28-30 September 2015 — The Other Foundation Hosts Inaugural Kopano Conference with Panel About Trans Issues, South Africa
Between 28-30 September 2015, The Other Foundation hosted its inaugural Kopano conference in Soweto, South Africa. (In Sotho, “Kopano” means “a gathering to address an important issue”). This first conference’s theme was “Freedom for All”, and provided a platform for activists, thinkers, human rights defenders from Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. During this two-day gathering people across identities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex could dialogue and grapple with social topics. One panel stood out: “Prospects for Progress and Lessons from Setbacks”, tackling gender identity and challenges faced by trans individuals.
The panel was moderated by Eusebius McKaiser, featuring panelists Danilo Da Silva (LAMBDA), Fadzai Muparutsa (Coalition of African Lesbians), Rikki Nathanson (Southern Africa Regional Trans Forum”, Monica Tabengwa (independent activist), and Steve Letsike (National Task Team, South Africa, and Access Chapter 2).
Watch these videos from the panel highlighting some of the important issues faced by trans individuals.