The Intersex Model Law, proposed in 2017, was a draft law that the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria put together with the aim of protecting the rights and well-being of intersex individuals. The law was developed in response to historical injustices faced by intersex individuals, therefore crucial for addressing issues such …
2017 — The Proposal of The Intersex Model Law, South Africa Read More »
Trans Hope informally started in 2017 and two years later, on June 2019 received their registration papers. Prof. Muholi played an important role in the beginning years, encouraging and facilitating group members to meet and work towards forming Trans Hope
Protea Psychosocial Support Project for Transgender People (PPSTP) was officially registered in August 2015. It would change its name to the Trans Wellness Project (TWP) in 2016 during its first Strategic Planning session, which included board and community members. Formed by former Gender DynamiX (GDX) staff member, Whitney Quanita Booysen, TWP works with trans and …
August 2015 — Trans Wellness Project Founded, South Africa Read More »
The Fairy Godmother Community Project was founded in Cape Town, South Africa by Sandra Lentoor, also known as Cape Town drag queen, Sandra Dee, and was officially registered on the 29th of October 2014. Interview with Sandra Dee: From District 6 to District Royalty We talked to Sandra Dee in December 2023 about the founding …
In July 2014, Liesl Theron stepped down as the Director of Gender Dynamix (GDX). Liesl co-founded GDX and served as Director for 9 years. She was succeeded by GDX’s first black* leader, S’bu (full name excluded for safety reasons, but available by request), who served from August 2015 — February 2016. After S’bu’s short term, …
July 2014 — Gender DynamiX (GDX) Welcomes First Black Trans Leadership, South Africa Read More »
The Cape Town Declaration on Gender Incongruence of Childhood (GIC) was publicly released in June 2014, requesting the removal of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Classification of Diseases (ICD) diagnoses that pathologise gender diversity in children and youth. The Declaration was issued by a working group of 40 delegates from 11 countries who met …
2 June 2014 — Declaration on Gender Incongruence of Childhood (GIC), South Africa Read More »
Trans and Intersex Africa (TIA), Social, Health and Empowerment Feminist Collective of Transgender and Intersex Women of Africa (S.H.E), and Gender DynamiX (GDX) hosted the 2nd Trans Health, Research and Advocacy Conference in Cape Town, South Africa between 31 May and 2 June 2014. This was the largest conference in the series to date and …
31 May 2014 — 2nd Trans Health, Research and Advocacy Conference, South Africa Read More »
Prominent anti-Apartheid and intersex activist, Sally Gross, passed away on 14 February 2014. Her last communication had been with prominent New Zealand-based intersex activist, Mani Bruce Mitchell, a friend who had posted a GoFundMe appeal for help on Gross’s behalf in January of the same year. Sally’s founding of and work as part of Intersex …
14 February 2014 — Death of Intersex Activist Sally Gross, South Africa Read More »
A trans man made history in December 2012 when he participated in the third South African Mr Leather contest. He came out as trans while on stage during his speech. At the time of the contest, SA Leather’s constitution stipulated that only cisgender and gay or bisexual men were allowed to participate. Subsequently, SA Leather …
Gender DynamiX (GDX) and a cohort of other trans organisations lodged an appeal with the South African Parliament on 13 November 2012 with regard to the ongoing failure to implement the Alteration of Sex Description and Sex Status Act, Act 49 of 2003. Sibusiso (full name excluded for safety reasons), GDX’s Director, and intersex activist …
The publication, Sex in Transition: Remaking of Gender and Race in South Africa, by Professor Amanda Lock Swarr, published on 1 November 2012, takes the reader through the Apartheid times of South Africa, and how the lives of those who lived across or in between the gender binary system were impacted. It also explores how …
1 November 2012 — “Sex in Transition” Launched, South Africa Read More »
Lex Kirsten, the co-founder of Gender DynamiX (GDX), received the Inyathelo Philanthropy Award in the Social Justice and Human Rights category for promoting the rights of transgender people in South Africa and across the continent.
Thapelo Makutle, a 23-year-old person from Kuruman in the Northern Cape province, who identified as gay and transgender, was callously murdered in June 2012. Thapelo was a volunteer at a local gay and lesbian organisation, the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Organisation (LEGBO) in the Northern Cape, and also participated in pageants as a drag queen, …
June 2012 — Murder of Trans Person, Thapelo Makutle, South Africa Read More »
Iranti was founded by Jabulani Chen Perreira in 2012. Jabulani, the organisation’s leadership, and the entire team is composed of trans, lesbian, and intersex persons. Iranti is an African regional organisation that involves media and documentation in its advocacy. Intersex Society South Africa (ISSA), founded and run by Sally Gross until her passing, underwent a …
In May 2011, Social, Health and Empowerment Feminist Collective of Transgender and Intersex Women of Africa (S.H.E) was formally established by LeighAnn van der Merwe, following the announcement of the organisation’s formation during the Eastern and Southern African Trans and Intersex Regional Exchange Programme. Vision and Mission Part of the founding reasons derived from the …
In November 2010, Gender DynamiX hosted the pre-Trans Health, Research and Advocacy Conference in Hout Bay, Western Cape, South Africa. The purpose of the pre-conference was to create awareness around the baseline situation experienced by trans people throughout South Africa – both in rural spaces and cities where there is, at minimum, a basic level of access to …
In September 2010, the second part of the Eastern and Southern African Trans and Intersex Regional Exchange Programme hosted by Gender DynamiX (GDX) and a partner organisation in East Africa* was held in Cape Town, South Africa. The Programme achieved two tangible and practical results. The first was that the 16 activists finalised the details …
On 13 August 2010 the South African Labour Court ruled in favour of reinstating Christine Elhers after she took her employer, Bohler Uddeholm, to court for unfair discrimination and for dismissing her based on her gender identity. Judge Francis not only ruled for reinstatement but ordered the company to backpay Christine the salary she had …
13 August 2010 — Labour Court Rules in Favour of Trans Woman, South Africa Read More »
Transgender and Intersex Africa (TIA) was founded in 2010 by African transgender individuals to focus on transgender and intersex issues in previously disadvantaged communities in South Africa, such as townships and rural areas, and is formally registered with the Department of Social Development as a Non-Profit Organisation. TIA recognises the multitude of challenges that black …
2010 — Founding of Transgender and Intersex Africa (TIA), South Africa Read More »
SistaazHood is the first sex worker support group in South Africa, founded in 2010 by 5 trans women sex workers who were part of the Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) based in Cape Town. Led by trans women sex workers, Sistaazhood focuses its support and advocacy specifically on trans women sex workers. It …
