Une archive d'histoires/d'h(i)stories/de leurstories affectant et influençant les personnes trans, diverses de genre et intersexe Mouvements en Afrique
Cette chronologie de nos archives d'histoires trans, genre diverses et intersexes en Afrique et dans la diaspora est née des expériences et des souvenirs de militants et d'organisations africains.
Elle est souvent mise à jour avec de nouvelles histoires et la chronologie ne cesse de s'agrandir.
Comment naviguer dans la ligne de temps
Les catégories sont affichées par ordre alphabétique en haut de la chronologie et peuvent être utilisées pour filtrer les résultats afin de se concentrer sur le thème de recherche choisi. Par exemple, « Toutes » affichera tous les sujets, tandis que « Intersexe » affichera toutes les entrées relatives aux mouvements et moments intersexe.
Alternativement, utilisez la barre de recherche dans le menu en haut et en bas de l'écran pour trouver des informations plus spécifiques.
Les catégories relatives au genre, aux caractéristiques sexuelles et à l'orientation sexuelle sont assorties d'icônes et de groupes de couleurs pour les distinguer visuellement les unes des autres :
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Jeunesse
2007 - Gender Dynamix (GDX) devient la première organisation africaine à devenir membre de la WPATH, Afrique du Sud
L'organisation sud-africaine Gender DynamiX (GDX) a été la première organisation africaine à devenir membre de la WPATH en 2007. En août 2014, GDX et la clinique transgenre multidisciplinaire de l'hôpital Groote Schuur du Cap ont collaboré pour soumettre une candidature à l'Association professionnelle mondiale pour la santé des transgenres (WPATH) en vue d'accueillir la conférence internationale de la WPATH en 2018.
Février 2007 - Gender DynamiX organise une formation de sensibilisation aux questions trans avec The Inner Circle (TIC), la première association musulmane queer d'Afrique du Sud.
En février 2007, Gender DynamiX (GDX) a organisé un atelier de sensibilisation à la transidentité avec le personnel de la Le cercle intérieur, plus tard connu sous le nom de Fondation Al-Fitrahà Cape Town, en Afrique du Sud. L'Inner Circle a été fondé par le premier imam ouvertement gay au monde, Muhsin Hendricks, en tant que groupe permettant aux musulmans gays de naviguer entre leur foi islamique et leur identité sexuelle. Malheureusement, l'imam Hendricks est décédé le 15 février 2025, assassiné lors d'une attaque haineuse présumée. Liesl Theronqui dirigeait l'atelier, a dit ceci de l'imam Hendricks :
"Il était doux, gentil, avait un grand sens de l'humour, était un pionnier, un activiste, un leader, internationalement connu et aimé. Il nous manquera beaucoup."
Extrait de l'atelier de sensibilisation à la transidentité organisé par Gender DynamiX avec le personnel de The Inner Circle. L'imam Muhsin Hendricks est au centre, et la directrice exécutive de Gender DynamiX à l'époque, Liesl Theron, est à côté de lui à droite.
À la mémoire de l'imam Muhsin Hendricks
Juin 2017 - Tholulwazi Uzivikele, une organisation de défense des droits de l'homme, rencontre l'imam Hendricks (au centre) à The Inner Circle pour approfondir leurs connaissances sur la communauté queer au sein de l'islam. Photo tirée de la page Instagram de la fondation Al-Fitrah.
Né en 1967 au Cap, il a consacré sa vie à réconcilier foi et identité et à soutenir les musulmans marginalisés. Bien qu'il ait été rejeté et constamment menacé de mort, il a créé Masjidul Ghurbaah, une mosquée ouverte à tous, et a réinterprété des textes islamiques pour promouvoir l'acceptation des musulmans homosexuels. Il a fondé The Inner Circle en 1996 et a mené son travail spirituel à la mosquée Masjidul Ghurbaah, également connue sous le nom de "Mosquée du peuple". Son travail a permis à d'innombrables personnes de réconcilier leur foi et leur identité.
Muhsin Hendricks est devenu le premier imam au monde ouvertement homosexuel lorsqu'il a fait son coming out à la fin des années 1990. Né au Cap, en Afrique du Sud, on lui doit la création de la première mosquée LGBTQ+ du pays. Au cours de deux décennies d'activisme, il a cherché à aider les musulmans homosexuels à réconcilier leur foi avec leur orientation sexuelle. 🎙️ Reporter : Lucy Middleton au Cap #lgbtqrights#lgbtnews#capetown
Hendricks a organisé des ateliers pour des imams dans toute l'Afrique, les aidant à développer une compréhension inclusive du genre et de la sexualité au sein de l'Islam. Julia Ehrt, directrice exécutive de l'Association internationale des lesbiennes, gays, bisexuels, trans et intersexes (ILGA), a exhorté les autorités à enquêter sur "ce que nous craignons être un crime de haine". Il a soutenu et encadré tant de personnes en Afrique du Sud et dans le monde entier dans leur quête de réconciliation avec leur foi, et sa vie a été un témoignage de la guérison que la solidarité entre les communautés peut apporter dans la vie de chacun", a-t-elle déclaré. Le travail de M. Hendricks en Afrique était considéré comme essentiel, car l'homosexualité y est encore illégale dans 31 des 54 pays, l'Afrique du Sud étant le seul pays du continent à autoriser le mariage entre personnes du même sexe.
"Le besoin d'être authentique est plus grand que ma peur de mourir.
Nos pensées, en tant qu'équipe de Trans & Intersex History Africa, vont à la famille de l'Imam, à ses amis, à ses collègues, à ceux qu'il conseillait spirituellement et aux nombreuses personnes dont il a touché la vie. Ce meurtre insensé tourne en dérision la constitution sud-africaine et les valeurs d'inclusion et de célébration de la différence qui nous sont chères à tous, en particulier dans nos mouvements trans et intersexes en Afrique, et nous appelons les services de police et le gouvernement sud-africains à rendre justice à un homme qui était un Sud-Africain et un être humain exemplaire.
Elspeth Engelbrecht, du Triangle Project, a rédigé cette émouvante notice nécrologique :
En février 2007, Gender DynamiX (GDX) a organisé un atelier de sensibilisation au transgenre avec le personnel de The Inner Circle, connu plus tard sous le nom de Al-Fitrah Foundation, au Cap, en Afrique du Sud. The Inner Circle a été fondé par le premier imam ouvertement gay au monde, Muhsin Hendricks. Il s'agit d'un groupe permettant aux musulmans gays de naviguer entre leur foi islamique et leur identité sexuelle. Malheureusement, [...]
En mai 2007, laAssociation internationale des lesbiennes et des gays (ILGA) a organisé une conférence à Johannesburg dans le but de la création d'une organisation qui leur est affiliée sur le continent africain - a Association panafricaine d'agriculture et d'élevage (PAI). La PAI est une fédération d'organisations africaines qui œuvrent à l'amélioration des droits de l'homme fondés sur l'orientation sexuelle et l'identité et l'expression de genre (SOGIE). La PAI organise des conférences régionales annuelles dans différents endroits d'Afrique. Sa troisième conférence régionale, la plus grande conférence LGBTIQ+ africaine à l'époque, s'est tenue au Botswana en juin 2018. PAI est l'organisateur et l'hôte de la conférence régionale LGBTQIA+, qui rassemble des militants de toute l'Afrique et de l'étranger.
Contexte
Le caucus africain devait déterminer la constitution d'ILGA-Africa et l'une des décisions a été d'établir l'Assemblée générale de l'ILGA-Africa. Association panafricaine d'agriculture et d'élevage (PAI) board, the number of board members, and their regional representation, as well as the representation of identities relating to sexuality diversity. In terms of regional representation, the caucus emphasised that because the continent is huge and diverse in cultures, experiences, and issues, giving attention to diversity was one way to ensure regional representation. At first, there was a motion that there should be 10 board members, 2 each from North, South, East, West, and Central African regions. In relation to the representation of sexuality identities, the caucus decided that each region should be represented by board members equally divided between gays and lesbians, which was the mandate of parent organisation, ILGA World.
At this point, a handful of activists pushed back on the exclusion of trans and intersex representation and advocated for the inclusion of one more board member who could be from any region, but who is as trans and/or intersex. This motivation influenced the PAI Board to agree to this inclusion, thereby broadening the scope of PAI to include diversity of gender identity, gender expression, and sexual characteristics. ILGA World agreed and amended their policy. In 2007 when the board was formed, there was no well-identified trans or intersex activist who could fill this board position. The activists and board members insisted that there had to be trans and/or intersex representation on the inaugural board, so they advocated for Liesl Theron, co-founder of DynamiX Genre, to fill this board position. While Liesl is cisgender, the activists felt that her work in trans advocacy would serve as trans representation on the board. Liesl agreed with the provision that she would be a placeholder board member for up to one year while the board sought a trans and/or intersex activist to take over from her.
Liesl resigned a year after her nomination, as agreed, and was succeeded in the mid-term by PAI’s first trans board member in 2008. The inclusion of an additional board position to ensure trans or intersex representation was a milestone achievement for African trans and intersex activists, the trans and intersex movements in Africa, and the African LGBTIQ+ movements as a whole.
Vision
Un mouvement panafricain qui promeut et respecte l'intégrité corporelle et l'égale protection des droits de l'homme indépendamment de la culture, de la religion et de la foi, de l'orientation sexuelle, de l'identité et de l'expression de genre, et des caractéristiques sexuelles.
La mission
unifier et renforcer l'organisation des LGBTI en Afrique afin de contester les législations nationales qui entravent les activités liées au SOGIE.
En mai 2007, l'International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) a organisé une conférence à Johannesburg dans le but de créer une organisation affiliée à l'ILGA sur le continent africain - une ILGA panafricaine (PAI). La PAI est une fédération d'organisations en Afrique qui travaillent à l'amélioration des droits de l'homme basés sur l'orientation sexuelle et l'identité de genre [...]
Entre 2007 et 2022, la défense juridique des personnes intersexuées au Kenya a connu des avancées massives. Le litige d'action stratégique (SAL) est un processus de droit d'intérêt public par lequel les membres d'un groupe marginalisé saisissent délibérément et de manière proactive un tribunal dans le but d'établir un précédent juridique positif dont les implications juridiques vont au-delà des parties immédiates au litige. Ce type spécifique de litige vise à obtenir un changement social plus large. La visibilité intersexe du Kenya a commencé par ce type de litige, qui a permis de faire progresser les droits des intersexes plus rapidement que dans d'autres pays africains. Cet article met stratégiquement en lumière les deux affaires judiciaires qui ont fait progresser la défense des droits des personnes intersexuées au Kenya.
L'affaire R.M. c. Attorney General & 4 Others (2010), Petition No. 705 of 2007 Kenya, High Court
Cette bataille juridique historique a mis en lumière les droits des personnes intersexuées et a remis en question l'absence de reconnaissance et de protection juridiques à leur égard.
Richard Musya (R.M.), le requérant dans cette affaire, est né intersexué, avec des organes génitaux ambigus, et a été élevé comme un homme par ses parents. Au Kenya, comme dans de nombreuses régions du monde, la compréhension médicale et sociétale des conditions d'intersexualité était limitée. Les personnes intersexuées étaient souvent confrontées à la stigmatisation, à la discrimination et aux pressions exercées pour qu'elles se conforment aux normes binaires de genre par le biais d'interventions chirurgicales ou d'autres moyens.
R.M. a dû faire face à d'importants défis liés à son statut d'intersexe, notamment des difficultés à obtenir une reconnaissance juridique pour l'emploi et le mariage, ainsi que des documents tels qu'un certificat de naissance reflétant fidèlement son identité. Ce manque de documents a affecté de nombreux aspects de leur vie, notamment l'accès à l'éducation, aux soins de santé et aux services sociaux.
R.M. a ensuite été arrêté et, dans l'attente de son procès, il a été isolé en raison de son intersexualité. Après avoir été condamnés, les requérants ont été transférés dans une prison de haute sécurité pour hommes, où ils ont subi des traitements inhumains et dégradants de la part des autorités pénitentiaires.
R.M. a porté l'affaire devant la Haute Cour du Kenya, arguant que l'État avait violé ses droits constitutionnels en ne fournissant pas une reconnaissance et une protection juridiques adéquates aux personnes intersexuées. L'affaire était fondée sur plusieurs dispositions constitutionnelles, notamment le droit à la dignité, à l'égalité et à l'absence de discrimination fondée sur le sexe. R.M. demandait la délivrance d'un certificat de naissance reflétant fidèlement son statut intersexuel sans imposer une désignation masculine ou féminine. Ils ont contesté la discrimination systémique à laquelle sont confrontées les personnes intersexuées au Kenya, en plaidant pour une reconnaissance juridique et sociale de leur identité unique. L'affaire a attiré l'attention sur les pressions exercées sur les personnes intersexuées pour qu'elles subissent des procédures médicales inutiles afin de se conformer aux normes de genre binaires.
Tout au long de l'affaire, divers experts, notamment des professionnels de la santé, des défenseurs des droits de l'homme et des personnes intersexuées, ont témoigné sur la nature des conditions intersexuées et les questions de droits de l'homme en jeu. L'équipe juridique du requérant a fait valoir que l'absence de reconnaissance et la classification binaire forcée violaient les droits fondamentaux de R.M..
Le jugement
La Haute Cour a fait droit à la demande de dommages-intérêts de R.M. pour traitement inhumain et dégradant aux mains de l'État, mais a rejeté toutes les autres demandes. Cette affaire a fait œuvre de pionnier en matière de litiges d'intérêt public sur les défis auxquels sont confrontées les personnes intersexuées. Elle a permis à la Cour de consacrer le principe selon lequel les personnes intersexuées ne doivent pas être soumises à des peines ou traitements cruels, inhumains et dégradants, en particulier lors d'une arrestation ou d'une perquisition.
E.A. & Another v. Attorney General & 6 others (Baby 'A' case) [2014], Petition No. 266 of 2013 Kenya
Le bébé A, qui est né intersexué avec des organes génitaux ambigus, a été marqué " ?" sur leurs documents juridiques.
La mère du bébé A (E.A.), la requérante dans cette affaire, a été confrontée à plusieurs difficultés en essayant d'enregistrer la naissance de son bébé, ce qui nécessitait une catégorie de sexe déterminée comme étant masculine ou féminine - catégories auxquelles son bébé ne correspondait pas. En conséquence, son bébé n'a pas reçu d'acte de naissance. Dans ces cas, de nombreux enfants intersexués sont contraints de subir une chirurgie corrective, ce qui porte atteinte à leur droit à l'autonomie et entraîne de nombreux autres problèmes plus tard dans leur vie d'adulte.
E.A. a porté l'affaire devant la Haute Cour, affirmant que l'absence d'acte de naissance prive le bébé d'une reconnaissance juridique (poursuite pour discrimination légale) et de la possibilité de jouir d'autres droits tels que le droit à l'éducation et aux soins médicaux.
Le jugement
La Cour n'a trouvé aucune preuve de discrimination à l'encontre du bébé A et a estimé que ni l'hôpital ni la Cour n'avaient violé les droits du bébé. La Cour a confirmé que le bébé était intersexué et que, pour éviter toute discrimination future, le bébé A et les autres enfants intersexués devaient être enregistrés par l'officier d'état civil.
La Cour a déterminé qu'il était nécessaire d'établir des lignes directrices, des règles et des règlements concernant les opérations chirurgicales sur les personnes intersexuées, et que le gouvernement devait recueillir des données sur les personnes intersexuées. Toutefois, elle a également estimé qu'il n'était pas de son ressort d'établir de telles lignes directrices ou de superviser la collecte de données et a donc chargé le gouvernement d'assumer ces responsabilités.
Développements ultérieurs pour la communauté intersexe au Kenya
À la suite de ces deux arrêts, des efforts ont été déployés au Kenya pour améliorer le cadre juridique des personnes intersexuées. Il s'agit notamment de plaider en faveur de lois antidiscriminatoires complètes, de meilleures politiques de santé et d'une sensibilisation accrue du public afin de réduire la stigmatisation et la discrimination à l'égard des personnes intersexuées.
L'affaire R.M. a marqué un tournant dans la promotion des droits des personnes intersexuées au Kenya et dans toute l'Afrique. Elle a créé un précédent en matière de reconnaissance et de protection juridiques, suscitant des discussions sur les réformes juridiques et politiques nécessaires pour soutenir les personnes intersexuées. L'affaire a également permis de sensibiliser le public aux questions liées à l'intersexualité, contribuant ainsi à un mouvement plus large en faveur d'une plus grande visibilité et d'une meilleure acceptation.
L'affaire Baby A a déclenché des réformes sur les droits des personnes intersexuées au Kenya. En 2014, le Loi sur les personnes privées de liberté a été promulguée et a défini pour la première fois le terme "intersexe" dans la législation kenyane.
En 2017, le procureur général a mis sur pied le groupe de travail sur les réformes politiques, juridiques, institutionnelles et administratives concernant les personnes intersexuées. Ce groupe de travail a fait rapport au gouvernement kenyan sur la situation des droits de l'homme des personnes intersexuées au Kenya et a recommandé des réformes législatives pour reconnaître et protéger les droits des personnes intersexuées au Kenya, et a appelé à la collecte de données statistiques sur les personnes intersexuées. L'inclusion des personnes intersexuées dans les données statistiques au Kenya a fait du Kenya le premier pays africain à inclure des données sur les personnes intersexuées dans son recensement en 2019. 1 524 personnes intersexuées ont été recensées, un nombre estimé inférieur au nombre réel car de nombreux numérateurs n'ont pas inclus la question du marqueur de genre "I" et on pense que de nombreuses personnes n'ont toujours pas révélé leur vérité.
Le procureur général a également créé le Comité de coordination de la mise en œuvre pour les personnes intersexuées (IPICC)La Commission nationale des droits de l'homme du Kenya a été créée pour superviser et coordonner la mise en œuvre des politiques et des programmes concernant les droits et le bien-être des personnes intersexuées au Kenya. Dans la foulée, le président kenyan a nommé le premier commissaire intersexe à la Commission nationale des droits de l'homme du Kenya.
Loi sur l'enfance, 2022 a introduit des dispositions importantes pour les enfants intersexués. La loi stipule que les enfants intersexués doivent être traités avec respect et bénéficier d'un accès égal aux services essentiels, y compris les soins de santé, l'éducation et la protection sociale. Elle condamne également la discrimination à l'encontre des enfants intersexués dans les centres de protection de l'enfance et autres structures similaires. Un aspect essentiel de la loi est sa protection contre les opérations chirurgicales d'assignation de sexe non consenties et non nécessaires, stipulant que de telles procédures ne doivent avoir lieu que sur recommandation médicale. Les personnes qui enfreignent cette disposition sont passibles d'une amende minimale de $5 000. Bien que le fait de confier aux médecins le pouvoir de décision puisse présenter certains risques, cette législation représente une avancée significative et sert d'exemple aux défenseurs des droits des personnes intersexuées dans toute l'Afrique.
L'action stratégique en justice s'est révélée être un outil essentiel pour faire progresser les droits et les protections des personnes intersexuées au Kenya. Les efforts juridiques et sociaux continus font partie d'un voyage que le Kenya a entrepris pour parvenir à la pleine reconnaissance et à la protection des droits des personnes intersexuées. Il s'agit d'une combinaison d'efforts de la part des praticiens du droit, des activistes, des décideurs politiques et de la communauté dans son ensemble. En persévérant dans ces efforts, on peut espérer un avenir où les personnes intersexuées pourront vivre librement et dignement, en bénéficiant des mêmes droits et protections que tous les autres citoyens kenyans.
Entre 2007 et 2022, la défense juridique des personnes intersexuées au Kenya a connu des avancées massives. Le litige d'action stratégique (SAL) est un processus de droit d'intérêt public par lequel les membres d'un groupe marginalisé saisissent délibérément et de manière proactive un tribunal dans le but d'établir un précédent juridique positif avec des implications juridiques qui vont au-delà [...]
Juillet 2007 - House of Rainbow et Gender DynamiX tendent la main aux femmes transgenres nigérianes, Nigeria
In 2007 Nigerian Reverend Jide Macaulay from House of Rainbow attended the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA)meeting in Johannesburg. This ILGA conference presented the opportunity for organisations to meet and network and important organisational relationships formed. The conference was the beginning of the alliance between House of Rainbow and DynamiX Genre(GDX).
The meeting with the 7 trans women in Lagos, Nigeria came about after a discussion Liesl Theron from GDX had with Jide during the ILGA meeting. At the time, Liesl had existing plans to visit Nigeria to attend a course and Jide offered to meet with her while in Lagos in order to introduce her to the trans women he knew. The meeting in Lagos between Liesl and the trans women was an informal discussion to share struggle experiences, learn from each other, and to create networks for allyship.
“Unfortunately, I do not have any photos or names of the seven trans women we met, many of them have either emigrated or passed away under differing circumstances. This is a dark part of our existence. We were forced to shut down in 2008, many dispersed and many are no longer part of our organisation, all of this happened 16 years ago. I recall so many things from memory but it has been a difficult mission as we have suffered bereavements that are unimaginable.” — Rev. Jide Macaulay.
On 12 August 2024, Victor Mukasa from Trans and Intersex History Africa (TIHA) had a live Facebook conversation with Reverend Jide about this meeting and his and House of Rainbow’s part in the early trans movement in Africa. You can watch the recording of this interview ici:
About House of Rainbow
House of Rainbow started in 2006 as a safe place for LGBTIQ+ people of faith in a hostile context. Reverend Jide Macaulay started House of Rainbow as a weekly gathering for LGBTIQ+ Christians in Lagos, which the media soon described as ‘Nigeria’s First Gay Church’. The foundation of its work is to create a place of safety for black LGBTIQ+ people of faith.
Values
From House of Rainbow’s website:
“Many of those who turn to us for support have endured discrimination and abuse not only from their families and cultural contexts but also from their religious institutions. Our first message to those dealing with religious homophobia is that it is OK to be LGBTIQ+. We provide support and encouragement, especially to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer (LGBTIQ+) people of colour, that it is OK to be LGBTIQ+ and be a person of faith. Through one to one support, group gatherings and training workshops, we help people over time to heal and celebrate they are. We also provide support and encouragement to families and allies.”
Services
House of Rainbow provides the following services:
Pastoral care
Spirituality and faith
Asylum Seekers’ support
Peer support
Campaigns, workshops and training: Using evidence-based resources, House of Rainbow provides a range of seminars on important health topics such as sexual health, mental health, faith and spirituality.
July 2007 — House of Rainbow and Gender DynamiX Reach Out to Nigerian Trans Women, Nigeria In 2007 Nigerian Reverend Jide Macaulay from House of Rainbow attended the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) meeting in Johannesburg. This ILGA conference presented the opportunity for organisations to meet and network and important organisational […]
2007 - Création de la Rainbow Identity Association (RIA), Botswana
Skipper Mogapi and a handful of self-identified trans and intersex persons formed a support group in Botswana in 2007 that would later be known as the Rainbow Identity Association (RIA). The founding of RIA was a result of the influence of the awareness raised at the ARC International conference in Johannesburg in December 2007 and the meeting of the Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL) feminist institute in Mozambique in February 2008. RIA officially registered in 2010 as the first trans and intersex persons and community in Botswana, and began operating independently in September 2011, after using DynamiX Genre as its fiscal host since 2007. RIA is an NGO advocating for human rights of people who identify as transgender and intersex in Botswana. It was founded out of lack of safe space for transgender and intersex persons.
In announcing the formation of RIA, Mogapi said,
“We aim to create open and safe spaces for transgender communities where human rights values are respected and upheld so that transgender people can find their voices. We want to educate the general public on issues of sexuality, gender identity, and to facilitate the creation of stakeholder forums nationally to assist in the dissemination of information.”
Vision
To socially and legally recognise transgender and intersex persons in Botswana.
La mission
To advocate for the inclusion of transgender and intersex persons in national policies and legal frameworks.
2007 — Formation of Rainbow Identity Association (RIA), Botswana Skipper Mogapi and a handful of self-identified trans and intersex persons formed a support group in Botswana in 2007 that would later be known as the Rainbow Identity Association (RIA). The founding of RIA was a result of the influence of the awareness raised at the ARC International conference in Johannesburg […]
Gold medallist Paralympian, Tshotlego* Morama (now Paul Morama) from Botswana underwent gender verification tests in August 2007 after a win in the 800m and 400m races at the Africa Senior Championships in Mozambique. There had already been a media spectacle in Botswana over Morama’s gender/sex (these two terms are used synonymously in Botswana) as Morama was assigned the female gender at birth.
As a medal-winning athlete at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, Morama was already on the IAAF’s (International Amateur Athletic Federation and International Association of Athletics Federations, now known as World Athletics) radar, and when they learned about the tests performed at the 2007 Africa Championships and the media spectacle that had surrounded Morama, the IAAF decided to perform their own gender verification tests on him. The IAAF tests showed a variation in Morama’s sex characteristics and determined that he has an intersex condition.
Morama was the first and remains the only, athlete to represent Botswana at the Paralympics.
* This is the first name under which Morama’s gold medal and Olympic accomplishments are listed in online searches, so we are forced to use his deadname (previous name before coming out and living as trans), but we acknowledge him as Paul Morama.
Gold medallist Paralympian, Tshotlego* Morama (now Paul Morama) from Botswana underwent gender verification tests in August 2007 after a win in the 800m and 400m races at the Africa Senior Championships in Mozambique. There had already been a media spectacle in Botswana over Morama’s gender/sex (these two terms are used synonymously in Botswana) as Morama […]
September 2007 — Historic Claiming of Space for Trans People Within the African LGBT Movement: The Nairobi Trans Declaration, Kenya
Before Victor Mukasa sought asylum in the USA, in fear for his life, he was flown to Nairobi, Kenya, by fellow activists so that he could be safe, and also take part in the first Changing Spaces, Changing Faces conference held in Nairobi in September 2007. It was at this conference that the Nairobi Trans Declaration, drafted by trans people the night before the conference, was presented.
“Changing Faces, Changing Spaces is a Pan African Conference that brings together human rights activists and organizations, health and legal professionals, allies and donor partners from across Africa and beyond, undertaking and supporting African sex worker and LGBTIGNC activism. We deliberate, strategize and share the experiences that impact our movements. It is unique in the sense that it is a conference conceptualized and planned by a task force comprised by activists from the LGBTI and sex worker movements in Africa.”
From the Conference report: Changing Faces, Changing Spaces: Speaking Out for Sexual Minorities in East Africa
“In September 2007 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) activists from across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda and Burundi came together to meet with East African human rights organisations, HIV service providers and 16 donor representatives, many based in the global North, to discuss the history and trajectory of funding and support for LGBTI rights in the region.
The ‘Changing Faces, Changing Spaces’ conference, hosted by the Kenya Human Rights Commission and the Gay & Lesbian Coalition of Kenya, brought together a diverse group of individuals; transgender activists from Uganda; representatives from US-based donors; gay and lesbian human rights defenders from Tanzania; male sex workers from Kenya; and lesbian activists from South Africa. The conference provided a forum for debate and discourse with individuals from the regions’ women’s and human rights movements, HIV organisations and donors based in East Africa, with the aim of providing a platform for dialogue between these key stakeholders. This pioneering conference was successful in creating enhanced transparency and in fostering a framework of mutual understanding in which LGBTI funding and activism can be strengthened and expanded.”
In our Archival Talk Show interview with Victor on the 6th of June 2025, he speaks about how the Nairobi Trans Declaration came about. The reason he had to flee Uganda, apart from the court case he had initiated against the Ugandan government after his house was unlawfully raided and he was illegally detained, he was approached by Bombastic Magazine, which wanted to do a feature on him. But they insisted that they would not publish the article without a picture of him with his chest bound, or him binding his chest (this was before Victor had had top surgery). Victor refused, feeling that he was being objectified, and that the picture would have nothing to do with the important story he had to tell.
Here Victor speaks about the night he arrived in Nairobi (this is a transcription of the video clip below):
“And I said, I want to meet trans people tonight in Nairobi. And they called the trans women. They called each other. And before I knew it, I was surrounded by so many trans people. Probably about 15. So many means 15. 15 then was a big number. They were surrounding me at this. And we were drinking all night.
But I told them the story and I told them how angry I am, and everybody was telling their stories of how angry some people in the LGBTQ community have met the feel how they have felt like killing themselves even for what family has made them fail. Like these are trans people, gender non-conforming people telling the stories of the plight they have faced within the community.
And so anger that night was filled with anger from trans people. An idea came, I don’t remember how it came up, because we saw the program of the conference and we see, you see even in the conference, they have all these workshops taking place. They have all these panels taking place and still on the panels, there’s no representation of transgender people.* Changing Spaces is one of the products of the engagements with the donors. At the end of the engagements, we had a meeting in Nairobi, a meeting that now the, the Changing Faces, Changing Spaces comes from, which became a meeting that would happen almost, I think every year or every two years. So the next, the first changing phase, Changing Spaces is where this happened.
But we have been invited to Nairobi to witness and, you know, every activist was bringing out ideas. And then they decide, let’s draft a document. We are going to take over this conference at an opportune moment. And maybe it is in one of those sessions, we will all rise up and go and protest what the organisers have done here to exclude us from the real work at the conference.
So we drafted a document in that night. We called it the Nairobi Trans Declaration because we were going to make a declaration. And in that conference, indeed, at some point, in fact, we waited for the closure. We took over the mic and we took over the program for the event.
And we stood up there on the stage and read out our declaration. And that was a very, very big step and a very big move, and a historical moment for the trans movement in East Africa when we took up space and claimed a, a space where we were just on the menu and claimed it as our space. And it encouraged organising within the region so much.”
* (If you read the Conference report, you will see the lack of trans representation. The reading of the Trans Declaration is also omitted from the Report).
Watch the video clip that the above transcription is based on:
Watch the full interview with Victor from the 6th of June 2025:
September 2007 — Historic Claiming of Space for Trans People Within the African LGBT Movement: The Nairobi Trans Declaration, Kenya Before Victor Mukasa sought asylum in the USA, in fear for his life, he was flown to Nairobi, Kenya, by fellow activists so that he could be safe, and also take part in the first […]
Gender DynamiX (GDX)attended the ARC International conference in Johannesburg in December 2007. This was the first time that ARC held a conference in Africa, and it was at this conference that many self-identified trans people from other countries and trans-African activists met in person. This conference played a significant role in the preliminary understanding of trans in Africa, as the conference’s awareness-raising enabled African activists to have a new understanding of trans identities and trans-related issues. After the conference, a number of African activists contacted GDX to discuss their own awareness and autonomous claiming of trans as an identity.
The impact and significance of this trans awareness resulted in the founding of a trans and intersex organisation in Uganda early in 2008 (organisation name withheld to protect its members) and also led to the unfolding of a very tense regional feminist meeting in Mozambique in 2008.
Gender DynamiX (GDX) attended the ARC International conference in Johannesburg in December 2007. This was the first time that ARC held a conference in Africa, and it was at this conference that many self-identified trans people from other countries and trans-African activists met in person. This conference played a significant role in the preliminary understanding […]
Originally founded in 2000 as the Société intersexe d'Afrique du Sud (ISOSA) by Sally Gross, Intersex South Africa (ISSA) came into being in 2008, when Sally renamed the organisation. After Décès de Sally en 2014L'ISSA a été hébergée par Iranti, fondée en 2012 until it became a separate organisation in May 2023. ISSA advocates for the rights, dignity, and well-being of intersex individuals in South Africa and raises awareness, challenges stigma, and promotes inclusivity.
According to their website,
“ISSA seeks to contribute towards the creation of a world where being intersex variations are not seen as conditions, disorders or abnormalities but rather naturally occurring variations that are part of human diversity. We envision an inclusive and diverse South Africa where the human rights of intersex people are respected, protected and affirmed. A world world where the birth of an intersex child is celebrated like any other birth and where intersex people have the power and control over the decisions that affect their lives.
ISSA works to transform our communities into places where intersex people can freely make decisions without fear, force or coercion; whether they want to undergo any medical procedure or not. A society where all intersex persons are recognised as full citizens, enjoying their human rights and having access to quality and affirming health, education, counselling, employment, legal and social services and opportunities.”
Vision
To raise awareness of intersex issues in South Africa, and to promote the rights to bodily autonomy and integrity of all intersex persons.
Objectifs
ISSA
works at advancing the human rights of intersex persons at national level, and at regional and global level through collaborations
raises awareness of intersex issues nationally through a variety of methods such as media, internet-based platforms, events, campaigns, research, publications, etc.
provides support, information and advice to intersex persons and their guardians.
provides intersex-related technical assistance, education, training and advice to key stakeholders such as healthcare providers, teachers, policy makers, NHRIs, etc.
engages in legal and policy review, reform and drafting for the development on an enabling environment for the human rights of intersex persons.
engages in movement building, strategic partnerships and cross-movement learning and reflection.
Domaines d'intervention
Organising and strengthening ourselves
Movement building for change
Visibility, knowledge generation and information sharing
Capacity strengthening for key stakeholders and institutional change
ISSA’s Dimakatso ‘Garfield’ Sebidi, who sadly passed in 2025
ISSA’s Garfield Sebidi sadly passed in 2025. Iranti, the organisation which housed ISSA following Sally Gross’ death and until ISSA became a separate organisation in 2023, shared this message about Garfield:
“It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing of Dimakatso ‘Garfield’ Sebidi, who was a trailblazing advocate. Over the past decade, Garfield courageously championed intersex rights, shattering stigma and inspiring a generation of activists. Iranti is fortunate to have worked with them on numerous projects, where they shared their passion for the advocacy of intersex rights. Our heartfelt condolences to the Sebidi family, friends and the intersex community who have lost a true hero whose efforts have transformed countless lives. May Garfield forever live on in our hearts. You can read their work, titled Diary of a Proud Intersex Person or watch their video on the importance of ending IGM below.”
Originally founded in 2000 as the Intersex Society of South Africa (ISOSA) by Sally Gross, Intersex South Africa (ISSA) came into being in 2008, when Sally renamed the organisation. After Sally’s death in 2014, ISSA was housed by Iranti, founded in 2012 until it became a separate organisation in May 2023. ISSA advocates for the […]
2008 - Création du groupe de soutien à la matrice (MSG) et de l'association People's Matrix, Lesotho
The Matrix Support Group (MSG), also known as thePeople’s Matrix Association, was established in Lesotho in 2008. Although the NGO caters to the whole LGBTIQ+ community throughout Lesotho, they have a strong trans presence. Their founder and Executive Director, Tampose Mothopeng, is a trans man. They run a number of trans-specific programmes and research projects, such as the research project Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Health Needs Assessment in Lesotho, conducted in 2014. The organisation acquired its legal recognition in 2010 under the National Societies’ Act of 1966 and got re-registered in 2015.
Vision
A country where there is justice and freedom for all regardless of sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
La mission
People’s Matrix Association is dedicated to advancing human rights in Lesotho, with a particular focus on SSOGIE (Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression).
Executive Director, Tampose Mothopeng, speaking at an IDAHOT event, 2022
Values
Integrity: In our modus operandi, we are open, honest, respectful and take responsibility for our actions
Diversity: We seek to fathom the diverse circumstances and cultures of the Lesotho people and ensure that all experiences are respected and recognised
Partnerships: We broaden our impact by working with our partners, members and stakeholders on shared goals to achieve the best outcomes
Innovation: We consciously reflect and learn to improve our work and achieve our vision through being open to new ideas and fresh approaches
Excellence: We do what we do well and base our work on evidence of need and effectiveness
Impact: We strive to achieve maximum influence to promote visibility, health and well-being of LGBTIQA+ people, families and communities
2008 — Matrix Support Group (MSG) / People’s Matrix Association Established, Lesotho The Matrix Support Group (MSG), also known as the People’s Matrix Association, was established in Lesotho in 2008. Although the NGO caters to the whole LGBTIQ+ community throughout Lesotho, they have a strong trans presence. Their founder and Executive Director, Tampose Mothopeng, is […]
GDX decided to diversify the newly established trans representation in the region by inviting the activists who recently came out as trans to personally represent the trans voice at the meeting. At this stage, these activists were masculine identifying trans persons only. Tensions were heightened in this feminist space, as these trans activists all previously identified as lesbians, and most often took leadership roles in their respective countries’ organisations, so the issue of their assumed male privilege caused much debate.
This CAL meeting was very important for the African trans movement because many saw it as the first meeting of feminists and lesbians in which trans activists and trans issues were prominent. It was thefirst meeting in Africa where trans activists rejected the perception of lesbians and feminists in Africa that the decision to transition was a way of seeking male privilege.
The Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL) Feminist Institute in Maputo, Mozambique invited Gender DynamiX (GDX) to do a presentation on “Understanding Transgender” on 26 February 2008. This request was a result of the raised interest in trans understanding in Africa after the ARC International conference just two months prior. GDX decided to diversify the newly […]
This presentation was probably one of the first times that international LGBTIQ+ and human rights activists, and people in academic circles were confronted with the lived reality and struggles of trans people in Africa. This meeting gave GDX their first opportunity to meet and network with trans activists from other countries.
* If you read the article, take note of how language and terminology have changed over the years. The language and terminology used at the time of writing this article were very different from how we currently speak about trans people and trans issues.
From left to right: Richmond Tiemoko (ARSRC), Liesl Theron (GDX), and Khartini Slamah
The African Regional Sexuality Resource Centre (ARSRC) invited Gender DynamiX (GDX) to be their guest on 17 April 2008 at the “Beginning of a Global Dialogue on Transgender Rights” discussion. The meeting took place in New York and was hosted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. The paper GDX Director Liesl Theron presented […]
2008 — Création de la Support Initiative for People with Atypical Sex Development (SIPD), Ouganda
Founded by Julius Kaggwa in 2008, the Support Initiative for People with Atypical Sex Development (SIPD) was formed in Kampala, Uganda to create awareness and provide public education and capacity building about intersex issues for key stakeholders, and to mobilise allies and partners as a sustainable way of creating social change. Through these strategies they hope that civil society, government, and the general public will be more supportive of intersex children and people and their families. SIPD advocates, mediates and provides services for intersex people also known as intersex people throughout Uganda.
Vision
SIPD embodies a vision of a world whose appreciation of human beings transcends the present gender dichotomy and the oppressions and violence that this represents.
La mission
To create awareness of intersex / DSD (differences of sex development) conditions and advocate for a more open, tolerant and supportive society towards children and people with intersex conditions; and to advocate for protection, welfare and respect for the human rights of all such persons in Uganda.
Values
Many intersex people do not have access to appropriate information and may not be able to identify their condition with intersexuality. Given SIPD’s past and ongoing work and clout nationally and regionally, SIPD is well positioned to effect education and awareness on these issues; and create an environment that challenges our static definitions of sex and gender, so that sex indeterminate and gender variant children and people can access their right to freely make their own decisions regarding their sex and gender determination and access appropriate health care and support at will.
Objectifs
Break through the current superstitious boundaries by showcasing the reality and incidence of intersex conditions in our country and region.
Work towards a more compassionate, humane, open and tolerant society through innovative communication approaches, such as educational and informative awareness drives aimed at challenging the exclusion of this population affected by intersex conditions from social, legal, economic, spiritual, and political frameworks.
Increase the availability and clarity of information on intersex conditions and ensure that this information is appropriately interpreted at the grassroots level where most of the socially orchestrated marginalisation, hostility and ignorance originate.
Lay the foundation for SIPD as an advocacy and support organisation aimed at promoting the civil liberties and human rights of children and people affected by intersex conditions through the development and engagement of relevant change agents at community level – health workers, parents, community leaders, young people, religious and faith leaders, and school authorities – who will recognise and promote the development benefits of an open, informed, compassionate, and tolerant society.
2008 — Founding of the Support Initiative for People with Atypical Sex Development (SIPD), Uganda Founded by Julius Kaggwa in 2008, the Support Initiative for People with Atypical Sex Development (SIPD) was formed in Kampala, Uganda to create awareness and provide public education and capacity building about intersex issues for key stakeholders, and to mobilise allies […]
On 2 June 2008, Daisy Dube, a gender-variant person, and four friends who self-identified as drag queens, went out clubbing in the evening in Yeoville, Johannesburg. Men outside the club called them izitabane,* referring to their gender identity. In resistance, Daisy and her friends shouted back, asking them to stop insulting them by calling them izitabane. The men then started shooting at Daisy and her friends, resulting in Daisy’s death.
* ‘Izitabane’ is a Zulu word which roughly translates as “hermaphrodite”**. Izitabane is a derogatory slang term. More recently, the Zulu word ‘stabane’ became a more widely used derogatory term referring to any LGBTIQ+ person, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
** The term “hermaphrodite” was a scientific description of organisms (plants and animals) that have male and female reproductive organs. The term was also used to describe human beings, and outside of the medical context became derogatory, and an insult. In recent years the term “hermaphrodite” has been replaced by the term “intersex” in medical circles, and even more recently in many social circles, both thanks to the work of intersex activists.
On 2 June 2008, Daisy Dube, a gender-variant person, and four friends who self-identified as drag queens, went out clubbing in the evening in Yeoville, Johannesburg. Men outside the club called them izitabane,* referring to their gender identity. In resistance, Daisy and her friends shouted back, asking them to stop insulting them by calling them […]
Gender Dynamix (GDX)’sTebogo Nkoana and Liesl Theron delivered presentations at the Gender Odyssey Conference in August 2008. The proposals were accepted and Liesl, who was already in previous contact with the University of Washington Associate Professor, Amanda Lock Swarr, reached out to explore the possibility of presenting at the University while they were in Washington, so that they could benefit from more presentations, dialogues, interactions, and connections.
Amanda’s academic work focuses on queer, trans, and intersex people and communities in South Africa since 1997 and was therefore keen to set up meetings between GDX and thevarious departments from the University of Washington. Liesl and Tebogo were able to make presentations at both the Gender Odyssey Conference and the University of Washington and held meetings with faculty members and LGBTIQ+ students at the University’s Q-Center.
Tebogo, in making his presentations, focused on the intersections of culture and gender identity. Tebogo shared with the audience that contrary to the usual belief or rhetoric that homosexuality and being transgender are viewed as “un-African”, he felt that he had received acceptance from his African family, community, and loved ones, due tobeing called by a male ancestor.
GDX’s Liesl Theron and Tebogo Nkoana presenting at Gender Odyssey Seattle
Gender Dynamix (GDX)’s Tebogo Nkoana and Liesl Theron delivered presentations at the Gender Odyssey Conference in August 2008. The proposals were accepted and Liesl, who was already in previous contact with the University of Washington Associate Professor, Amanda Lock Swarr, reached out to explore the possibility of presenting at the University while they were in […]
Trans Bantu Zambia (TBZ), was formed on 14 September 2008 to bring about an end to discrimination against the trans community in Zambia. It is a youth-led non-profit organisation whose development objective is the improvement of the socioeconomic, political and legal status of trans-diverse and intersex people in Zambia. TBZ runs a variety of projects […]
In September 2009, the South African Film and Publications Board banned theintersex film XXY* on the grounds that they believed the film portrays child pornography. The Spanish film with English subtitles was produced by an Argentine filmmaker and tells the story of a teenager (15 years of age). The Out in Africa (OIA) Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, which planned to screen the film as part of the 15th annual film festival, indicated that they would appeal the Board’s decision, and would take legal action against the Board. Out in Africa won the court case in Août 2009.
* Please take note that there is an error in the linked article as they mention that the youth’s main character is transgender when in reality he is intersex. The title of the film, XXY, indicates the topic of the film to be intersex, as it refers to the XXY chromosomal difference in some intersex people.
In September 2009, the South African Film and Publications Board banned the intersex film XXY* on the grounds that they believed the film portrays child pornography. The Spanish film with English subtitles was produced by an Argentine filmmaker and tells the story of a teenager (15 years of age). The Out in Africa (OIA) Gay […]
Transgender Education & Advocacy (TEA) was established by Audrey Mbugua in 2008, working to defend the human rights of trans persons in Kenya. TEA is an international human rights organisation working towards defending and promoting the human rights of transgender/transsexual people. TEA, the first Kenyan trans organisation, is registered in Kenya by the NGO Coordination […]
22 December 2008 — Court Rules in Favour of Trans and LGBTI Activist Victor Mukasa, Uganda
After a trial of three years, the Ugandan High Courtruled in Victor Mukasa’s favour on 22 December 2008. In this landmark ruling, the Court declared that the Government of Uganda had indeed violated the rights of privacy of the members of the organisation, Sexual Minorities of Uganda (SMUG), when the home of Victor Mukasa was unlawfully raided in July 2005. The Court determined that the government of Uganda needed to pay compensation to Victor and Yvonne Oyo for humiliation, degrading treatment, trauma, and injury. The Court also awarded the legal costs of the application.
Victor was overwhelmed by and overjoyed with this outcome, and local activists from the East African region indicated their intention to work with individual governments to sensitise them about LGBTIQ+ rights. The Minister of Ethics and Integrity responded to the ruling by saying that the Government would not appeal, but that Uganda’s stance against homosexuality remained unchanged.
22 December 2008 — Court Rules in Favour of Trans and LGBTI Activist Victor Mukasa, Uganda After a trial of three years, the Ugandan High Court ruled in Victor Mukasa’s favour on 22 December 2008. In this landmark ruling, the Court declared that the Government of Uganda had indeed violated the rights of privacy of […]
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