This year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia (IDAHOBiT) celebrates the diversity within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ+) communities, from grassroots movements to regional and global networks, by honoring our varied and intersecting backgrounds, identities, and experiences. The 2025 theme highlights how strength and resilience grow through collective solidarity and open dialogue. It recognizes the transformative power of conversations bridging differences, fostering understanding, and building alliances. Through these dialogues, activists, human rights defenders, civil society groups, allies, and governments are shaping narratives and advancing equal rights.

“Motho ke motho ka batho!” or “A person is a person through other people!”

While many countries have seen policy reforms related to LGBTIQ+ people after lengthy court battles, the LGBTIQ+ community in Lesotho has a different experience and has taken a different approach, which has opened the doors to transformation.

At the heart of this story is the People’s Matrix Association, whose strategic, community-rooted advocacy has led to tangible policy reforms that have changed lives and set a powerful example for the region. At the core of this, they have been using dialogue as one of their core values and strategies to achieve legislative and social reform.

The power of collectiveness

The Basotho people’s innate emphasis on mutual respect, conversation, and shared humanity laid a strong foundation for meaningful engagement. With this understanding, the People’s Matrix Association focuses on building strong bridges with government officials, police, teachers, parents, and traditional leaders. Although not a walk in the park, activists have significantly succeeded in engaging with and encouraging policymakers to see LGBTIQ+ people as deserving of fundamental rights, such as dignity and equality and not as political pawns for popular votes.

The power of Pride

Despite facing pushbacks, stigma, and violence, the community remains steadfast. They organize, mobilize, and build alliances with broader human rights movements for deeper inclusion and intersectionality. For example, the IDAHOBiT and Pride celebrations play a crucial role in reaffirming LGBTIQ+ existence and further strengthening and inspiring unity. They enable Basotho LGBTIQ+ people to claim and occupy spaces.

The power of resilience as a catalyst for change

In 2024, the parliament of Lesotho amended the Labor Act 2024 to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and HIV status. This bold move solidified Lesotho as one of the few countries in Southern Africa to protect LGBTIQ+ people in the workplace, after South Africa and Botswana. And all this happened without a court ruling. This amendment means that LGBTIQ+ people and people living with HIV have legal recourse against hate and discrimination in the workplace. A giant step towards dignity, affirmation, and economic inclusion.

Rights under attack

Early this year, Lesotho came under attack by the Trump administration. On March 4, 2025, Trump made a claim about the People’s Matrix Association receiving $8 million to promote LGBTIQ+ rights, adding that “nobody has ever heard of Lesotho.” This intentionally inaccurate disinformation has surprised many. Yet, during this moment of hostility, we witness the power of communities rallying in solidarity and using this moment to refute harmful narratives and the need to protect Lesotho’s values, which are: “U se ke ua re ho moroa, moroa tooe!” and “Motho ke motho ka batho!”

But it does not end there, in recent months, Lesotho has witnessed a rise in attacks towards LGBTIQ+ identifying individuals, fueled by an increase in misinformation, disinformation, discrimination and online hate. These threats and violence have put the community on edge. External forces, such as false sentiments, further make LGBTIQ+ people targets of hate.

Despite these challenges, LGBTIQ+ communities in Lesotho continue to organize, speak out, and build alliances to defend human rights. Now more than ever, the power of communities theme is important and relevant in protecting the gains made in advancing equal rights in Lesotho.

Tampose Mothopeng is a transgender human rights defender, publisher, and executive director of the People’s Matrix Association that championing the rights of LGBTIQ+ people. Bradley Fortuin is a consultant at the Southern Africa Litigation Center and a social justice activist.

The Trump administration’s push to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives isn’t just bad policy—it’s bad for business. 

For decades, DEI programs have helped break down barriers, making workplaces more accessible and opening doors for disabled talent. Rolling them back isn’t just an attack on equity; it’s a blow to our economy, limiting innovation and shutting out a massive, untapped workforce.

When companies invest in inclusion, they don’t just do the right thing—they see real financial returns. A landmark Accenture study found that businesses prioritizing disability inclusion outperformed their competitors, saw “1.6 times more revenue, 2.6 times more net income and 2 times more economic profit than other companies.”     

Disability inclusion isn’t charity—it’s a competitive advantage. Gutting DEI won’t just hurt disabled professionals; it will cost businesses billions in lost talent, innovation, and market potential.

In the United States, 25% of the population has a disability. Yet, disabled individuals remain the most underemployed segment of the workforce. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023):

• Only 22.5% of people with disabilities were employed, compared to 65.8% of non-disabled individuals.
• The unemployment rate for disabled workers (7.2%) is more than double that of non-disabled workers (3.5%).

Before DEI became a corporate and policy priority, disabled individuals were often excluded from hiring pipelines due to misconceptions about our capabilities. Through targeted recruitment, universal design policies, and disability awareness training, DEI programs have helped break these barriers down. Rolling back these initiatives will make it even harder for disabled job seekers to compete on an already uneven playing field.

Hiring is just one part of the equation. Retention and advancement matter just as much.

Workplaces that prioritize inclusion are more likely to invest in accessible infrastructure, flexible work arrangements, and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that empower disabled workers to thrive. Without this support, many of us are left struggling in environments that were never designed with our needs in mind—leading to higher turnover rates and fewer leadership opportunities.

Furthermore, DEI initiatives have played a critical role in shifting corporate attitudes toward disability. They have challenged long-standing stigmas and fostered a culture where disabled individuals are seen not as liabilities but as assets—with unique perspectives, relentless problem-solving skills, and the entrepreneurial mindset that comes from navigating obstacles daily. These attributes aren’t just beneficial—they are business advantages.

Let’s talk about merit. Some claim that DEI undermines meritocracy. But here’s the reality: Disabled professionals are some of the most resourceful, innovative, and resilient entrepreneurs out there—because we’ve had to be.

At 2Gether-International (2GI), a D.C.-based impact accelerator that supports entrepreneurs with disabilities, we support hundreds of disabled entrepreneurs who are building companies, creating jobs, and driving economic growth. Yet, these same founders struggle to access capital due to outdated policies and systemic bias. Instead of cutting DEI, we should be doubling down on investments in disabled entrepreneurship—because when we succeed, the entire economy benefits.

Our success is proof of the power of corporate DEI efforts. Thanks to these initiatives, 2GI has supported more than 700 startups, helping them secure more than $70 million in funding  from investment, revenue and acquisitions from outside investors.

Take, for example, Erica Cole, founder of No Limbits, a company that creates adaptive clothing for amputees. Following her participating in 2Gether-International’s accelerator program for start-up founders with disabilities, Erica has been able to scale her business including by acquiring the adaptive apparel company Buck & Buck and complete a $3 million series A funding round, proving that disability-led businesses can thrive when given the right resources.

Another success story is Ruby Taylor, founder of Financial Joy School, who has leveraged DEI-backed funding and mentorship to empower disabled individuals and communities of color in financial literacy. 

These are just two examples of how DEI isn’t about handouts—it’s about breaking down barriers so that talent, innovation, and hard work can thrive.

Critics argue that DEI programs create an uneven playing field. The reality? Inclusive workplaces are more innovative, adaptable, and profitable.

A diverse workforce that includes disabled individuals fosters creativity, problem-solving, and resilience. Companies that prioritize disability inclusion outperform their competitors because they reflect a broader customer base and attract top talent. Without DEI, businesses risk losing these advantages, regressing into outdated hiring practices, and reinforcing workplace discrimination.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion aren’t just “nice to have” policies—they are essential to a thriving, innovative, and competitive economy. Cutting DEI won’t just set back disabled workers; it will hurt businesses, limit economic growth, and stall progress.

So here’s the challenge:

• Business leaders: Step up. Prioritize inclusion—not because it’s politically correct, but because it’s profitable.
• Policymakers: Recognize that DEI is an economic issue, not just a social one. Gutting these programs will cost jobs, innovation, and economic growth.
• Investors: Back disabled entrepreneurs. The next wave of business leaders will come from the disability community—if we give them the resources to succeed.

It’s time to stop seeing disability as a deficit and start seeing it for what it is: an asset to our economy, our businesses, and our future.

Diego Mariscal is founder and CEO of 2Gether-International and a member of the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee.

Two award-winning filmmakers produced the documentary film “I Am.” It’s about my Hero’s Journey to overcome a trauma involving anti-LGBT bias. It also features the significant role that the popular comedian Stephen Colbert is playing in this 92,000-mile ongoing mission. A powerfully crafted and impactful film released just in time to celebrate Pride month.

The Arizona filmmakers Ethan and Aidan Sinconis are high school twin brothers. These strong LGBT allies were awarded the best student film in the U.S. in 2024, beating out more than 2,000 entries. The guys then followed up that major accomplishment by using their artistic talent to take on this bold, new film project telling my story to the world.

I shared my adventure with Blade readers back in late 2023 after I experienced a brutal rape and beating at the hands of three men who entered my Phoenix home. I sustained significant injuries.

It was determined that anti-LGBT bias was involved in the police response. I made a chilling 911 call for help. The dispatcher listened helplessly as I was being attacked during that phone call. The three men were surrounding me in the bloody crime scene when the four officers arrived. Three smoking guns. No arrests were made.

History has shown that LGBT folks can’t always rely on the criminal justice system to be there for us. But we can still find peace, happiness, love, and success. The film addresses how I’ve been doing that by continuing on this exhilarating and riveting journey that’s now taken me across the U.S. and Mexico in pursuit of my goal for 3,473 consecutive days and counting.

The film explains the connection to “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” A fortuitous moment of laughter from that TV comedy show stopped me from dying by suicide at 10:44 p.m. on Nov. 2, 2015. That was the call to action I answered.

That spark sent me heading out on an adventure. To learn how to re-engage and trust people again after badly isolating. To learn how to process the anti-LGBT bias and trauma, and to get written support from total strangers in my dedicated mission to become a guest on “The Late Show” at 53rd and Broadway in NYC. 

But this documentary is far more than a story about me and my efforts to escape the abyss, despair, and depression that had cloaked me in darkness for so long. This is also a story of 34,291 complete strangers from all walks of life coming together one at a time to help a guy in trouble.

The documentary has elements of the classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” in it. Especially the memorable part where Uncle Billy tells George Bailey, “Mary did it, George. Mary did it. She told a few people you were in trouble, and they scattered all over town collecting money. They didn’t ask any questions. Just said if George is in trouble. Count on me.”

That’s what these 34,291 Good Samaritans did for me as I scattered all over the country meeting them. They didn’t ask any questions. They heard I was in trouble and trying to recover from the trauma and get to a goal. They each let me know through their kindness, hugs, and written words that I could count on them.

Perhaps what I like the most about the film is how Ethan and Aidan laid the foundation for who “I Am.” They show that I Am a brother, colleague, son, spouse, survivor, nephew, neighbor, grandson, uncle, friend, and cousin. I Am plenty more than just a gay man. I Am Blake.

Back in the summer of 2020, Pope Francis mailed a personal letter to me and expressed his gratitude for sharing my story with him. Gosh how I wish he was alive to see this completed film. It would have made his heart full. He was all about what this documentary represents. It’s not about revenge, anger, hatred, or sadness. It’s about acceptance, unity, love, empathy, compassion, and forgiveness.

It’s understandable for us in the LGBT community to want to respond with anger in situations like this. Our community has been through centuries of harassment, bullying, discrimination, and bias. But I’ve realized it’s more productive and healing to move past the anger. To use our energy to inform, entertain, and inspire individuals.

That’s what this documentary is about. A beautiful message of hope, support, and optimism for Pride month and beyond. A stand up and cheer film proudly coming out of our resilient community. Fingers crossed for an Academy Award nomination for “I Am.” Much deserved for a film very well done by Ethan and Aidan.

The documentary “I Am” can be found at SinconisStudios.com or on YouTube.

Ron Blake lives in Phoenix and can be reached at [email protected] or @BlakeLateShow on Instagram.