health guide, and a security guide updated after the passage of anti-LGBT+ legislation. These materials provide actionable strategies for personal safety, legal awareness, and health education.
- Diplomatic engagement and regional advocacy leadershipConducts regular diplomatic meetings with embassies, international missions, and policy delegations to advance LGBT+ rights in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Co-leads regional summits such as the Qawsuna Summit and participates in the Arc Summit to convene stakeholders and policymakers on urgent regional challenges facing LGBT+ communities.
- Legal advocacy and collaboration on international legal challengesPartners with Reed Smith LLP (and Reed Smith law firm) to explore international legal avenues to challenge Iraq’s anti-LGBT+ legislation, including assessing potential measures under international law.
- Production and dissemination of research reports on LGBT+ rights in IraqConducts and publishes original research on systemic violence, legal discrimination, and media narratives affecting LGBT+ individuals in Iraq. Key publications include "CRIMINALIZED EXISTENCE," a baseline study on LGBT+ rights, reports on anti-LGBT+ legislation, media's role in violence, and co-published studies with Human Rights Watch and OutRight Action International documenting abuses and lived realities of LBT+ women.
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Mentorship and Professional Development Programs 1 activity
- Mentorship and capacity building for emerging LGBT+ activistsImplements a mentorship program that trains emerging activists in leadership, advocacy, and security. In 2024, five mentees were trained and led community workshops. The program includes intensive training sessions and supports regional knowledge exchange with NGOs in Egypt, Lebanon, and other countries operating in hostile environments.
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LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency & Community Education 1 activity
- Production and distribution of educational and media content for LGBT+ visibilityProduces and publishes blogs, radio episodes (in Arabic with Kurdish and English transcripts), animated videos, and social media campaigns to combat stereotypes, increase visibility, and educate the public about LGBT+ identities and experiences in Iraq. Content is available in Arabic, Kurdish, and English to maximize accessibility.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$167K
Contributions & grants$167K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$191K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$5K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$5K
4 years on record · 2022–2025 · YoY revenue +88.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 3
- Ameer Ashour — Board Member
- Dea Ali — Board Member
- Qusay Razzaq — Board Member
relationships · 19
Who they work with
- Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Government — Submits shadow reports to the CEDAW Committee regarding Iraq's compliance with women's rights standards, including as they affect LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Facebook Partner — Uses Facebook as a platform for outreach and dissemination of content.
- Human Rights Watch Partner — Collaborated on a report documenting systemic violence against LGBTQ+ Iraqis.
- ILGA Asia Network — IRAQUEER INC is a proud member of ILGA Asia, a regional network committed to advancing the rights and inclusion of LGBTIQ+ communities across Asia.
- ILGA Asia Network — Member of ILGA Asia, a regional network promoting LGBT+ rights across Asia, to expand advocacy reach and connect with like-minded organizations.
- Instagram Partner — Shares media and outreach content related to LGBT+ advocacy in Iraq through Instagram.
- NGOs in Egypt Partner — Collaborates to share knowledge and strategies for resilience, activism, and safety planning in hostile environments.
- NGOs in Egypt Partner — Collaborates with NGOs in Egypt to exchange knowledge and strategies for LGBTQ+ advocacy in conservative environments.
- NGOs in Lebanon Partner — Collaborates to exchange best practices for activism, advocacy, and safety planning in hostile environments.
- NGOs in Lebanon Partner — Collaborates with NGOs in Lebanon to exchange knowledge and strategies for LGBTQ+ advocacy in conservative environments.
- OutRight Action International Partner — Partnered on a report exploring the lived realities of LBT+ women in Iraq.
- Reed Smith Partner — Collaborates with Reed Smith law firm to explore international legal measures against Iraq’s anti-LGBT+ law.
- Reed Smith LLP Partner — Collaborates with Reed Smith LLP to explore international legal measures against Iraq's anti-LGBTIQ+ law.
- Twitter Partner — Engages audiences and shares updates about LGBT+ rights in Iraq via Twitter.
- United Nations Human Rights Council Government — Engages with the Universal Periodic Review process of the UN Human Rights Council through shadow reports.
- YouTube Partner — Utilizes YouTube for sharing videos related to LGBT+ issues in Iraq.
- one of our partner organizations in Iraq Partner — Collaborates with IraQueer to produce biweekly radio episodes on LGBT+ issues in Iraq.
- one of our partner organizations in Iraq Partner — Collaborates with a partner organization in Iraq to produce radio episodes about LGBT+ experiences.
- إحدى المنظمات الشريكة لنا في العراق Partner — Collaborates with a partner organization in Iraq to produce radio programs discussing LGBTQ+ experiences in the country.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- International Alliance Amplificationmethodology: international_alliance_buildingBy building strategic partnerships with global human rights bodies and advocacy networks, IRAQUEER INC amplifies local advocacy efforts, because international pressure and diplomatic engagement increase the political cost of repression in Iraq.
- Media-Driven Narrative Changemethodology: media_based_narrative_changeBy producing and strategically disseminating media content — including animated videos, radio programs, and social media campaigns — IRAQUEER INC reshapes public understanding of LGBT+ lives in Iraq, because accessible, culturally relevant storytelling disrupts stigma and builds empathy where facts alone fail.
- Multi-Modal Advocacy with Shadow Reportingmethodology: shadow_reportingBy combining direct services, research, and shadow reporting to international human rights mechanisms, IRAQUEER INC pressures global institutions to hold Iraq accountable, because documented violations gain greater legitimacy and traction in international policy forums.
- Resource-Based Empowerment for Safety and Survivalmethodology: resource_based_empowermentBy providing actionable resources like the Safety and Security Guide, IRAQUEER INC increases individual capacity to survive in hostile environments, because practical, context-specific tools enable risk mitigation and self-determination in the absence of state protection.