Diversity in Adversity: Rhadem Musawah, the Philippines
Channel: UN Human Rights
Date: 2022-04-20

Episode 3. People who work to end violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) face multiple forms of risk. They can be targeted for their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, and for being human rights defenders as well. 

Rhadem Musawah is a documentary filmmaker and human rights activist from Mindanao, Philippines. He is of indigenous descent and part of an ethnic minority within his region. Rhadem has participated in the organization of diversity themed film festivals and the first Mindanao Pride. His work centres on bringing together Muslim and LGBT communities and encouraging understanding, tolerance and peace. He has been the target of hatred, verbal harassment and death threats disseminated on social media on account of his advocacy as a gay Muslim claiming that his religion is inclusive and affirmative of his sexuality.

Diversity in Adversity is a joint campaign by Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, and Victor Madrigal-Borloz, UN Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity. It will feature interviews with 10 SOGI rights defenders from all over the world; ordinary people engaged in extraordinary work. 

For more on this campaign, visit: https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/ie-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity/diversity-adversity-stories-sogi-rights-defenders 

Credits Interviewee: Rhadem Musawah Post-production: Amina Muniz & Virginia Pitzer Motion Design: Raquel Pinheiro Campaign coordination: Alexandre Leal & Fiachra Bourke The views expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect the views of the mandate holders or the United Nations.