2020

The ITF is thrilled to support 52 trans-led organizations in 41 countries. You can learn about their work below.

Alive Malawi (Malawi)
Alive Malawi was founded in 2009 in Malawi. They strive to give a voice and support to all LGBTI persons so that they can enjoy fundamental rights and dignity as human beings. They run a safe house (shelter) and call-in center (offering support through phone and internet) for LGBTI persons. They also have an active resource center where trans persons interact and discuss issues that affect them. They create materials to equip trans persons with information and skills to face challenges, lobby, and advocate for their rights, stay safe and healthy and to build their own movements. Their main publications are Staying Safe, A Guide for LGBTI persons, a booklet titled Letters to…and a video documentary called Voices from the Margins.

Almas Cautivas A.C. (Mexico)
Almas Cautivas A.C. was founded in 2013 in Mexico. Their mission is to provide assistance, support, and promotion of human rights for trans people incarcerated in Mexico’s penitentiary centers, as well as political advocacy for the recognition of the rights of free trans people. They have carried out a variety of workshops and conferences on human rights, sexual rights, violence prevention and economic autonomy with lesbian, bisexual and trans women who are incarcerated in the penitentiary centers of Mexico. They participated in political advocacy processes for the legal recognition of gender identity in the civil codes of Mexico City and are recognized by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for advocacy in public policies. They maintain alliances with other organizations working for people deprived of their freedom and other national and international LGBTI associations.

Anonymous (Anonymous)
This group was founded in 2014 and advocates for equal medical rights, vocational rights, and sexual rights of trans people. The grant will go towards general operating costs, such as staff salaries and office rental. Due to safety and security concerns, this group has requested that their name and work not be published.

Anonymous (Africa)

This group was formed in 2011. Their mission is to provide a platform that champions the social, political, economic empowerment of transgender women and advocates for their access to quality health and legal services. The activities are: increase transgender women’s access to quality and non-discriminatory health care services and information through building their capacity on understanding their health rights and building the capacity of health workers in understanding the rights and unique health needs of transgender women; advocate and create an environment in which transgender people are recognized and accepted; and to empower trans women with skills and knowledge to uplift their social well-being and livelihood. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2018 and 2019.

Anonymous (Africa)

This group was founded in 2017. They were formed to address a major gap in the LGBTI and sex worker movements which neglected to work on issues facing rural transgender youth women and gender diverse community. They aim to promote the rights and interests of rural transgender youth women and gender diverse youth within LGBTI movement and the society more broadly. Their mission is to build a broad, informed, and inclusive society where all rights, issues and interests of rural transgender youth women, transgender youth sex workers, gender non-conforming youth and intersex youth are valued and celebrated through youth inclusiveness, participation, and leadership. Their activities are structured around three themes: 1) health and human rights advocacy; 2) socio-economic and livelihood enhancement for members; and 3) health and legal services access. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2019.

Anonymous (Latin America)
This group was founded in 2017. Its mission is to protect trans and intersex children, adolescents and youth who are discriminated against in educational spaces or by their own families. Its main activities are: providing accompaniment for cases in which trans children and youth are not accepted in schools; promote safe and inclusive spaces to welcome those who are excluded from their homes or neighborhoods (especially marginal places where there is a high degree of violence) due to their gender identity; and support them by providing the necessary tools to be able to help themselves. Due to safety and security concerns, this group has requested that their name and work not be published.

Archivo de la Memoria Trans Argentina (Argentina)
Archivo de la Memoria Trans Argentina was founded in 2013 in Argentina. Their mission is to gather documentary heritage about the life stories of the Argentine trans community. The key activities are: the documentary management of the Trans Memory Archive; training for trans people older than 45 years on new digital supports, digital preservation, and photographic conservation; hosting workshops, debate talks, exhibits, interviews, presentations, statistics; developing their first book; and developing a documentary or biodrama theatre play. They work closely with different trans groups, cultural centers/museums, and human rights organizations.

Asociación Generación de Hombres Trans de El Salvador (El Salvador)
Asociación Generación de Hombres Trans de El Salvador was founded in 2014. Their mission is to drive processes of organizing and of advocacy for the defense of the human rights of the LGTBI community, focusing principally on trans men, in order to gain favorable conditions for respect, compliance, and recognition of their human rights at the national, regional, and global levels. Their key activities are: enhancing public policies for improving access to work, defending human rights and a Gender Identity Law; advocating with the Ministry of Education to increase opportunities for academic access and with the Ministry of Health for specialized services; providing attention and accompaniment for cases of violence; and advocating in civil society, media, and academic institutions. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2018 and 2019.

Asociación Silueta X – (Centro Psico Trans Ecuador) (Ecuador)
Asociación Silueta X was founded in Ecuador in 2010. Its mission is to fight for the rights in health, education, employment, justice and citizenship of the trans population in Ecuador. It is an organization led by trans people who promote the growth of the Trans Revolution Platform, a space for national articulation for MTF and FTM people, with a horizontal structure. They have promoted campaigns in order to bother the positions of gender and sex such as: “Breaking the role does not eliminate your rights” (2013); paradigm break campaigns such as “Tiempo de Igualdad” (2014); as well as the creation of the first Psychomedical Center specializing in transsexuality (2015), promotion and acceptance of the body and reproduction of families, with the Diverse Families campaign (from 2015 to 2017); achieved the Optional Gender for trans people as part of the recognition as citizens (2016); and finally they created the first and only Trans Psychological Center with the support of the FIT (2019). This center, located in the city of Quito, seeks to counteract centers that perform conversion or torture therapies based on gender identity, as well as other issues related to mental health. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2019.

Associazione Gruppo Trans (Italy)
Associazione Gruppo Trans was formed in 2016 in Italy. Their work is grounded primarily in their own lives, experiences, and knowledge, therefore they strive to improve the quality of life of the trans-population* in everyday life, such as the social and work spheres, in the wellness, health and research sectors, in sports as well as in schools and university. In order to do so, they challenge the administration to reform the Italian regulatory framework for trans* people at a national, regional, and local level. Their activities include support meetings encouraging socialization and community building, bringing trans* people of every age together; providing mentoring and information; creating video material; conducting online social campaigns; delivering workshops and cultural initiatives, sport, post-op group exercises, recreational and educational events; and creating a network for health, housing, and family emergencies.

Boutokaan Inaomataia ao Mauriia Binabinaine Association (BIMBA) (Kiribati)
Boutokaan Inaomataia ao Mauriia Binabinaine Association (BIMBA) Incorporated Society was founded in 2016 in the Republic of Kiribati. They strive to ensure recognition and formalization of the community that has existed for many years comprising of transgender women or “binabinaine” and gay men. Their mission includes decriminalization of homosexuality and promoting the rights of binabinaine/binabinamwane; alleviation of the occurrences of violence, stigma, and discrimination; empowerment of binabinaine/binabinamwane to access public services and community consultations; increased representation of BIMBA in various policy decision making spaces; and improved monitoring, evaluation, research and learning for BIMBA when engaging with donors, governments, and others.

Casa Chama (Brazil)
Casa Chama was founded in 2018 in Brazil. Casa Chama is a self-organized independent transgender cultural and social initiative that works with innovative methods and radical approaches to address the urgency for a politics of care and human rights protections for transgender communities in Brazilian society. Casa Chama’s mission is to provide trans artists and trans cultural workers living in vulnerable conditions in São Paulo and elsewhere with artistic, community-building, psychological, medical, and legal support structures. The dynamics of mutual care are expressed in the organization’s three distinct yet connected fronts: culture, health, and legal advice. The cultural front includes artistic support for trans artists and performers, spaces of dialogue and community-building, a public program of events, pedagogic initiatives, co-working spaces, a library, and activities that promote local engagement within trans communities. On the health front, they offer psychological support and therapeutic support such as voice training to strengthen voice identities through a network of associated volunteer health professionals specialized in trans issues. The legal advice front deals specifically with legal issues pertaining to trans persons and they work with a network of pro bono lawyers working on anti-discrimination legal proceedings and aiding trans persons to change their legal identities.

Colectivo Trans por la libertad de ser y decidir (Mexico)
Colectivo Trans por la libertad de ser y decidir was founded in 2014 in Mexico. Their mission is to support trans folks to be agents of social change and generate their own development through replicating successful models, strengthening their leadership and sustained training; generating a context of access to justice, holistic health, and quality of life. They are a community group that was born out of a project financed by the World Forum for Mexico, where they work as promoters to reach the trans population with HIV prevention tools and testing.

Društvo Kvartir (Slovenia)
Društvo Kvartir was founded in 2014 in Slovenia. Their mission is to heal the community so that they may work together to create accessible systems for transition, social justice, as well as safer spaces which belong to the community and are based in an intersectional approach. Their key activities are trans meet ups, health workshops, raising visibility, promoting transgender art & culture, organizing the Transpozijum conference 2021 and the Balkan Trans Inter March.

Dynamic Initiative for Healthcare & Human Rights (DIHHR) (Nigeria)
Dynamic Initiative for Healthcare & Human Rights (DIHHR) [formerly TIP for Human Rights in Nigeria (THRIN)] was founded in 2013 in Nigeria. Their mission is to promote respect for the rights of every human being irrespective of their sexual orientation and gender identity and expression and that includes their health and well-being. Their key activities are: advocating for the rights of trans/intersex and non-conforming individuals in Nigeria; ensuring that transgender rights amongst other key affected populations are recognized as central to the discussion; holding governments accountable for their commitments and inclusivity of transgender and intersex people thus reducing the rate of stigma and discrimination of individuals based on SOGIE; and the creation of Shelter Homes for Solace & Tranquility Initiative which will make safe homes accessible to trans people. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2018.

The Foundation of Transgender Alliance for Human Rights (TGA) (Thailand)
The Foundation of Transgender Alliance for Human Rights (TGA) was founded in 2010 in Thailand. The main purpose of TGA is to support transgender people to have a better quality of life and be treated equally. In doing so, TGA strategically aims to conduct research and gather information related to gender identities and sexual orientations, health, and human rights of transgender people into a set of knowledge and communication to promote well-being and equality. In addition, TGA works to strengthen capacity and skills of trans activists and allies to raise awareness and understanding concerning the identities and rights of transgender people. TGA also coordinates an inclusive process of engagements with civil societies in its advocacy to improve well-being of transgender people in Thai society. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2018.

FTM Vietnam Organization (Vietnam)
FTM Vietnam Organization was founded in 2015 in Vietnam. Their mission is to connect the nationwide transgender community and build a world in which transgender people are seen, recognized, and accepted. Their key activities are: provide information, knowledge, and advice through a Facebook page; develop support groups and safe space to promote conversation, empathy, and opportunity; advocate to change policies and society to increase understanding and equality of transgender people; advocate for gender change law in Vietnam; create safe space; and provide supportive counseling on healthcare, public law, and other subjects to the female-to-male transgender community. FTM Vietnam Organization is developing a network and currently working with male-to-female transgender groups, healthcare service providers, law service providers, LGBQI+ grassroots groups, allies and PFLAG groups in Vietnam.

Gender Minorities Aotearoa (Aotearoa/New Zealand)
Gender Minorities Aotearoa was founded in 2014 in Aotearoa/New Zealand. They are a nationwide organization which is run by and for transgender people, including non-binary, intersex, and takataapui gender diverse people. Their vision is for all transgender people to be empowered by a full range of choices across all aspects of their lives, and to be able to participate fully in society. This includes assisting transgender, intersex and takataapui people, through both policy and legislative changes as well as directly at a community level and as individuals, in accessing food, housing, health care, education, employment, identification documents, supportive social environments, justice, and well-being. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2017 and 2018.

Grupo de Acción y Apoyo a Personas Trans (GAAT) (Colombia)
Grupo de Acción y Apoyo a Personas Trans (GAAT) was founded in 2008 in Colombia. They are a grassroots social organization that defends, promotes, and makes visible the rights and full citizenship of trans people, their families and support networks for political impact and social and cultural transformations. Their main activities are: promotion of individual and collective well-being through weekly support groups and political education school; defense and promotion of rights through legal accompaniment, violence and human rights observatory, and provision of urgent services for trans victims of violence and rights violations; promotion of sociocultural transformations through strategies for political impact; denouncing  acts of discrimination; and promotion of the trans social movements’ political agenda with state and international entities.

Helem – Trans* Committee (Lebanon)
Helem – Trans* Committee was formed in 2017 in Lebanon. The Trans* Committee of Helem is an independent collective of trans* men and women as well as non-binary individuals who are working on different trans* related issues. The committee is incubated within Helem, the first LGBT rights organization in the Arab world, but is independent from it in terms of its decision-making, structure, and work priorities. The main goals of the committee are threefold: 1) Provide a safe space for the trans* community to mobilize and support one another; 2) Organize trans* led events and awareness campaigns and channel funding to trans*issues; and 3) Act as a steppingstone for the eventual creation and establishment of the first trans* led organization in the Arab world due to launch in 2021. The vision of the committee is to create spaces for trans* individuals to lead their own liberation among the greater LGBT and human rights space in Lebanon and it partners with several feminist, labor rights, and queer organizations to achieve this goal.

Hetura NCD LGBT Group (Papua New Guinea)
Hetura NCD LGBT Group was formed in 2012 in Papua New Guinea. Their mission is to develop a strong foundation for LGBT communities in Port Moresby, National Capital District. Hetura NCD is focused on human rights, gender equality, gender-based violence, respect, and greater involvement of people living with HIV, sustainability, self-reliance, community participation and mobilization. They aspire to ensure their members can live in safer, fairer, and healthier environments; free from all forms of stigma, discrimination, and gender-based violence; involved in community mobilization and participation; access to health care services and other relevant service providers; and promote sustainability.

IG “MyrzayyM” (Kyrgyzstan)
IG “MyrzyAyyM” was created at the end of 2017. The main activity is aimed at mobilizing and strengthening the trans community in Kyrgyzstan. They are focused on increasing the potential of the team. Within the framework of the MTF project, they have the following mobilization and strengthening activities: create Self-organized spaces; host film screenings and discussions; and engage in capacity building such as English courses and providing voice feminization courses. The Project “trans activism in Kyrgyzstan” will capture the history of trans activists and go deeper into the beginning of the emergence of trans activism in Kyrgyzstan.

Institute Transfeminist Initiative TransAkcija (Slovenia)
Institute Transfeminist Initiative TransAkcija was founded in 2014. They are the first trans-specific NGO in Slovenia and their mission is capacity and community building, and they contribute to the possibilities of individuals to become more empowered and as such they build a stronger and more sustainable trans movement in Slovenia. Their key activities are divided into two larger categories: 1) Internal – which includes individual counselling, peer-to-peer support groups, volunteering program, capacity building and community/movement building; and 2) External: education and awareness-raising – holding workshops and conferences, events, producing resources and publications and conducting surveys. This also includes advocacy and policy change with the aim of addressing and decreasing social, legal, and systemic erasure of trans persons and contributing to raising awareness and inclusion of trans persons and topics in Slovenian society. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2017 and 2019.

Kerukunan Waria Bissu Sulawesi Selatan (KWRSS) (Indonesia)
Kerukunan Waria Bissu Sulawesi Selatan (KWRSS) was founded in 1999 in Indonesia. KWRSS is the oldest transgender women community-based organization in South Sulawesi Province. Their mission is to 1) provide education and empowerment to the trans women and Bissu community and strengthen the organizational system; 2) Take an active role in the process of preserving the Bissu culture in South Sulawesi; and 3) Strengthen collaboration with networks. Their key activities include education to the society, Bissu an Calabai, campaigning on the terminology of five genders in South Sulawesi with various approaches such as sports and cultural event (KWRSS has annual sports and culture event called PORSENI. In 2017, it was disbanded by the government); public policy advocacy to push the government to fulfil the rights of transgender women rights and preserving a Bissu culture in South Sulawesi; and building networks with other LGBTI organization in Indonesia.

Libertarian Union of Trans and Travestis People (ULTRA) (Brazil)
Libertarian Union of Trans and Travestis People (ULTRA) was founded in 2017 in Brazil. Their mission is to build a society where the trans community has full access to fundamental rights, aiming to sensitize public and private institutions to include the trans community in their projects and policies and creating safe spaces for trans people to work and use. Their key activities are: mapping, denouncing, and curbing the violations of trans people’s rights; advocacy with institutions to guarantee trans rights; and promote the debate among policymakers on including the trans community in policies already formulated. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2019.

LighT (Anonymous)
LighT was founded in 2015. Their mission is to maintain/ensure security for the transgender community. Their main activities are: consolidation of the trans community and establishment of the environment conducive to the raising of the capacity of the community; advocacy to establish a transparent and accessible procedure of legal gender recognition; and improving the capacity of the organization and raising visibility of transgender people. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2019.

Ma’avarim (Israel)
Ma’avarim was founded in 2014 in Israel. Their mission is to empower trans people by working to make resources and knowledge widely accessible. Their key activities are: Ma’avarim Onim – Rights center and hotline providing information and support to trans individuals, families, and healthcare providers;  Scholarship Program – Granting scholarships to trans students, reducing marginalization and promoting trans presence in the academy, in partnership with Microsoft Israel and LGBTech; Advocacy Department – Educating service providers about the trans community, making those services more accessible; and Policy Change – Lobby, parliamentary work and legal action, in cooperation with human rights organizations.

Manish Cave (Netherlands)
Man.ish Cave was founded in 2018 in the Netherlands. They are a peer support and empowerment organization for Black, and People of Colour transmasculine/non- binary community and allies including persons with a refugee (documented or un-documented)/immigration background). They aim to address issues intersecting with gender freedom, race, feminism, mental, physical, sexual health, and issues that may arise when navigating the Dutch legal systems. Their key activities are regular support groups; movie nights; fellowship dinner; awareness raising activities; recreation activities; capacity building and leadership development trainings.

Masjid al-Rabia (US)
Masjid al-Rabia is an Islamic community center founded in December 2016 in Chicago, IL, USA. Masjid al-Rabia’s mission is to provide spiritual support for marginalized LGBTQ+ Muslims with healing justice practices in mind. Through education, outreach, and advocacy initiatives, they seek to create a world where LGBTQ+ people can come to their faith as their whole selves. They empower Muslims to make the world safer for transgender and gender non-conforming people of faith where people from every faith tradition and experience can express the same religious rights as anyone else. The need for compassionate informed spiritual care is so urgent that they have created a community where trans voices are centered and none are turned away. Masjid al-Rabia acts as a possibility model for inclusive faith-justice spaces to show not only is it possible to “be both” religious and LGBTQ+, but also show that trans and gender non-conforming people of faith can thrive.

My Genderation (UK)
My Genderation was formed in 2012 in the United Kingdom. This is a project that focuses on celebrating trans lives and trans experiences through the medium of film or other creative avenues. They aim to show trans people in a realistic, authentic way to combat stereotypes and misconceptions about trans people and their lives. My Genderation always works from an intersectional perspective, making sure that their work is elevating voices from a wide range of people within the community. Their key activities revolve around creating authentic and engaging film content about trans people, in order to combat stigma and increase acceptance and understanding. This also includes other creative work, including hosting film events and film festivals, hosting workshops for trans people and participating in projects with other human rights organizations. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2018.

Pertubuhan Pembangunan Kebajikan dan Persekitaran Positif Malaysia (SEED) (Malaysia)
Pertubuhan Pembangunan Kebajikan dan Persekitaran Positif Malaysia (SEED) was founded in 2014 in Malaysia. Their mission is to empower people who are socially excluded in Malaysia by providing access to a safe space, supporting sustainable livelihoods, facilitating access to healthcare services, and linking people to resources to improve quality of life. SEED’s center and T-Home key activities are: conducting community-based empowerment programs and workshops, and sensitization training and talks; providing HIV prevention programs including HIV and Hep-C testing; providing referrals to those that are seeking medical, legal assistance, employment and social welfare assistance and peer support and counseling; protecting the security of a safe space through the SEED Center (provide food and hygiene at the center) and T-Home (temporary or full boarding). This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2018 and 2019.

Pioneer Filipino Transgender Men Movement (Philippines)
Pioneer Filipino Transgender Men Movement was founded in 2011 in the Philippines. Their mission is to strengthen the local Filipino transgender men community and to promote transgender health by providing information on medically guided HRT. Their main activities are hosting Trans Men SOGIESC Sessions, which are trans men focused learning sessions on SOGIE, human rights, transgender health, and legal documents for transgender people; organize annual sports activities, well-being meetups and monthly group check-ups (with Victoria Clinic – which caters to trans-specific health concerns). They are also doing research with the University of the Philippines Center for Women and Gender Studies, titled “Baseline Research on the Lived Experiences of Filipino Transgender men in the Philippines.”

Pondok Pesantren Waria Al-Fatah (Indonesia)
Pondok Pesantren Waria Al-Fatah was founded in 2008 in Indonesia. This is the only madrassa for trans women in Indonesia, which was established to provide psycho-social support for trans women after an earthquake hit Yogyakarta in 2006. Their mission is to provide a safe space for trans women in Yogyakarta to express their identities, while empowering themselves and fulfilling their rights to religious freedom. By doing so, they expect that their members can improve their psychological resiliency when pressures come from their family, society, or the state. They also hope that they can use their religious knowledge to adapt better in society thus slowly making room to eradicate stigma against trans people. Their main activities are: conducting weekly Al-Qur’an study; celebrations of religious days with the public; economic empowerment; community services; and being actively involved in LGBT movement in Yogyakarta in collaboration with universities, NGOs, religious organizations, and governmental bodies at the local/national level. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2018.

Rainbow Path Aotearoa New Zealand (Aotearoa/New Zealand)
Rainbow Path Aotearoa New Zealand was founded in 2019 in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Their vision is to support new arrivals (LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers and former refugees), lead advocacy work on human rights, and increase allies’ awareness of the issues facing their communities and their support for changes to laws, policies, and practices. Their key activities are supporting people and linking them to lawyers and other services including gender-affirming care and mental health support; meeting regularly to build the group, and collating members’ experiences; drafting fact sheets, writing submissions, and making presentations; and reaching out to allies, decision-makers, and health professionals offering training and resources about the human rights issues.

Refugee Trans initiative – RTI (Kenya)
Refugee Trans initiative-RTI was formed in 2017 in Kenya. They are a transgender refugee led and centered educational and empowerment program group for and by transgender refugees and asylum seekers living in Kenya. Their mission is to empower trans refugees and asylum seekers to boost their self-pride, livelihood, and safety. Their main activities are: monthly mental health and wellness sessions; monthly HIV/AIDS voluntary counselling and testing; monthly security briefs and safe housing; and advocacy for trans rights.

Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO (Armenia)
Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO was founded in 2016 in Armenia. Their mission is to ensure well-being, protection, and equality of trans community and sex workers in Armenia by achieving social-cultural and legal changes through cooperation with state bodies, civil society and with international organizations. They currently work in three strategic areas: 1) Human rights lobbying and advocacy; 2) Community mobilization, safety, health, and well-being; 3) Public awareness raising and social-cultural changes.

Rise Initiative for Women Rights Advocacy – RiWA (South Sudan)
Rise Initiative for Women Rights Advocacy-RiWA was founded in 2018 in South Sudan. They are a human rights organization that aims at increasing the capacity of the most vulnerable communities and is dedicated to meeting their needs in South Sudan. Their mission is to influence and implement sustainable programs that improves access to basic needs for marginalized communities in South Sudan. Their strategies and programs include: 1) Mental health and social well-being programs, educating the population on issues around mental health; 2) Capacity building and economic empowerment, supporting the potential and ability of our members through livelihood programs and ensuring sustainability of their lives; 3) Advocacy, research and data collection, which includes: a) conducting studies and research on the socio-cultural and anthropological conditions of most vulnerable communities; b) community outreach to different areas across South Sudan; and c) Documentation and research to develop recommendations for effective use.

Samabhabona (India)
Samabhabona was founded in 2013 in India. The group is led by and works with trans people experiencing intersectional oppressions, most are trans sex workers and trans Dalit people who suffer from economic uncertainty and impoverishment. Their main activities are: organizing trans working class and sex worker unions in Kolkata and surrounding suburb and rural areas; sensitization workshops and conversations around legislation with law enforcement, legal networks, educational institutions and public street events; emergency and immediate support to trans folks suffering from displacement; especially elder trans folks in medical crisis; legislative advocacy, meeting and lobbying with government bodies; taking part in national networks and protests to move against dangerous legislation and petitioning; legal consultations and awareness with the trans community; gathering personal lived experiences of trans folks and creating an ongoing resource where the community controls its own narrative; workshops around theatre, art and music as therapy to help community come together and express vulnerability and heal; skills based training such as English, art and computer classes to enable better opportunities and access for trans folks; creating public art pieces to start dialogue around trans feminism and to reclaim spaces; and digital advocacy to increase safety of sex workers and trans activists working and communicating online. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Síwo Alâr Hombres Trans Costa Rica (Costa Rica)
Síwo Alâr Hombres Trans Costa Rica was founded in 2016 in Costa Rica. Their mission is to be an organization by and for trans men that seeks to fight collectively for the recognition and exercise of human rights. Their activities are intended to generate a safe peer-led space, where they can talk about their lived experiences and share processes of gender transition, through fun activities, sports, and workshops. They also do advocacy work in public and private institutions as well as cultural centers, to raise the visibility and publicly fight for recognition.

T*Revers (Russia)
T*Revers was founded in 2015 in Russia. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for trans people in Southern Russia, to improve the level of socialization, to reduce transphobia in the society and internalized transphobia in the trans community, by means of informing the society and the community on trans issues. This also includes capacity-building of the community and consolidation of the community to defend their rights. Their main activities are: providing support for the transgender community; development of trans activism in the region; nourishing collaboration with professional medical communities; providing legal aid to trans people; cooperation with other trans groups in Russia; and increasing organizational capacity. They regularly conduct information and cultural events, support group meetings for transgender people, provide psychological and legal support. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2018 and 2019.

Project for transgender people and their close ones “T9 NSK” (Russia)
Project for transgender people and their close ones “T9 NSK” was founded in 2015 in Siberia, Russia. Their goals are to raise visibility of trans people in society, developing advocacy work by broadening the network of friendly specialists; educate, share experiences and support for trans and LGBT groups in Russia and abroad; encourage activists in Siberia and the Far East to establish new groups; raise capacity and resilience of the organization by attracting new activists, developing new skills, launching new projects and programs; and reduce internalized stigma among the trans community. Their main activities are: advocacy to promote rights of trans people (at various levels); support for the trans community (psychological support and support groups); raising capacity of the trans movement (through events, consultations, printing brochures and peer-to-peer services); and development of services and programs aimed at health protection for trans people (development and implementation of health-protecting technologies, coordination service, HIV prevention, etc.).

Trans-Fuzja Foundation (Poland)
Trans-Fuzja was founded in 2008 in Poland. They provide psychological and legal support, support groups for trans persons (and their relatives). Currently, they are focusing on supporting activities in a disadvantaged political situation. They help individuals in difficult life situations and do interventions in crises (e.g., in schools). They want to focus on proactive approach by supporting local informal groups and organizations, they try to mobilize recipients of their services to create new groups in regional centers and introduce cultural activation. They cooperate with Polish LGBT and human rights organizations, work with medical, psychological, legal, and teaching communities to influence the change of attitudes towards trans persons in a situation when it is impossible to solve problems politically and through systemic changes by spreading knowledge about transgender issues as a main expert organization. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2018.

Trans(forming) (US)
Trans(forming) was formed in 2007 in the US. They are an intergenerational metro Atlanta membership-based organization led by and for trans, intersex, gender non-conforming, and/or non-binary people of color assigned female at birth. Through advocacy, education, leadership development, coalition-building, peer support, and direct service, they ensure that communities live with dignity, wellness, and connection for liberation. They address basic needs and build a sense of community among members, while also mobilizing to transform institutions and systems that oppress. Their key activities support the survival and leadership of members who are incarcerated, recently released, homeless, and/or living with HIV. The Trans(forming) Prison Project leads bi-weekly peer support groups inside institutions, educates prison wardens and assists gender diverse prisoners inside Georgia’s women’s prisons with accessing medical transition and other resources. When members are released, they provide referrals, information, volunteer opportunities, leadership development, transportation funds, and housing assistance. In addition, Trans(forming) develops education and outreach workshops on supporting trans a.f.a.b (assigned female at birth) individuals living with HIV. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

TransFormA (Macedonia)
TransFormA was formed in 2011 in Macedonia. They are the first community-based trans focused initiative in North Macedonia. Their mission is to achieve an inclusive society of all transgender people, in which they can lead quality lives with dignity. They address key issues faced by the trans community such as invisibility, violence, discrimination, lack of legal gender recognition and lack of regulation of medical procedures. The key activities are: working with the community; cooperation with institutions in working groups; and organizing a Visibility March on the 31st of March and organizing events on Transgender Remembrance Day. They have developed and fostered many partnerships in Macedonia and the Balkan region.

Transgender Assistance Program of Virginia (US)
Transgender Assistance Program of Virginia (TAPVA) was founded in 2015 in the US. They were created to end homelessness within the transgender community in Virginia and provide educational opportunities around the important fact that trans rights are human rights by explaining the intersectionality between homelessness, discrimination, socioeconomic status, and racism within their community. Their goal is to offer safe emergency and temporary transitional housing to homeless transgender adults in their community, and to help them find the additional resources they need to remove the barriers to self-sufficiency. Their program is unique because it is run by the transgender community for the transgender community and they firmly believe in, and encourage, trans visibility and education within all communities. TAPVA strives to educate groups and organizations around the intersections of all the issues that continue to marginalize the trans community in Virginia. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2019.

Transman Equality and Awareness Movement (TEAM) (Philippines)
Transman Equality and Awareness Movement (TEAM) was founded in 2014 in the Philippines. They seek to improve the lives of trans people through building awareness of trans issues and offering solutions when possible. They have done this through lectures, conversations and pushing for policy change at the local and regional level. They have worked closely with other civil society groups and been involved in research on anti-bullying and legal recognition and visibility events and conferences.

TransMissão: Associação Trans e Não-Binária (Portugal)
TransMissão: Associação Trans e Não-Binária was founded in 2017 in Portugal. They are a trans-only organization born from the mobilization for the 2018 legal gender recognition law and aimed at social justice for trans and non-binary people. Their main activities are: social media publications; public and trans-centered events (screenings, debates, conferences); trans-only community events like meals or picnics; the first public gathering for the Trans Day of Remembrance in Portugal and the organizing of the trans and intersex bloc in Pride March; work with the city hall of Lisbon on a House of Diversity project; and work with parliament members, with the Ministry of Health on best practices, and with the secretary of State to citizenship and equality.

TransWave Jamaica (Jamaica)
TransWave Jamaica was founded in 2015 in Jamaica. Their mission is to promote change which results in the social inclusivity, recognition of rights, and legal protection of the transgender and gender non-conforming community. Their main activities are: engage in sensitization sessions with key stakeholders, including private-sector agencies, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and the media; provide much-needed safe space, social activities, and support engagement to their community; and amplify the work of the organization through various social media and traditional media platforms. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2019.

Trans Boys Uruguay- Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia (Uruguay)
TBU- Trans Boys Uruguay- Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia was founded in 2014 in Uruguay. Their mission is to work for the rights of all trans children, adolescents, and men in the country. Their main activities are: sensitization and awareness workshops on trans topics, including in the educational and health areas; host groups for family members of trans children, trans adolescents, and one for adult trans men; and host monthly convenings for the entire collective to exchange experiences and support each other as a group.

Trans Este Podemos Avanzar (TEPA) (Dominican Republic)
Trans Este Podemos Avanzar (TEPA) was founded in 2012 in the Dominican Republic. They work to increase visibility, offer training, seek alternatives, and inform community members about their different areas of activity. One main objective is to decrease the incidence of HIV infection among trans people in the eastern part of Dominican Republic. Their main activities are: dialogue sessions; workshops and trainings on various subjects of current interest for the trans population in the Eastern part of the country; and collaboration with different clinics and hospitals in recruiting trans people to receive holistic health care with civil society organizations.

Trans Mreža Balkan (TMB) (Balkan region)
TMB – Trans Mreža Balkan was founded in 2014 in the Balkan region. They work in 8 countries in the region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia). Due to a shared language (BCMS), there is more focus on 4 countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia), but recently they have been working closely with activists in N. Macedonia and Slovenia and providing materials in multiple languages whenever possible (Albanian, BCMS, Macedonian, Slovenian, Romani, English). TMB’s mission is to empower local communities and individuals in the Balkans to promote human rights of trans, gender variant, and intersex (TGVI) people; support other TGVI people; raise visibility of TGVI identities, experiences, topics. Their main activities are: organize an annual community event, Transposium; develop and support community online; give frequent mentorship and support to TGVI groups and activists in the region; appear in media and develop social media campaigns; conduct surveys into their communities’ needs and priorities; develop a comprehensive research survey on healthcare; and promote and nurture trans cultural scene, including participating in art fairs, organizing exhibits, etc. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2018 and 2019.

UNITY (Togo)
UNITY was founded in 2017 in Togo. Their vision is a Togo where transgender people are free and flourishing without stigma and have access to appropriate healthcare services. The group strives to achieve this vision by working to build a strong and sustainable national movement through community mobilization, capacity-building, provision of healthcare services (including HIV care and transition), legal assistance and advocacy. The group is currently working on raising awareness, building the capacity of trans leaders, building the trans movement at the national level and the visibility of the trans movement through the celebration of key dates. This group was an ITF grantee partner in 2018 and 2019.

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