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.
The Executive Board is the elected leadership of IGLYO. Board Members are nominated by Member Organisations and mandated for a term of three years by the Members’ General Assembly to oversee the governance and strategy of the organisation. Board Members are between the ages of 18-30 at the time of election — that’s what we mean by being youth-led!
Aida is a feminist-activist with seven years of experience in non-profit. She is currently advocating LBQ womxn’s* rights using grassroots community-based approaches focused on gender mainstreaming, art-activism, well-being, and self-care. She is a team member of the Armenian LBQ womxn’s* organisation Queer Sista Platform, and a co-founder of the young womxn’s* feminist initiative Girls Talk.
Aida believes in the power of a feminist approach in tackling discrimination and gender-based violence. She is also a photography lover, a sketchbooks collector, and owns her own podcast “Loqsh” (from Armenian: “boredom”) on daily, seemingly meaningless life events and feelings.
Any questions? Email Aida!
Miha has been actively involved for years with local LGBTQI communities, mainly working on projects that are based on cultural and artistic expressions, health and advocacy, and community awareness. The main focus of his work is on culture, advocacy, and projects that help and enhance building safe and open community spaces for LGBTQI people.
Miha's experiences are diverse due to his involvement with other NGO working in advocacy, as well as with cultural programmes which focus on creating different cultural platforms and projects for the wider community. Miha strongly believes that this is one of the most important pillars of creating a new and empowering society.
Any question? Email Miha!
João is a Portuguese activist from Porto. João started doing non-profit youth work in 2014, working in core projects and events, and over time moving towards an HR leadership role at an international student association. In IGLYO, João is part of the membership engagement working group, and mainly contributes to HR-related board tasks.
In addition to IGLYO, João is a Board Member of rede ex aequo, a Portuguese LGBTI youth org, and is responsible for the educational project and local LGBTQ chapters. João also oversees the development of the two ultraperipheral regions of Madeira and Açores, along doing institutional rep. work.
Any question? Email João !
Spyros is a queer social scientist with a great passion for human rights. His work centres on gender and sexuality, displaced populations, childhood and youth, and education. He previously worked for Colour Youth – Athens LGBTQ Youth Community as a Project Manager, focusing on safe inclusive school environments as well as the access of LGBTQI+ people in Greek public services and health services. He has also worked with refugees, coordinating and delivering soft skills trainings, and currently works in the field of DEI. In his free time, Spyros loves reading books and studying academic theory.
Any questions? Email Spyros!
Ophélie is a French activist based in Brussels. She identifies as pansexual and was nominated by the French organisation Bi’cause. She works as a project coordinator to promote active political participation in Europe and beyond, and is involved in various networks promoting democracy values and civic engagement, including the participation of youth in politics. She is also an active volunteer at GRiS (Groupe d'Intervention Scolaire), where she gives LGBTQI+ rights workshops based on personal testimony in schools across Belgium.
As she grew up in the countryside, Ophélie wishes to bring more visibility to the youth LGBTQI+ community in rural areas, and in general she aims at creating stronger connections between the community and other overarching topics such as youth rights, citizenship and the rule of law.
Any questions? Email Ophélie!
Ósk is an Icelandic activist, peer educator, feminist and event facilitator. She has been at the forefront of several major NGOs in Iceland, and specialises as an international networking officer. Since her teen years, she has been an active volunteer in Icelandic society and organised various campaigns, protests, and fundraisers for students, queer youth, and asylum seekers.
Ósk identifies as a pansexual cis woman and is the President of the Queer Icelandic Student Association. Ósk’s favorite pastimes are working out, reading, embroidering, swimming, and dismantling the patriarchy.
Any questions? Email Ósk!
Ralu Baciu is a non-binary transmasculine activist from Romania. He has been an LGBTQ+ activist for five years, focusing on the trans, neurodivergent, and disability rights movement and community organising: from creating safe spaces for queer neurodivergent people and guiding trans people in their transition, to advocating and campaigning for trans and neurodivergent rights and identities.
Ralu is very passionate about trans rights and disability rights, and believes that true equality and liberation can only be accomplished through intersectionality. Besides their activism, Ralu is an English teacher and loves writing poems in his free time.
Any questions? Email Ralu!
Yassine is not your average nerd-electrical engineering student. Alongside their technical skills by tinkering with circuits and cables, they have a burning passion for social activism. As a racial justice advisor, period equity activist, and an LGBTQIA+ advocate — with some sense of humour, quirkiness, unwavering dedication, and a lot of organisational/social skills — they are deeply committed to promoting equity and inclusion for all.
Whether by organising events, provoking spicy uncomfortable talks, or creating campaigns, Yassine is always looking for ways to make a positive impact in Cyprus where they are based, or elsewhere.
Any questions? Email Yassine!
The Secretariat is responsible for implementing the work plan of the organisation on a daily basis. Our Brussels-based office gathers 10 international employees with various backgrounds and a steady dedication to the worldwide safeguarding and advancement of LGBTQI youth rights.
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!
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 pilot phase of 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.
Outside of work, Jeremy indulges in creative writing, loves his cats Robert and Odile, and is a big-time video games player.
Any questions? Email Jeremy!
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.
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.
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.
Any questions? Email Toryn!
Lucille came in as admin assistant in March 2021, and quickly started managing the finances and operations. She is responsible for overseeing the finances, the office and supporting the director in HR, legal compliance and organisational development.
When not at work, Lucille loves cycling, climbing, surfing, building projects, she is fund of animals and very much into cooking and eating.
Any questions? Email Lucille!
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.
Any question? Email Maruschka!
Rú started their journey with IGLYO in 2016, right after finishing their PhD in Critical Social Studies. They've expanded our advocacy work in areas such as education, health, or safety. Currently, Rú leads IGLYO’s policy and research work and is in charge of our advocacy work towards the EU institutions, the Council of Europe, and other international orgs – with our partners and Members.
Rú began their activism in 2001 at Spanish LGBTQI NGOs Sin Vergüenza and Stop Sida. Since then, they've been navigating queer spaces, by volunteering, working, dancing, performing, marching, laughing, hugging, or serving you at bars.
Any questions? Email Rú!
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.
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.
Any questions? Email Ahmed!
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.
Outside of work, you can usually find Amélie outdoors, either hiking, climbing, swimming or running, or attending events and navigating queer and feminist spaces.
Any questions? Email Amélie!
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.
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.
Any questions? Email Viola!
Ali is a queer transfeminist activist and political scientist based in Brussels. They started their journey with IGLYO after finishing a Master in Transnational Queer Feminist Politics in London, and after 4 years working with international NGOs in the Middle East and West Africa. They designed, coordinated and delivered development/humanitarian programmes focusing on LGBTQI+ asylum seekers, refugees and migrants.
Ali is passionate about human rights, decoloniality, intersectionality, mental health and working-class issues. In their free time, they love studying queer theory and queer futurity, navigating queer spaces, being in nature and, last but not least, dismantling the patriarchy.
Any questions? Email Ali!
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.
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!
Any questions? Email Merv (just kidding, he's a dog)!
The Governance Team is our valuable advisory body. Selected by the Executive Board and ratified by the Membership, they support the Board and the Secretariat on specific issues such as governance, finances, and the General Assembly.
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.
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!
Any questions? Email Karo!
Jasna is a long-time LGBT+ activist and social researcher with specialism in gender-based violence and LGBT+ rights. She spends most of her professional time talking to people and writing about people. Jasna is one of the co-founders of Slovene-based LGBT+ NGO Legebitra, was a co-chair of the IGLYO Board (2003-2005), and a Board Member of ILGA-Europe (2013-2015).
Growing up, Jasna wanted to be a marine biologist or palaeontologist. She believes great white sharks are the most fascinating of all animals, and dinosaurs should have never gone extinct.
Any questions? Email Jasna!
Formally established in 2022, the Anti-Racism Task Force (ARTF) is one of our paid advisory bodies. The ARTF meets online three to four times a year to deliver a series of recommendations to help us combat racism and xenophobia, and ensure IGLYO is committed to the specific needs and lived experiences of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPoC) and racialised LGBTQI young people and students in Europe.
Purity is a trans woman and trans rights activist, social scientist, model, and actress. She is the co-founder of the Refugee Trans Initiative in Kenya, and a co-founding member of Rainbow Refugees Sweden. Passionate about advocating for BIPOC trans immigrants in Europe, she also leads a BIPOC trans support group in Sweden. “We deserve better and I believe that it’s a beautiful world if we win together”, says Purity.
Chougher Maria was born and raised in Aleppo, Syria. She is currently the president of Voices of Young Refugees in Europe (VYRE) and the Migrant and Ethnic Minorities Officer at the Rainbow Project Northern Ireland. She has extensive experience as a youth worker and is a member of the Advisory Council on Youth of the Council of Europe. 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.
Chougher Maria 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.
Doug is an accomplished activist, speaker, and researcher on LGBTQI+ and human rights issues. As a human geographer, Doug is skilled at providing critical analyses of sociopolitical phenomena through an intersectional feminist and decolonial lens. They have experience working with multilateral and international organisations such as IGLYO, ILGA World, and the Equal Rights Coalition, in addition to local and community groups in Europe, North and South America.
Through their work and actions, Doug advocates for the undoing of harmful and unjust systems of power that work to marginalise, disenfranchise, and dehumanise individuals and communities across the world, reimagining futures of hope and mutual care.
The Advisory Panel for International Collaboration (APIC) is an upcoming paid internal working group of 4 LGBTQI young people. They will ensure that young people are leading the direction of IGLYO's international activities such as our International Conferences and Study Sessions.
Darius completed her master’s degree in Human Rights at University College London. After graduation, Darius joined Diversity Role Models, a UK-based LGBTQ+ anti-bullying charity. As their Education Officer, she has delivered inclusion workshops to thousands of young people and staff members in London schools and hundreds of professionals in other settings. Currently, they are also a Junior Consultant on Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics at ILGA World, and a Research Volunteer at LGBT Foundation.
Darius has also worked as an access worker to learning disabled and/or autistic adults for four years.
Any questions? Connect with Darius on LinkedIn!
Kerem is a final-year psychology student with a background in mental health and human rights advocacy, policy consultancy and training sessions on social impact. In his university, he was a bridge between queer solidarity and the psychology society he chaired for a mandate. One of his favourite projects was creating a digital photography collection themed "queer expression", which he defines as "not only a poetry of love and pride but also a story of pain left behind."
Besides his passion for activism, he's also into writing, cinema and music. Basically, everything that makes the world a bit better!
Any questions? Email Kerem!
Tavares is a Portuguese activist currently pursuing a master's degree in international studies, with a specific focus on trans rights in Malta. They bring extensive experience as a trainer and facilitator, having worked with various organisations, dedicated to promoting the inclusion of LGBTI young people and fostering youth participation in decision-making processes.
Tavares is also a member of Brave Movement's youth Cohort, dedicated to ending child sexual violence.Their journey in activism began as a volunteer and later evolved into roles as a board member and President of "rede ex aequo," a Portuguese LGBTI youth organisation. During their tenure, they organised training sessions, events, and facilitated intercultural exchanges.They have a hidden secret talent, juggling!
Any questions? Email Tavares!
Jens is a trainee at the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture & Sciences, and a happy activist. They work hard to ensure that we always take an intersectional approach to making the world better, and that everyone gets the space to share their perspectives and experiences, and they try to hold the metaphorical door open for all.
Jens is always happy to help others find their way, or claim their rights. They want you to know you're always welcome to reach out to them!
Any questions? Email Jens!
