Story Type: Grantee Partners

Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity (MASGD)

The Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity (MASGD) is intentionally an all-volunteer, multiracial, mixed-gender organization, representative of the myriad communities that comprise LGBTQ and Muslim.

The Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity (MASGD) is intentionally an all-volunteer, multiracial, mixed-gender organization, representative of the myriad communities that comprise LGBTQ and Muslim. MASGD works to support, empower, and connect LGBTQ Muslims, while challenging root causes of oppression, misogyny, and xenophobia. MASGD aims to increase the acceptance of gender and sexual diversity within Muslim communities, and to promote a progressive understanding of Islam that is centered on inclusion, justice, and equality. LGBTQ Muslims are margins within the margins at the intersections of xenophobia, Islamophobia, gender-based oppression, racism (including colorism and anti-Black bias), and patriarchy.

This organization is supported through the Funding Queerly Giving Circle, which is housed at Astraea.

Trans(forming)

Trans(forming) is an Atlanta membership-based organization led by people of color and focusing on the needs of trans, intersex, and gender non-conforming people assigned female at birth.

Trans(forming) is an Atlanta membership-based organization led by people of color and focusing on the needs of trans, intersex, and gender non-conforming people assigned female at birth. They are driven by our deep commitment to ensure all trans and gender non-conforming people, especially trans people of color, can live with fairness, freedom, and justice throughout the metro Atlanta area. They believe that for our people to organize effectively for justice despite the various forms of oppression we struggle against, we must build resources to support our survival; they also believe our liberation cannot be complete without pursuing justice for all people of color, and ending all forms of oppression. To support our community’s survival and self-determination, Trans(forming) builds resources by and for trans and gender non-conforming people, and brings in new members through our meetings, workshops, programs, and events. They also organize marches, rallies, call-in campaigns, and other actions to rapidly respond to specific acts of injustice and to build pressure for policy change. Trans(forming) is an Anchor Organization of Solutions Not Punishment Coalition (SNaP Co) and this is where are amazing advocacy and activism takes place to change the system internally and the hearts and minds of communities. This organization is supported through the Funding Queerly Giving Circle, which is housed at Astraea.

A. Naomi Jackson and Lisa Harewood

Naomi Jackson is the author of The Star Side of Bird Hill, published by Penguin Press in June 2015. She studied fiction at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Jackson traveled to South Africa on a Fulbright scholarship, where she received an M.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Cape Town. A graduate of Williams College, her work has appeared in literary journals and magazines in the United States and abroad. She is the recipient of residencies from the University of Pennsylvania’s Kelly Writers House, Hedgebrook, Vermont Studio Center, and the Camargo Foundation. (Photo credit: Lola Flash)

Lisa Harewood is a Barbadian filmmaker and writer/director of Auntie, a short developed by the Commonwealth Foundation in 2013 and acquired by National Black Programming Consortium for its AfroPop series. The film has inspired an oral history project, Barrel Stories, which will document and share the experiences of Caribbean parents and children separated by migration. She previously produced a feature film which was nominated for Best First Feature at Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles. She holds an M.A. from Warwick University and trained in Independent Producing at MetFilm School, both in the UK. 

Aleanca (Alliance Against Discrimination of LGBT people)

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.

Asociación OTD

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.)

Aurora Guerrero

Aurora Guerrero was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area to immigrant Mexican parents. Guerrero wrote and directed Mosquita y Mari, her debut narrative feature. Since premiering at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, Mosquita y Mari has traveled over 100 film festivals including San Francisco International, Melbourne, Guadalajara, Sao Paulo, and has garnered multiple awards including Best First Feature at Outfest while picking up a Spirit Award and GLAAD nomination for Best Film under 500k. Mosquita y Mari was theatrically released in New York City where the New York Times praised an “an unassuming indie jewel.” Prior to making her feature, Guerrero directed award-winning short films, including Pura Lengua (2005 Sundance Film Festival) and Viernes Girl (winner HBO/NYLIFF competition). Los Valientes (The Brave Ones), slated to be Guerrero’s second feature, has received development support from Sundance, San Francisco Film Society, and Tribeca. In 2012 Guerrero was named a Time Warner/Sundance Storytelling Fellow.

 

Batucada Feminista La Tremenda Revoltosa

The feminist batucada La Tremenda Revoltosa is a collective composed of 20 feminist percussionists, most of them Afro-Colombian lesbians, who are committed to social transformation.

The feminist batucada La Tremenda Revoltosa is a collective composed of 20 feminist percussionists, most of them Afro-Colombian lesbians, who are committed to social transformation. They believe that the revolution will happen if people take it to the streets and believe that music inspires revolution. Through percussion and its activism in the streets, they advocate for dignity and against oppression, violence and silence.

*** En Español***

La batucada feminista La Tremenda Revoltosa es un colectivo compuesto por 20 percusionistas feministas, en su mayoría lesbianas afrocolombianas, que están comprometidas con la transformación social. Cree que la revolución se dará si la gente la saca a las calles y cree que la música inspira a la revolución. A través de la percusión y su activismo en las calles, aboga por la dignidad y en contra de la opresión, la violencia y el silencio.

 

Batukada Estallido Feminista

The Estallido Feminista batucada is a collective of lesbians and feminists using art, theater, music, and performance to generate dissident political action.

The Estallido Feminista batucada is a collective of lesbians and feminists using art, theater, music, and performance to generate dissident political action against all forms of domination, oppression and exploitation based on sex, race, class, sexuality, and immigration status.

*** En Español***

La batucada Estallido Feminista es un colectivo de lesbianas y feministas que usan el arte, el teatro, la música y la representación del performance para generar acción política disidente contra todas las formas de dominación, opresión y explotación con base en el sexo, la raza, la clase social, la sexualidad y el estatus de inmigración.

 

Beldan Sezen

Beldan Sezen is an artist who uses drawing, collage, and text. She has given workshops and master classes, participated in comic jams and exhibitions in Amsterdam, London, Berlin, Wiesbaden, New York, Beirut, Istanbul and Aleppo. Her previous graphic novels were Zakkum and #GeziPark. Her graphic memoir Snapshots of a Girl was listed in the 2016 ALA Over The Rainbow list. She has been awarded with the 2015 Astraea Global Arts Fund Award for her Turkey based project Butch It Up!. Her latest book To Separate The Body From The Machine is part of the New York Public Library and The Library of Congress special artbooks collections. Born in Germany to Turkish parents, she currently lives in Amsterdam.

Brújula Intersexual

Laura Inter was influenced by its own history and their own experiences as an intersex person and saw the need to share information on intersex issues and improve living conditions of intersex people.

Foundation

Laura Inter, its founder, was born with an intersex body, lived difficult experiences during her life, particularly in hospitals. In addition, much of her life believed that in the world there were no other people like her, for a long time she looked for a safe place where she could share her fears, her experiences, a place that would give her the tools to begin to heal and continue. Go ahead, but no matter how hard he looked, he did not find that place in his country, or any other Spanish-speaking space. These kinds of places are never created alone, nor do they arise out of nowhere, like this, with patience, with love, with determination … little by little that place began to take shape, and on October 27, 2013 – a day after Intersex Visibility, founded Brújula Intersexual.

The initial objective was to make intersex experiences visible, for this it was central to disseminate information in Spanish about the right to autonomy and bodily integrity of intersex people. The most relevant activities, and that have been maintained since its foundation, are to generate a community of peers and offer emotional support to intersex people and their families.

Mission

 

Our mission is to denounce violations of the right to self-determination, integrity and bodily autonomy that affect intersex people. Our main objective is to transform medical practices and social representations of intersex bodies and to contribute to the critical reflection of sex and gender; In this way, we influence the profound transformation of gender relations by challenging the naturalization of bodies and sexual stereotypes. The group’s activities are of dissemination, information, visibility and transformation of the problems faced by intersex people. For this we carry out various activities that have an impact on different levels of social life: we produce popular articles and academic texts; didactic materials; we translate relevant information into Spanish; We advise strategic groups, state and federal institutions; we participate in the media: publications, interviews; we give workshops and talks; We collaborate in the preparation of documents that affect the transformation of public policies; We collaborate in the presentation of reports on the situation of intersex people before various international human rights organizations.

From the beginning, our mission involved generating community and providing emotional support, we work primarily with groups of intersex people in our country and in other Spanish-speaking countries, and the world.

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*** En Español*** 

Fundación

Laura Inter, su fundadora, nació con un cuerpo intersexual, vivió experiencias complicadas durante su vida, en particular en los hospitales. Además, gran parte de su vida creyó que en el mundo no había otras personas como ella, por mucho tiempo buscó un lugar seguro en el que pudiera compartir sus miedos, sus experiencias, un lugar que le brindara las herramientas para comenzar a sanar y seguir adelante, pero por más que buscó, no encontró ese lugar en su país, ni ningún otro espacio de habla hispana. Ese tipo de lugares nunca se crean solos, ni surgen de la nada, así, con paciencia, con amor, con determinación… poco a poco ese lugar comenzó a tomar forma, y el 27 de octubre de 2013 —un día después del Día de la Visibilidad Intersexual, fundó Brújula Intersexual.

El objetivo inicial fue visibilizar las experiencias intersexuales, para ello fue central difundir información en idioma español acerca del derecho a la autonomía e integridad corporal de las personas intersexuales. Las actividades más relevantes, y que se han mantenido desde su fundación, son generar una comunidad de pares y ofrecer apoyo emocional a personas intersexuales y sus familias.

Misión

Nuestra misión es denunciar las violaciones al derecho a la autodeterminación, integridad y autonomía corporal que afectan a las personas intersexuales. Nuestro principal objetivo es transformar las prácticas médicas y representaciones sociales de los cuerpos intersexuales y coadyuvar a la reflexión crítica del sexo y del género; de esta manera incidimos en la transformación profunda de las relaciones de género al interpelar la naturalización de los cuerpos y estereotipos sexuales. Las actividades del grupo son de difusión, información, visibilización y transformación de los problemas que enfrentan las personas intersexuales. Para ello realizamos actividades diversas que tienen incidencia en distintos planos de la vida social: producimos artículos de divulgación y textos académicos; materiales didácticos; traducimos al español información relevante; asesoramos a grupos estratégicos, instituciones estatales y federales; participamos en medios de comunicación: publicaciones, entrevistas; impartimos talleres y charlas; colaboramos en la elaboración de documentos que inciden en la transformación de las políticas públicas; colaboramos en la presentación de informes sobre la situación de las personas intersexuales ante diversos organismos internacionales de derechos humanos.

Desde un inicio nuestra misión implicó generar comunidad y brindarle apoyo emocional, trabajamos primordialmente con grupos de personas intersexuales en nuestro país y en otros países de habla hispana, y del mundo.