Hi, I’m Nathaly Calixto. A lawyer, advocate, and strategist working at the intersection of racial justice, gender equity, and international human rights.
I hold a law degree from the Federal Fluminense University (UFF), a Master’s in Political Science and International Relations from NOVA University Lisbon, and a certificate in International Human Rights from the Washington College of Law at American University. I also hold specialized training in International Politics and Migration.
With over a decade of experience across Brazil, Sri Lanka, Portugal, and the United States, my work has consistently focused on amplifying the voices of those historically excluded from policy making; Afro-descendants, women, Indigenous peoples, LGBTI individuals, and migrants. Whether managing multimillion-dollar grant portfolios, organizing high-level delegations to the UN, OAS, and U.S. Congress, or shaping policy agendas, my goal remains the same: to dismantle systemic barriers and make decision-making spaces more inclusive and equitable.
A significant part of my recent work addresses the racialized and intersectional impacts of securitization. In the Americas, national security policies often criminalize Black and LGBTI bodies, transforming social and political issues, such as immigration, into security threats. These narratives fuel violent public policies, exacerbate political and police violence, and restrict access to health and justice systems. I work to expose and challenge these dynamics, building frameworks rooted in rights, dignity, and collective memory.
I believe democracy must not be based on privilege, but on the participation and protection of all people. I also believe in the transformative power of culture, to give voice, reveal truth, and restore belonging; particularly for communities erased from dominant narratives.
Through this space, I hope to share reflections, analysis, and stories shaped by my lived experiences and the communities I work with. I’ll be publishing articles on international politics, human rights, and the intersections of race, gender, and power — always with a focus on amplifying voices from the Global Majority. By this, I mean Black, Brown, Indigenous, and other communities of color from African, Asian, Arab, Indigenous, and Latin American backgrounds — who make up the vast majority of the world’s population, yet continue to be excluded from systems of privilege and influence. I hope these writings can spark dialogue, raise critical questions, and contribute to building more equitable and inclusive societies. I invite you to follow along, engage critically, and join me in imagining more just and inclusive futures.