Remembering MaliQ Akayo, a beloved member of TransBantu Zambia
3 April 2019Maliq Akayo was a member of TransBantu Zambia, one of that country’s most vocal transgender advocacy organisations. MaliQ participated heavily in work to expand the organization’s size, reach and refine its operating procedures. Photo: Supplied It is with great sadness that Iranti has learnt of the passing of MaliQ Akayo, a beloved member of TransBantu…
Remembering Leigh Davids, a flame in the darkness.
27 February 2019Leigh Davids, a vocal transgender and sex workers’ rights advocate, passed away in the early hours of 27 February 2019. Photo by Gugu Mandla. It is with great sadness that the Iranti team learnt today of the passing of Leigh Davids, a passionate and important advocate for transgender and sex workers’ rights in South Africa….
Caster Semenya ruling to be announced in March
25 February 2019After a week of court proceedings in Lausanne, Switzerland, the fate of Caster Semenya will be formally announced on 24 March 2019 by the CAS (Court of Arbitration in Sport). The IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) has fought to exclude Semenya from athletics ever since her hyperandrogenism (which results in heightened levels of testosterone)…
[VACANCY] International Trans Fund is hiring: Invitation to Bid for Consultancy Services for Development of Strategic Plan
8 February 2019The Steering Committee of the International Trans Fund (ITF) invites bids from consultants to develop and produce our first Strategic Plan (2020-2025). Terms of Reference 1. Background The ITF is a trans activist and funder-led initiative that aims to increase the capacity of trans movements globally to self-organize and advocate for trans people’s rights, self-determination and…
[WATCH] Iranti has been busy during 2018
14 December 20182018 has been a busy year for the Iranti team. We’ve made great strides in our focus areas of education, violence and access to healthcare. Take a look back at just a taste of our projects this year as we take a well-deserved break, and get into gear for 2019. Thanks to our followers for…
ITF is hiring a Capacity Building Officer
14 December 2018The ITF is a trans activist and funder-led initiative that aims to increase the capacity of trans movements globally to self-organize and advocate for trans people’s rights, self-determination, and wellbeing. The ITF works to mobilize sustainable resources to help build strong, trans-led movements and collective action, and to address and eliminate funding gaps impacting trans…
Zwakala Speaks! Edition 4
26 November 201826 November 2018 Issue 4 of ZwaKala Speaks! Iranti’s quarterly newsletter, is here! We take a look at what has happened in the world of the ZwaKala Project since our last edition, speak on the emotional journey that was our B*tch Makoya documentary production, and of course celebrate Pride in all its diversity! Click here…
[WATCH] Making a difference: International binder campaign
26 November 2018In 2018, trans activists from around the world gathered to give back to their communities – by raising money to make and distribute binders to areas where many trans men cannot access them. So many individuals helped out in making this initiative a success, and we thank them all.Iranti will be distributing binders for South…
Homophobes and abusers face justice
27 August 2018Iranti welcomes the resignation of Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Mduduzi Manana. A man who resorts to physical violence is not suitable to act as a Deputy Minister of Higher Education in this country, plagued as it is by gender based violence. Furthermore, a man who considers being called gay, the ‘ultimate insult’,…
ICD-11 released: Trans identities no longer considered mental illness!
22 June 2018The World Health Organization has just announced the completion of the ICD-11 and released the official on line version. A link will be shared in the next hour, once the embargo is over. The announcement does not mark the end of the ICD-11 process, but the beginning of a new phase, focused on implementation and…
[PRESS RELEASE] World Health Organisation removes mental illness from trans diagnoses. Statement by GDX and Iranti
22 June 2018A long and arduous struggle by trans activists and their allies has succeeded in finally ending the classification of trans identities as a mental illness in the world’s most widely used diagnostic manual, the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). This will facilitate the removal of one of the major barriers to healthcare access for trans…
Remembering Nkunzi: An activist, healer, husband and parent
29 May 2018Nkunzi Zandile Nkabinde was born on 7 December 1975, in politically active and vibrant Soweto. This healer, activist, and trailblazer stands within a long lineage of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) activists who have shaped and challenged South African discourse around issues pertaining to the often-fatal forms of violence this community is subjected…
Trans Health Without Borders
23 April 2018Debate Truly Borderless By Joshua Sehoole and Kellyn Botha On 18 and 19 April, Iranti hosted a “Trans Leadership and Planning” meeting with trans activists from across the region to have a foundational discussion on different factors we needed to address as a movement in order to have a collaborative approach on improving gender-affirming care…
Let us be introspective this Human Rights Day: Our road to the Trans(action)! project
21 March 2018South African Human Rights Day is celebrated on 21 March every year, but our rights need to be remembered, celebrated and defended every single day. The Bill of Rights, enshrined in our constitution as the birthright of all South Africans, is not always upheld. As a result, marginalised groups in this country face daily discrimination…
Community comes together to remember Lara Kruger
23 January 2018On 3 January 2018, the South African transgender community lost one of its most beloved voices when Lara Kruger passed away. The death of the Motsweding FM radio DJ, perhaps the first openly-transgender radio host on a mainstream station on the continent, left behind a loving family, a community of activists with whom she had…
Statement On the International Day of Action for Trans Depathologization 2017
21 October 2017The signatories of this Statement are activists representing different trans regional networks and international initiatives. This year, the International Day of Action for Trans Depathologization has a particular relevance for all our communities around the world: the largely due process of revision and reform of the tenth version of International Classification of Diseases will be…
Trans MSM in the Global HIV Response
7 October 2017We are a group of gay, bisexual, queer, and other trans masculine people* who have sex with men (trans MSM) and allies, and we are involved in the global HIV/AIDS response as advocates, researchers, and service providers. Read more about Trans masculine people who have sex with men claiming our place in the global HIV…
AFRICAN BODIES BREAKING GROUND BUILDING BRIDGES
27 June 2016African Bodies Breaking Grounds Building Bridges was the theme for the Pan African IlGA Regional Conference that took place in Johannesburg from 13-18 May 2016. This conference meant that emerging trans focused organizations had an opportunity to network with bigger organizations to share experiences, get advice and guidance. Small organizations engaged with possible donors and…
Yearning To Be Freely Me By Dalziel Leone
27 May 2016Sitting on the sandy beach front on Mombasa’s public beach, Saida stares into the vast blue horizon while she fidgets with her fingers. She’s twenty-two, slender, and her demeanour is shy. This is her favourite place to come to when she wants to think about her life. “I come here a lot. Especially when there…
South African Government Silent on Transgender and Intersex Rights
11 April 2016Today, the South African (SA) government presented its state report to the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) during the latter’s 58th Ordinary Session in Banjul, the Gambia, 6-20 April 2016. We noted with concern that the SA state report neglected to address widespread human rights challenges faced by transgender and intersex persons…
Trans Health Conversations
7 February 2016
Dr Anastacia Tomson
7 February 2016Anastacia Tomson is a medical doctor, activist and author. She has a history of working in primary healthcare, with a special interest in transgender health. Her autobiography, detailing her own experiences and challenges seen through the lens of transition, is set for release in early 2016. Anastacia is a vocal feminist and advocate for social justice,…
SA ICD-11 Field Testing
2 February 2016Iranti, together with other interested NGOs such as Gender Dynamix and GATE have been embarking on advocacy work around increasing African engagement with the ICD revision process, specifically in relation to Gender Incongruence in Adulthood and Adolescence as well as Childhood. From discussions that have taken place since the inception of our work in this…
Transgender Visibility Day INTERVIEW: Dr Anastacia Tomson
7 December 2015Article by Vikar Singh, National Officer for Sexual and Reproductive Health including HIV/AIDS (NORA) 5 December 2015 marked Africa’s first-ever Transgender Visibility Day. The initiative aims to fight Transphobia in all its forms and demands that transgender persons across Africa are protected against violence, economic oppression and should enjoy full human rights – including the…
Iranti honors Intersex Awareness Day and Building Africa’s ICD Depath Strategy
24 October 2015South Africa, 24 Oct 2015 THE ICD is the international classification of diseases is a document that is produced by the Word Health Organization. The existing 10th edition of the ICD is currently being reviewed by the World Health Organization (WHO), presenting activists with an opportunity to advocate for change. Iranti is committed…
Iranti hosts ICD Conference with Gender Dynamix and GATE
30 September 2015South Africa, 31 September 2015 Iranti in partnership with Gender Dynamix and GATE hosted a regional ICD (International Classification of Diseases) Conference from 27-30 September 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa with over 30 trans and intersex activists representing 12 countries across different regions in Africa. The aim of the conference was to create a…
Trans Journeys and Safe Spaces: CFCS was epic by Dalziel Leone
14 July 2015South Africa, 14 July 2015 A hangout moment with Transgender activists at CFCS. Dalziel Leone, with Immanuela, Apako and Jabu On Sunday 14 June 2015 we were all set for the journey, the East African Trans group. It was quite a chilly morning and took a lot of effort to be at the pick-up…
Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana (LEGABIBO) demands that their rights be protected
17 March 201517 March 2014 LEGABIBO members designing placards in preparation for the court case. Photo by Gugu Mandla Botswana. The LEGABIBO organization demands to be registered as an association group and not a group that promotes homosexuality or same-sex relationships. On 12 March 2012, their registration application was rejected by the Director of the Department of…
Jabu Pereira addresses Quorum about LGBTIQ rights
18 February 2015South Africa, 18 February 2015 This week from #Quorum: In this stirring tribute, activist and media strategist Jabu Pereira talks about the intersections of racial and gender oppression in #SouthAfrica, and urges us to remember those who have fallen. Stand with me — watch and share via quorum.thedailybeast.com. #humanrights #LGBT #equality
Transgender and Intersex Africa (TIA), Sat 8 Nov
7 November 2014SATURDAY 8 Nov, Transgender and Intersex Africa (TIA) to host an event at Con-Hill, Johannesburg to raise awareness about intersex issues – Intersex Genital Mutilation (IGM), unnecessary hormonal treatment and many others. For more information contact: Tshepang Magendisa Admin and Communications Officer Transgender and Intersex Africa +27127972612 Tshepimag.tia@gmail.com Download The Invite
Sexual rights, reproductive justice, and the links between human rights and development
19 September 2014See below an excellent speech by South Africa’s Minister for Social Development at an event on SRHR at the margins of the UN General Assembly. She discusses sexual rights, reproductive justice, and the links between human rights and development. Address by Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, MP, on the occasion of the United…
UN resolution and definition of the family
26 June 2014United Nations, 26 Jun 2014 Votes on Draft Resolutions under Agenda Item:3 – Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic,social and cultural rights, including the right to development. Agenda of the Human Rights Council meeting Relive the experience over webcast Explanation of the vote – Brazil Explanation of the vote – India Result of the vote
IDAHOT: Free to our express our sexual and gender identity
17 May 2014Johannesburg, 17 May 2014 by Gugu Mandla and Jabu Pereira Director of Iranti, Jabu Pereira, goes in-depth about IDAHOT. Photo by: Lebo Ntladi Iranti in partnership with several LGBTI organisations such Transgender Intersex Africa (TIA), Vutha LGBTI in the Vaal region and Uthingo-Daveyton, were hosted by Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. Constitution Hill’s Public Programme…
Statement for General Discussion on behalf of the Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Caucus
23 March 201423 March 2014, New York #CSW58 ~ statement by 76 organizations about the status of lesbian, bisexual, transgender and others with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities status. Download the full CSW58 statement.
Sex Work is Work
19 March 2014New York City, 19 March 2014 19 March 2014, 14:30-16:00, Boss Room, Church Centre United Nations #CCUN, 777 United Nations Plaza, New York City Sponsors: American Jewish World Service, Urgent Action Fund, Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, Mama Cash, Open Society Foundations and Red Umbrella Fund. Download invite to Sex Work is Work event at United…
Organisation: Global Action for Trans* Equality (GATE) Press release 29 January 2014: Survey of Trans and Intersex advocacy organizations reveals glaring need for support, partners Funding report summary: The state of Trans and Intersex organizing Funding report: The state of Trans and Intersex organising: A case for increased support for growing but under-funded movements for human rights “Beyond the usual challenges that any organization might face in raising money, trans* and intersex groups are particularly left adrift by the fact that few funders understand the nuances of their work or include trans* or intersex people in their giving priorities.” Read more…
27 January 201427 January 2014. Binyavanga Wainaina speaks on the fear of imagination ~ Part 1: Bring Me The Obedient Children (1 of 6).
Germany To Become First European State to Allow “Third Gender” Birth Certificates
17 August 2013German parents will no longer be legally obliged to register their newborn child as male or female, and will instead be officially allowed to assign the baby a “third gender” if the sex cannot be clearly identified at birth. The new law will come into force on November 1, on the back of a constitutional…
Sham package for Intersex: Leaving sex entry open is not an option
15 February 2013Germany, 15 February 2013 On its website, the German Bundestag proclaims: “In the future it will be possible to leave the gender specification in the birth registry open for children who are born without a clear gender.” What we need is an end to the externally determined gender assignment, the practice of sexed standardization and…