TDOR 2024: Supporting Trans Refugees

Refugee Trans Initiative is a group that has become a lifeline for trans refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya. Operating in a context of immense adversity, they have created safe spaces, advocated for trans rights, and empowered their community with life-changing resources.

The group established a safe house that provides shelter and protection for trans refugees facing violence, extortion, and discrimination. This safe house not only offers immediate security but also serves as a hub for critical support services. Partnering with other organizations which provide health services for trans sex workers, the group has built a network of care and protection for their community.

Their efforts extend beyond safety. They have implemented livelihood programs, equipping trans refugees with skills in farming and other trades, empowering them to rebuild their lives with dignity. They’ve conducted capacity-building sessions, ensuring participants gain knowledge about financial literacy, legal rights, and the transition process, including hormone treatment. Their psychological support programs, including family counseling and group therapy, have addressed the mental health challenges faced by their community, significantly reducing cases of suicide.

Advocacy remains central to their mission. Refugee Trans Initiatives have actively campaigned for transgender refugees in Kakuma, the largest refugee camp in Africa, providing food, clean water, and medical supplies while amplifying their stories to a wider audience. The organization also responds to incidents of arrests and police raids targeting trans refugees, providing legal support and protection for those affected.

Despite challenges like transphobia, police harassment, and cyber threats, Refugee Trans Initiative continues to fight for a world where trans refugees can live safely and with dignity. Their work is a powerful reminder of the resilience of trans communities and the critical role they play in advocating for justice and equality.

Continuing the Fight: Honoring Trans Lives Beyond Remembrance

Following the Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR), we at the ITF continue to honor the lives of trans and gender-diverse individuals lost to violence, discrimination, and systemic neglect. Their names remind us of the harsh realities many in our communities face, but they also call us to action—to ensure their legacies fuel a fight for a future where trans people thrive.

As a participatory grantmaker, the ITF is committed to resourcing trans-led organizations worldwide. These organizations are not just at the forefront of advocacy but also of healing, community-building, and imagining futures free from oppression. Through their work, we see the power of trans leadership in challenging inequality, protecting rights, and fostering resilience.

Every grant we make is a step toward justice, a declaration of solidarity, and a promise to the trans communities we serve. Together, we fight for systems and societies that celebrate diversity and uphold dignity.

Economic Empowerment for Trans Communities

In Yogyakarta, Indonesia, the Pondok Pesantren Waria Al Fatah has made history by establishing the country’s first officially recognized trans women’s cooperative. This groundbreaking achievement is a testament to the resilience and determination of a community often marginalized.

The journey began with strategic advocacy efforts. Representatives from the group engaged in hearings with the local government, including the Tourism Office. These discussions yielded critical commitments: the Tourism Office pledged to include trans businesses in government-run tourism events. This marked a significant step in demonstrating that trans women can play an active role in economic development.

The group also focuses on equipping trans women with essential business skills. In 2022, twenty trans women participated in a three-day business management workshop facilitated by the Indonesian Business Solutions College of Economics. The training covered marketing strategies, capital management, and operational planning, equipping participants with the tools to run successful businesses. Each participant received a small capital grant to jumpstart or strengthen their ventures. To ensure sustainability, facilitators conducted regular monitoring and evaluation, helping the businesses grow steadily.

As these efforts progressed, the vision of a formal cooperative began to take shape. In November, twenty trans entrepreneurs underwent cooperative and creative economy training, learning how to meet legal requirements and operate within Indonesia’s formal economy. After months of hard work, the Al Fatah Mukti Sejahtera Yogyakarta Marketing Cooperative was formally established with legal recognition from the government—a monumental achievement for the community.

The cooperative’s inauguration in January 2023 was a celebration of this milestone. Government officials, local organizations, and members of the community gathered to mark the occasion. The cooperative’s official status now enables it to apply for government funds and attract external support. Cross-faith organizations, such as the Christian Welfare Foundation and the Transgender Christian Prayer Fellowship, contributed capital, highlighting the inclusive and collaborative nature of the initiative.

The cooperative’s impact extends beyond economic empowerment. It has provided a safe space for trans women to connect, support one another, and build a sense of community. Families of trans women have also been involved, strengthening familial bonds and encouraging greater understanding. Additionally, the Pondok Pesantren Waria Al Fatah addressed broader challenges faced by trans women, such as household financial management, integrating this into their training programs.

The ITF is proud to have supported Pondok Pesantren Waria Al Fatah. To learn more about the group visit their page:
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The ITF has awarded $7,815,110 across 8 grant cycles to 214 grantee partners in 99 countries. Information about grantee partners from previous cycles is available on our website:
2023 Grantee Partners
202 2 Grantee Partners
2021 Grantee Partners
2020 Grantee Partners
2019 Grantee Partners
2018 Grantee Partners
2017 Grantee Partners

TDOR 2024: Advocacy, Education and Legislative Interventions

The Greek Transgender Support Association (GTSA) is a leading example of a grassroots organization working to eliminate violence against trans people and build a safer, more inclusive society. Through a mix of advocacy, direct support, and innovative initiatives, GTSA addresses systemic inequalities, empowers trans individuals, and fosters greater awareness of the issues faced by the trans community in Greece.

GTSA advocates for legislative changes that protect trans individuals and promote their rights. It successfully influenced anti-bullying policies to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression in educational legislation. Additionally, the organization secured provisions in prison reforms in Greece to ensure the placement of trans prisoners in facilities that align with their gender identity and offer protective measures when needed. GTSA also worked with the Ministry of Health to restore access to gender-affirming hormones, ensuring vital healthcare for trans individuals.

GTSA‘s work extends to addressing hate crimes and transphobia. In July 2023, the association publicly condemned the murder of a trans refugee and sex worker, highlighting the racist and transphobic motivations behind the attack. The group called for justice and advocated for an in-depth investigation by authorities, raising public awareness of violence against trans individuals.

Through ITF funding, GTSA maintained its office as a safe and inclusive space for trans and gender-diverse individuals. The office serves as a hub for mutual support, socialization, and empowerment, particularly for marginalized groups such as elderly trans people and parents of trans children. The group also pioneered the “Personal Development Youth Group,” a first-of-its-kind initiative in Greece that supports neurodiverse trans youth.

Despite its achievements, GTSA faces significant challenges. A conservative political climate and rising far-right rhetoric in Greece have exacerbated discrimination and violence against vulnerable groups, including the trans community. The lack of accessible funding within the trans community further limits the organization’s capacity to expand its initiatives.

Honoring Their Memory by Fighting for Our Future

As we approach the Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR), we reflect on the lives lost to violence and discrimination while celebrating the resilience and power of trans communities around the world. This year, we honor not only the memory of those who are no longer with us but also the incredible work of our grantee partners who fight for a better future. From eliminating violence and advocating for justice to educating, empowering, and building safe spaces, these trans-led organizations are at the forefront of creating lasting change.

To highlight this work, we are releasing a series of stories that showcase the inspiring efforts of ITF grantee partners around the world. Together, we honor the memory of those who came before us by continuing the fight for a future where trans people everywhere can live with dignity, safety, and freedom.

Eliminating Violence Against Trans People

In Ecuador, Centro Psico Trans by Asociación Silueta X stands as a critical example of a grassroots organization working to eliminate violence against trans people. This grantee partner is at the forefront of addressing systemic violence, including the horrors of conversion clinics, and advocating for the protection and mental health of trans communities.

In 2022, the group intervened in two harrowing cases involving detention in conversion clinics. One case centered on Karlina, an elderly trans woman forcibly confined in such a clinic. A video and public statement exposed her plight, prompting the Ombudsman’s Office to coordinate with the Prosecutor’s Office for her release. Similarly, Priscila, a non-binary individual, was detained by their parents in another clinic. Through swift action, including circulating a video and statement on social media, Silueta X drew media and authority attention, leading to Priscila’s immediate release.

In addition to these direct interventions, Asociación Silueta X focuses on broader systemic change. They launched an emotional intelligence manual to support the mental health of trans people and conducted sensitivity training for the national police to address violence against trans women in sex work.

Despite these efforts, the organization faces ongoing challenges, including targeted attacks on their offices—a clear indication of the persecution tied to their work. They continue to file complaints and advocate for safety measures, but the lack of action in hate crime cases underscores the urgent need for systemic change.

On Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR), we honor the memory of those lost to violence and celebrate the courage of organizations like Asociación Silueta X, whose work is a beacon of hope in the fight for justice, safety, and dignity for trans communities. Their relentless efforts remind us that protecting trans lives is not just about surviving today—it’s about building a future free from fear and violence.

The ITF is proud to support Asociación Silueta X across multiple grant cycles. To learn more about the group visit their pages:
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The State of Trans Organizing Report

The third edition of The State of Trans Organizing report is out now. This report presents new research demonstrating how global trans movements are under attack and severely under-resourced. With participation from 449 respondents worldwide, the research provides a critical snapshot of the priorities, activities, and needs of diverse trans organizations. This research is also a call to action for funders to step-up and provide support to address the needs of global trans movements.

This research was led by Global Philanthropy Project and GATE. The ITF joined as a donor partner alongside American Jewish World Service, Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice and Dreilinden. Notably, an earlier edition of The State of Trans Organizing report was instrumental in laying the foundation for the creation of the ITF as it underscored the urgent need for dedicated funding to sustain and amplify trans activism globally. Today, the ITF is proud to contribute to this updated research, which reinforces the essential role of responsive, sustained funding for the resilience and advancement of global trans movements.

Key Findings
Challenges of Violence and Harassment: Nearly all trans organizations (90%) report facing violence or harassment, including physical attacks, online harassment, and event disruptions. Additionally, 67% report threats from oppositional groups or individuals (e.g., “anti-gender,” etc.) and 36% face increased scrutiny from law enforcement or government agencies. This hostile environment forces organizations to divert resources toward security, impacting community support.

Limited Budgets: Trans organizations provide essential support to their communities, addressing advocacy, healthcare, safety, and arts & culture. Yet, the majority operate with very limited resources; half have budgets below $20,000, and 14% have no budget at all. This funding gap severely restricts their ability to meet growing needs.

Chronic Under-resourcing: Trans organizations also receive smaller grants than other LGBTI organizations, with most funds being short-term and project-specific. The vast majority of trans organizations (76%) received less than $50,000 of external funding in 2022, with nearly one-third (30%) receiving none.

Unbalanced Geographic Funding Support: Trans organizations operate across local, national, regional, and international levels, yet funding remains heavily concentrated in the Global North—93% of it directed toward the United States. Most trans organizations work nationally (72%), at city (36%), or state levels (25%), with additional work at regional and international levels (14% each), addressing issues from local to global scales.

However, the distribution of funding does not match this geographic reach. Regions like Asia and the Pacific receive disproportionately low funding compared to their large populations.

Call to Action for Funders:

Increase overall funding with larger grants and a broader donor base.
Promote sustainable funding through multi-year and core funding to provide stability.
Prioritize Global South and East organizations, where funding needs are highest.
Ensure responsive funding that addresses healthcare, employment, and movement-building as identified by trans activists.
Join efforts to mobilize, activate, and defend global trans funding.

Report Launch Webinar

Global Philanthropy Project (GPP) is hosting a launch webinar in December to present key findings and recommendations. Join to learn how these reports, used since 2013 to improve trans and intersex funding, can now help advocate for greater support and be shared throughout the coming year.

Date: December 11, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. EDT (GMT-04:00).

Join the Launch Webinar

This webinar is open to all. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in English, Spanish, and French (with additional languages to be confirmed).

Why Support Trans Organizing?
Around the world and across time, people who defied gender norms have held diverse roles, from healers to outcasts, warriors to divine figures. With colonization, these identities were suppressed, deemed sinful, criminal, or disordered, forcing trans and gender-diverse people to navigate severe medical, legal, and social repression. Even in places where minimal recognition was granted, it often came with harsh conditions, leaving many in poverty and facing violence and stigma.

Over the past 80 years, trans activists have organized locally and globally, challenging injustice and securing rights such as legal gender recognition, gender-affirming healthcare, and research into trans issues. Despite these gains, today’s movement faces threats from social exclusion, war, climate change, and anti-trans campaigns. Supporting trans organizing is crucial to sustaining progress and advancing trans justice.