Diverse Voices and Action for Equality started in 2011 to formalize a growing grassroots LBTI peer support group in Suva, Fiji.
Diverse Voices and Action for Equality started in 2011 to formalize a growing grassroots LBTI peer support group in Suva, Fiji. DIVA has since grown to become a feminist Fiji national collective and network of high need and marginalised lesbians, bisexual women, trans masculine and gender nonconforming and intersex women and people working from local to global, on issues of human rights and social justice, including gender and sexual, social, economic and ecological justice. We prioritise work in Fiji and Pacific small island states. DIVA for Equality works from a strong south feminist intersectional and interlinkage analysis – identifying and advocating on lived realities of LBTI women and people, both as a collective and community, and through joint work with other feminists, wider women-led groups and community groups, civil society groups and social movements, and Pacific governments as able – toward recognition, protection and advancement of sexual rights, human rights, gender justice and social, economic, ecological and climate justice. DIVA for Equality provides practical urgent action and support to lesbian, bisexual women and transgender masculine and gender nonconforming women and people. We strengthen, create and facilitate safe spaces to organise, articulate constituency positions, build stronger community led hubs and networks, and increase levels of constructive collaboration in wider civil society and social movements. We struggle for realisation of universal human rights, access to justice and liberation, and resist all marginalisation, discrimination and violence.
Founded in 2013, it is the first openly lesbian group in the southern Andean region of Peru, where there are high levels of institutional violence and hate for LGBT people, and where extreme religious fundamentalism halts all power to make decisions.
Movimiento Lesbia is a young lesbian organization based in the city of Arequipa, Peru. Founded in 2013, it is the first openly lesbian group in the southern Andean region of Peru, where there are high levels of institutional violence and hate for LGBT people, and where extreme religious fundamentalism halts all power to make decisions. Many of the members are under 30 years old and come from areas of the city that are very marginalized. Its mission is to end discrimination and violence against LGBT communities, in particular violence against lesbian and bisexual women. *** Movimiento Lesbia es una joven organización lésbica con base en la ciudad de Arequipa, Perú. Fundado en 2013, es el primer grupo abiertamente lésbico en la región sureña andina de Perú, donde hay altos niveles de violencia institucional y de odio hacia las personas LGBT, y donde un fundamentalismo religioso extremo acapara todo el poder para tomar decisiones. Muchas de las personas miembro tienen menos de 30 años y provienen de áreas de la ciudad súmamente marginalizadas. Su misión es acabar con la discriminación y la violencia hacia las comunidades LGBT, en particular la violencia contra las mujeres lesbianas y bisexuales.
Aleanca (Alliance Against Discrimination of LGBT people) formed in 2009 as a voluntary youth organization working to create a free, open and equal Albanian society that embraces diversity.
Aleanca (Alliance Against Discrimination of LGBT people) formed in 2009 as a voluntary youth organization working to create a free, open and equal Albanian society that embraces diversity. Pro-LGBT formed in 2010 to promote and advocate for the advancement of LGBT rights in Albania. The two organizations work frequently and closely together, Aleanca working to build a strong base of LGBTQ people and activists, and Pro-LGBT serving as a watchdog and ‘public relations’ branch of the LGBT movement in Albania. Both organizations worked together to pass a national anti-discrimination law in 2010 and subsequent establishment of the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination as the institution responsible for ensuring effective implementation of the law. Jointly they also formed “STREHA,” the first residential center in Albania that supports homeless LGBTQ youth 18-25 years old. STREHA also offers other services, life skills courses, and other leadership opportunities. Both organizations are actively involved in advocacy for inclusive laws and policies. Jointly they also formed “STREHA,” the first residential center in Albania that supports homeless LGBTQ youth 18-25 years old. STREHA also offers other services, life skills courses and other leadership opportunities.
“Streha” shelter is the first non-public residential center in Southern Eastern Europe, which helps the LGBTI community in emergency of housing and accommodation. It started as a pilot project of Alliance against LGBT Discrimination in collaboration with United ProLGBT Cause organizations since opening its door in December 2014.
Since November 2015 “Streha” is active as an independent NGO. This shelter is a concrete transition service for all LGBTI young people from age 18 to 25 that face violence and discrimination from family and/or local community (usually at the stage of coming out) making their life impossible to live. Cases under 18 years old and over 25 years old are subject of consideration of a case by case basis based on the assessment of the professional staff at the Shelter.
Streha provides services of reintegration to at risk homeless LGBT through 8 staff members, in total 24 hours, 7 days a week. “Streha” shelter has a capacity of eight beds and aims to be a service and assistance to at risk homeless LGBTI youth at national level.
A multidisciplinary team of the “Streha” shelter makes the initial assessment of each case, case by case and accepts the requirement for housing in the “Streha” shelter based on a clear protocol and very rigorous, designed in accordance with national standards with the assistance of USAID and Assist Impact, of the existing shelters in Albania and especially with the assistance of the shelters network of “Albert Kennedy Trust” in Great Britain that works since 1989.
Streha has professional staff to serve the LGBTI Community beyond Albania based on case management treated so far.
OTD works for the human rights of trans people (transgender, transsexuals, transvestites and intersex) through different political and cultural interventions.
OTD works for the human rights of trans people (transgender, transsexuals, transvestites and intersex) through different political and cultural interventions. OTD fights for education, jobs, economic justice, access to decent and respectful public health care policies that value self-determined gender identities. OTD seeks recognition of the right of everyone to gender identity and to reduce discrimination and violence against transgender people in Chile. OTD is currently fighting for a law on gender identity that is inclusive for all trans people, including youth. (Photo credit: OTD at Pride March 2016. Armando Escoffier.)
*** En Español***
La Asociación OTD trabaja por los derechos humanos de las personas trans (transgénero, transexuales, travestis e intersexuales) a través de diferentes intervenciones políticas y culturales. La Asociación OTD lucha por la educación, trabajos, la justicia económica, el acceso a una atención médica digna y políticas públicas respetuosas que eleven la identidad de género de lxs miembros de la comunidad. Busca lograr el reconocimiento del derecho de cada quien a la identidad de género y reducir la discriminación y la violencia contra las personas trans en Chile, y actualmente se encuentra luchando por una ley de identidad de género que sea inclusiva para todas las personas trans, incluyendo la juventud.
(Crédito: OTD en marcha PRIDE 2016. Armando Escoffier.)
Founded in 2011 in Budapest, Hungary, Radical Queer Affinity Collective (RQAC) is a transnational queer and trans feminist collective committed to building a network of activists in Hungary.
Founded in 2011 in Budapest, Hungary, Radical Queer Affinity Collective (RQAC) is a transnational queer and trans feminist collective committed to building a network of young queer and trans activists in Hungary and the Central and Eastern European region. They center the experiences and voices of queer and trans youth, sex workers and migrants. Through direct action, cultural activism and capacity-building, they tackle and challenge homonormativity and transphobia. An early achievement was their creation of a community space called “KLIT” in Budapest. The first of its kind, the space provided a safe platform for queer and trans youth to convene and organize discussion groups, workshops, trainings, and cultural and political events, changing the landscape for queer youth activism in Central and Eastern Europe. When in late 2014 they had to close their community space due to lack of resources, gentrification and harassment, RQAC transitioned into using alternative platforms of communication and engagement to continue their movement-building efforts. RQAC is grounded in nurturing collective and self-care as key strategies to building autonomous and safe communities.
Caribe Afirmativo’s community has one of the highest levels of inequality, violence and lack of opportunities for its inhabitants, including violence and discrimination against LGBT communities.
Caribe Afirmativo, founded in 2009, is an LGBT organization working in the Caribbean region of Colombia, with offices in Cartagena and Santa Marta. Caribe Afirmativo’s community has one of the highest levels of inequality, violence and lack of opportunities for its inhabitants, including violence and discrimination against LGBT communities. Caribe Afirmativo documents and monitors human rights violations of LGBT people and provides support to individuals who file complaints to demand justice at the local, regional and international levels. They conduct research on lesbophobia, homophobia and transphobia and has produced work on race and racism in the Caribbean. They also work to insert the voices of LGBT communities in post-conflict processes. Finally, they use art and activism as strategies to raise visibility and create participatory spaces for community development, including supporting the popular theatrical group led by transgender women in Cartagena. *** En Español*** Caribe Afirmativo, fundada en 2009, es una organización LGBT que trabaja en la región caribeña de Colombia, con oficinas en Cartagena y Santa Marta. El Caribe colombiano tiene uno de los niveles más altos de desigualdad, violencia y falta de oportunidades para sus habitantes, incluyendo la violencia y la discriminación contra las comunidades LGBT. Caribe Afirmativo documenta y monitorea rigurosamente las violaciones de derechos humanos de las personas LGBT y ofrece acompañamiento a personas que someten quejas para exigir justicia a nivel local, regional e internacional. Realiza investigaciones sobre la lesbofobia, la homofobia y la transfobia y ha producido trabajo sobre la raza y el racismo en el Caribe. También trabaja para insertar las voces de las comunidades LGBT en procesos posteriores a conflictos. Por último, usa el arte y el activismo como estrategias para elevar la visibilidad y crear espacios participativos para el desarrollo comunitario, incluyendo apoyar al grupo teatral popular liderado por mujeres trans “Transformando” en Cartagena.
Founded in 2013, the Centre for Equality and Liberty for the LGBT Community in Kosova (CEL) brings together community members to advocate for their rights and shift public attitudes about LGBT issues.
Founded in 2013, the Centre for Equality and Liberty for the LGBT Community in Kosova (CEL) brings together community members to advocate for their rights and shift public attitudes about LGBT issues. Their theatre production “Bent” was the first LGBT-themed play to be performed in the country. The play, performed to packed audiences, helped to revitalize dialogue on human rights and the LGBT community. CEL is now conducting outreach to LGBT community members; creating community spaces for LGBT people, particularly engaging lesbians and bisexual women; and building regional networks by undertaking study visits to LGBT organizations in other countries in the Western Balkans. CEL also focuses its’ work on raising awareness among the general population, in regard to LGBT rights and aims to educate youth and break down barriers caused in their society by misinformation, and conservative attitudes.
Chouf is a feminist organization working about women bodily and sexual rights in Tunisia.
Chouf is a feminist organization working about women bodily and sexual rights in Tunisia. The organization is based on an egalitarian principle that rejects any hierarchical ordering of its members. Chouf defines itself as a group of activists who rely on audiovisual material in their work. In fact, they strongly believe that these audiovisual tools are the most pertinent and effective means to effect immediate change in our social environment and rid us of the stereotypes and prejudiced views we face on a daily basis. They have a multiplicity of objectives, but they all revolve around one necessity: allowing tunisian women, and more specifically FSF women, a safe environment in which they can express themselves freely and work on developing their potentials; an opportunity that otherwise would have been very difficult to obtain given the double discrimination that these women have to face. Indeed, they are oppressed not only for their womanhood, but also for their sexual orientation that is regarded as a deviation from established social norms. In the transitional context they are living after the revolution, feminism has never been of such importance as it is now for the young generations. The rising threat of a radical politicization of Islam that they have witnessed during the past months, together with the patriarchal nature of our educational and societal models, has made it necessary for them to defend their rightful place as women in Tunisia.
For women of the organization Chouf, feminism has always been the source of their inspiration and growth, guiding our involvement in politics and integration in the social and cultural affairs of our country. Their life choices, their professional careers, and their struggles have always been shaped by their deep awareness of being women. That is why they do not associate their feminist vision with any political system. On the contrary, they define it as an acquired awareness and a shattering of the guilt often suffered by women in their search of intellectual and physical freedom; including having a sexuality that does not correspond to what is expected of them in a society governed by men for their own benefit.
Rosa Rabiosa is an LGBTIQ collective in Lima with the mission of promoting social justice, liberation and equal access to resources for the LGBTQI community.
Rosa Rabiosa is an LGBTIQ collective in Lima with the mission of promoting social justice, liberation and equal access to resources for the LGBTQI community. It is composed of a multidisciplinary team composed of artists, youth, activists and academic researchers. In the last three years Rosa Rabiosa through research (two publications), theater (three LGBTIQ testimonial works) and political advocacy has expanded its movement and bases, deeply rooted in the participatory and horizontal organization. Shaping the team, the lines of work, the base of young activists and using innovative tactics has led to the mobilization of impressive support throughout the country for its LGBTQI public policy goals, education and cultural change.
*** En Español***
Rosa Rabiosa es un colectivo LGBTIQ en Lima con la misión de promover la justicia social, la liberación y el acceso igualitario a recursos para la comunidad LGBTQI. Está integrado por un equipo multidisciplinario compuesto por artistas, jóvenes, activistas e investigadorxs académicxs. En los últimos tres años el Rosa Rabiosa a través de la investigación (dos publicaciones), el teatro (tres obras testimoniales LGBTIQ) y la incidencia política ha expandido su movimiento y bases, arraigadas profundamente en la organización participativa y horizontal. La conformación del equipo, la líneas de trabajo, la base de activistas jóvenes y usar tácticas innovadoras ha generado la movilización de un impresionante apoyo a lo largo del país por sus metas de políticas públicas LGBTQI, educación y cambio cultural.
El encuentro feminista “Lesbitransinter” de Latinoamérica y el Caribe se llevó a cabo en San José, Costa Rica del 22 al 24 de julio, 2015.
El encuentro feminista “Lesbitransinter” de Latinoamérica y el Caribe se llevó a cabo en San José, Costa Rica del 22 al 24 de julio, 2015. Las metas de la serie de encuentros continuos son crear un espacio abierto para promover el diálogo, la reflexión y el debate entre diversas partes del movimiento; reflexionar sobre los avances y los fallos del movimiento feminista; y promover colaboraciones políticas regionales que influyan al movimiento en años venideros. El arte como herramienta de transformación social fue un eje central de este más reciente encuentro, junto con el placer y el disfrute–como derechos básicos y como estrategias.
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El encuentro feminista “Lesbitransinter” de Latinoamérica y el Caribe se llevó a cabo en San José, Costa Rica del 22 al 24 de julio, 2015. Las metas de la serie de encuentros continuos son crear un espacio abierto para promover el diálogo, la reflexión y el debate entre diversas partes del movimiento; reflexionar sobre los avances y los fallos del movimiento feminista; y promover colaboraciones políticas regionales que influyan al movimiento en años venideros. El arte como herramienta de transformación social fue un eje central de este más reciente encuentro, junto con el placer y el disfrute–como derechos básicos y como estrategias.
