Gender DynamiX is a long-standing national and regional advocacy organization by and for trans people.
Gender DynamiX is a long-standing national and regional advocacy organization by and for trans people. Gender DynamiX’ long term goal is to ensure that diverse trans and intersex people are able to live openly, without obstruction, and in dignity by being able to equitably participate in the social, political and economic spheres of society. Over the last four years, they have engaged in advocacy campaigns to enforce Act 49 (the existing legal gender recognition law), increase access to healthcare, education, and accountability for violence against trans communities. They now have an opportunity to refocus efforts on redrafting South Africa’s gender recognition law to fully incorporate fundamental human rights for diverse trans people, which includes the right to self-identification premised on one’s right to self-determination, dignity and freedom. Over the next two years, they will build up a self-identification discourse, consolidate support amongst human rights movements, develop self-identification jurisprudence through test litigation cases and build a solid network of political and social stakeholders invested in legislative change.
Mulabi focuses on policy advocacy and education of public officials and service providors to promote decent treatment for trans and intersex people.
Mulabi was founded in 2006 and has become a leading force in Latin America. They participated in organizing the regional meeting of ILGALAC in November 2019 and the Regional LAC intersex conference in February 2020. Their advocacy work includes a workshop on the preparation of the Universal Periodic Exam, aimed at Women’s organizations in San José, Costa Rica (October 2019), participation in the Conference on Forced Migration of BGLTI populations, organized by the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Democracy and the Foundation for Peace and Democracy (October 2019), and a presentation before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, of the recommendations of the UPR written by Mulabi (September 2019). They are giving workshops in an awareness-raising approach.
Cattrachas is a collective of psychologists, advocates, academics, media communicators, graduate students, and activists whose main goal is to advance and protect the human rights of LGBTQI people in Honduras.
Cattrachas is a collective of psychologists, advocates, academics, media communicators, graduate students, and activists whose main goal is to advance and protect the human rights of LGBTQI people in Honduras through rigorous documentation of cases of violence against people LGBTQI, national and international advocacy at the policy level, and the creation and use of networks at local, regional and international levels. Thanks to its strategic advocacy, articles 27, 117, and 321 of the Honduran Penal Code have been reformed. These articles now penalize hate crimes against LGBTI people and femicides. Its leadership in investigating and documenting human rights violations against LGBTQI people has been instrumental in getting other co-parties in Latin America to also systematically monitor and document violence against LGBT people. Watch Cattrachas Founder Indyra Mendoza’s speech at our 40th Anniversary Gala in November 2017: *** En Español*** Cattrachas es un colectivo de psicólogxs, abogadxs, integrantes de la academia, comunicadorxs mediáticxs, estudiantes graduadxs y activistas cuyo objetivo principal es avanzar y proteger los derechos humanos de las personas LGBTQI en Honduras a través de la documentación rigurosa de casos de violencia contra las personas LGBTQI, la defensoría nacional e internacional a nivel de políticas y la creación y el uso de redes a niveles local, regional e internacional. Gracias a su defensoría estratégica, los artículos 27, 117 y 321 del Código Penal hondureño han sido reformados. Estos artículos ahora penalizan los crímenes de odio contra las personas LGBTI y los feminicidios. Su liderazgo en la investigación y la documentación de las violaciones de los derechos humanos LGBTQI ha sido fundamental para lograr que otras co-partes en América Latina también monitoreen y documenten de forma sistemática la violencia hacia las personas LGBT. Mira el discurso del fundador de Cattrachas en nuestra gala de 40 aniversario en noviembre de 2017 aquí:
SASOD is dedicated to the eradication of homophobia in Guyana and throughout the Caribbean. Since 2003 they have been working tirelessly to repeal discriminatory Guyanese laws, change local attitudes about the LGBT community, advocate for human rights, and end discrimination in the government, workplace, and community.
SASOD is dedicated to the eradication of homophobia in Guyana and throughout the Caribbean. Since 2003 they have been working tirelessly to repeal discriminatory Guyanese laws, change local attitudes about the LGBT community, advocate for human rights, and end discrimination in the government, workplace, and community. Four years ago SASOD and four claimants launched a suit against the 1893 law against male and female “cross-dressing.” In 2013, the Guyana Chief Justice unfortunately did not declare the “cross-dressing law” unconstitutional, stating that the law isn’t discriminatory on the basis of gender because it applies to both men and women. SASOD has submitted an appeal in the hopes the case will be ruled in their favor. In the meantime, SASOD continues to monitor the case, train media outlets on LGBT discrimination, work with trans organizations to develop security protocols, and engage in international advocacy. They aim to pass an amendment to the Prevention of Discrimination Act 1997 to include SOGI and health status as grounds for protection. SASOD recently leveraged Guyana’s 2nd UPR review in January 2015 with a successful media campaign, obtaining coverage on LGBT issues from nearly every media outlet.
Founded in 2004, Colombia Diversa works for the equal inclusion of LGBT people in Colombia through legal advocacy, documentation of human rights violations, advocacy on national and international public policies and visibility.
Founded in 2004, Colombia Diversa works for the equal inclusion of LGBT people in Colombia through legal advocacy, documentation of human rights violations, advocacy on national and international public policies and visibility. Colombia Diversa had a major victory in April 2016, when the Colombian Constitutional Court ruled in favor of marriage between same-sex couples. This victory represents more than 10 years of work in the long and difficult battle for the recognition of other rights of the same sex couples that lived in union, which was directed by Colombia Diversa and was supported by Astraea and five years of Direct work by marriage between same-sex couples. In 2011, the Constitutional Court stated that it gave Congress a period of two years to systematically regulate the rights of same-sex couples, if it did not, as of June 2013, couples could legally register their unions for Extend the matrimonial benefits received by heterosexual persons by then. Because this bill was never approved by Congress, as of 2013, activists in favor of same-sex marriage argued that because of the legal ambiguity of the Constitutional Court order, Sex could go to notaries or judges to get married. Colombia Diversa worked with progressive judges throughout the country, sometimes in secret, who were willing to marry same-sex couples. The conservative Attorney General of Colombia National prosecuted and prosecuted some of these couples and, in response, Colombia Diversa also filed suits on behalf of these couples. These lawsuits opened the legal path to bring back the case of equal marriage to the Constitutional Court that resulted in this recent victory. Colombia Diversa also visibly supported with legal arguments and social mobilization the different efforts that resulted in the complementary victory of the full adoption of rights for gay and lesbian couples in the Constitutional Court in November 2015.
*** En Español***
Fundada en 2004, Colombia Diversa trabaja por la inclusión igualitaria de las personas LGBT en Colombia a través de la defensoría legal, la documentación de los derechos humanos, la defensoría internacional y la visibilidad. Colombia Diversa tuvo una victoria importante en abril de 2016, cuando el Tribunal Constitucional colombiano falló a favor del matrimonio entre parejas del mismo sexo. Esta victoria representa más de 10 años de trabajo en la larga y difícil batalla por el reconocimiento de las relaciones de parejas del mismo sexo, la cual estuvo dirigida por Colombia Diversa y fue apoyada por Astraea, y de cinco años de trabajo directo por el matrimonio entre parejas del mismo sexo. En 2011, el Tribunal Constitucional ordenó que las parejas del mismo sexo podían registrar legalmente sus relaciones dentro de dos años en caso de que el Congreso no les extendiera los mismos beneficios matrimoniales que reciben las personas heterosexuales. Aunque este proyecto de ley no pasó en el Senado en 2013, lxs activistas a favor del matrimonio entre personas del mismo sexo argumentaron que, debido a la ambigüedad legal de la orden del Tribunal Constitucional, las parejas del mismo sexo podían acudir a notarios o a jueces para casarse. Colombia Diversa trabajó con jueces progresistas por todo el país, a veces en secreto, que estaban en disposición de casar a parejas del mismo sexo. El conservador Fiscal General de Colombia demandó a algunas de estas parejas y, en respuesta, Colombia Diversa también sometió demandas en nombre de estas parejas. Estas demandas legales abrieron el camino legal para traer de vuelta el caso al Tribunal Constitucional y, eventualmente, resultaron en esta reciente victoria. Colombia Diversa también encabezó los esfuerzos que resultaron en la victoria complementaria de la plena adopción de los derechos para las parejas gays y lesbianas en el Tribunal Constitucional en noviembre de 2015.
Survivors Organizing for Liberation (SOL) and Buried Seedz of Resistance envisions a Colorado where Transgender, Gender non-conforming, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit and Queer people have the power to determine the conditions of their lives, are valued for who they are, take responsibility for each other’s safety, and live their lives free from violence.
Survivors Organizing for Liberation (SOL) and Buried Seedz of Resistance envisions a Colorado where Transgender, Gender non-conforming, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit and Queer people have the power to determine the conditions of their lives, are valued for who they are, take responsibility for each other’s safety, and live their lives free from violence. SOL|BSeedz operates a 24-hour statewide hotline for community members who have experienced or witnessed violence as a strategy to empower callers to join the “healing collective” and become active members of bringing safety and wellness into our communities. SOL|BSeedz has been actively responding to the murder of Jessie Hernandez, a young queer Latina murdered by the Denver Police Department, and works with community members to respond to ongoing police violence.
Blue Diamond Society was founded in 2001 and is committed to creating a society in which sexual and gender minorities (SGM) can live with equal rights, freedom, dignity and a full range of opportunities.
Blue Diamond Society was founded in 2001 and is committed to creating a society in which sexual and gender minorities (SGM) can live with equal rights, freedom, dignity and a full range of opportunities. BDS works to address human rights violations, inequality, stigma and discrimination, lack of access to education, employment and healthcare services for SGM people including Third Genders in Nepal. BDS has been working with hospitals and the health sector to try to prevent forced mutilation of intersex children. They recognize that more advocacy is required together with working with doctors, interacting with educators, healthcare providers, parents and the media, and carrying out research, and plan to build out this work while also building community with intersex people.
FIERCE! is a community organizing project for Transgender, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Queer, and Questioning (TLGBTSQQ) youth of color in New York City.
FIERCE! is a community organizing project for Transgender, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Queer, and Questioning (TLGBTSQQ) youth of color in New York City. FIERCE is dedicated to exploring and building power in these communities through a mix of leadership development, artistic and cultural activism, political education, and campaign development. FIERCE challenges the institutions that perpetuate transphobia, homophobia, racism, ethnic conflict, gender bias, economic injustice, ageism, and the spread of HIV, STIs, STDs, and other mental and physical health crises, and organizes against the injustices of the criminal “justice” system, housing, employment, education, and healthcare systems.
Grupo Safo was formed in 2004 with the aim of making lesbian and bisexual women in Nicaragua visible.
Grupo Safo is a group of lesbian and bisexual women who defend human rights and citizenship. Founded in 2004 with the aim of helping lesbian and bisexual women in Nicaragua achieve visibility, the organization has a presence in Managua and the West of the country. Grupo Safo promotes sexual and reproductive rights, lesbian sexual health and family rights. The areas of work include: psychological and legal support to lesbian mothers, sexual and reproductive health, advocacy and prevention of STIs/HIV. Grupo Safo aspires to be an organization of national and international reference that promotes broad political and educational impact on the defense of human rights and citizenship of lesbian and bisexual women and their families, and contributes to the empowerment of Nicaraguan lesbian identity. The organization contributes to and affects lesbians and bisexual women and entire LGBT community have more and better access to justice. Towards that, Safo Group provides legal and psychological support to lesbian and bisexual women who have suffered discrimination or incidents of physical, emotional and economic violence. Grupo Safo manages a Hate Crime Observatory to record cases of violence and discrimination against lesbian women; this documentation helps lesbians achieve legal visibility. Grupo Safo shows discrimination in its various manifestations and simultaneously initiates a process of awareness with key stakeholders. *** Grupo Safo es un grupo de mujeres lesbianas y bisexuales que defienden los derechos humanos y de ciudadanía; que se fundo en el 2004 con el objetivo de visibilizar y acompañar a las mujeres lesbianas y bisexuales de Nicaragua. La organización tienen presencia en Managua y el Occidente del país. Promueven los derechos sexuales y reproductivos, salud sexual lésbica y derechos de familia. Los ejes de trabajo incluyen: acompañamiento psicológico y jurídico a madres lesbianas, familiares de Lesbianas, salud sexual reproductiva, incidencia política y prevención de las ITS, VIH. Grupo Safo aspira a ser una organización de referencia nacional e internacional que promueve una amplia incidencia política y educativa en la defensa de los derechos humanos y de ciudadanía de las mujeres lesbianas y bisexuales y sus familiares, y que contribuya al empoderamiento de la identidad lésbica nicaragüense. La organización contribuye e incide para que las mujeres lesbianas y bisexuales, así como toda la comunidad LGBT tengan un mayor y mejor acceso a la justicia. Hacia eso, Grupo Safo aporta su acompañamiento legal y psicológico a mujeres lesbianas y bisexuales que han sufrido discriminación o incidentes de violencia física, emocional y económica. Grupo Safo administra un Observatorio de Crímenes de Odio para registrar casos de violencia y discriminación hacia las mujeres lesbianas. Mediante el registro se logra visibilizar y evidenciar la discriminación en sus diferentes manifestaciones y a la vez iniciar un proceso de sensibilización con actores claves.
MAB trains and supports other organizations in feminist self-care and in artivism, offering each year a theater school in Bogotá and a community video trainings throughout South America.
Mujeres al Borde (MAB) is a transfeminist collective founded in 2001 with the mission of raising visibility, fostering leadership, and creating networks of affection and creative work among sexually and gender dissident people, as well as promoting Recognition and respect for the rights of women and LGBTIQ communities. Its main strategies are Artivismo (Art + Activism), popular education, transfeminist methodologies and grassroots community work, creating links between the various movements with which they work. It was the first organization in Colombia to open spaces for people of bodies and multiple identities, thus contributing to the recognition and politicization of experiences that had remained poorly visible or that had been stigmatized by the LGBT community itself. At the regional level, their transfeminist practice has been expressed in important actions such as the co-creation of the “Come to the South” LesBiTransInter meeting, which challenged the idea that only women can be feminists and the initiative of the Southern Transfusion Network. MAB trains and supports other organizations in feminist self-care and in artivism, offering each year a theater school in Bogotá and a community video trainings throughout South America. *** En Español*** Mujeres al Borde (MAB) es una colectiva transfeminista que se fundó en el 2001, con la misión de elevar la visibilidad, fomentar el liderazgo, las redes de afecto y de trabajo creativo entre personas disidentes sexuales y del género, así como también promover el reconocimiento y respeto de los derechos de las mujeres y de las comunidades LGBTIQ. Sus estrategias principales son el Artivismo (Arte + Activismo), la educación popular, las metodologías transfeministas y el trabajo comunitario de base, creando lazos entre los diversos movimientos con los que trabajan. Fue la primera organización en Colombia en abrir espacios para personas de cuerpos e identidades múltiples, aportando así al reconocimiento y politización de experiencias que habían permanecido poco visibles o que habían sido estigmatizadas por la misma comunidad LGBT. A nivel regional su práctica transfeminista se ha expresado en acciones importantes como la co-creación del encuentro LesBiTransInter “Venir Al Sur” que retó la idea de que solo las mujeres cisgénero podían ser feministas y la iniciativa de la Red Transfeministas del Sur. MAB capacita y apoya a otras organizaciones en autocuidado feminista y en artivismo, ofreciendo cada año una escuela de teatro en Bogotá y una de video comunitario que itinera por América del Sur.
