Histories affecting and influencing the trans and intersex
movements in Africa
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In April 2011 the events of Caster Semenya’s gender verification spiralled into an international debate about intersex* conditions and gender, resulting in the IAAF passing a new policy on gender verification, making the tests more specific to suspected cases of ‘hyperandrogenism’ in elite female athletes. The IAAF (International Amateur Athletic Federation and International Association of …
April 2011 — IAAF Passes New Policy on Gender Verification Read More »
The first part of the second year of the Eastern and Southern African Trans and Intersex Regional Exchange Programme, hosted by Gender DynamiX (GDX) and a partner organisation from East Africa, took place in Uganda in May 2011. This was a watershed workshop as the number of activists, who numbered 16 the year before, grew …
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 …
Due to the way in which participants had progressed and excelled beyond the current format of the workshops, in 2011 the host’s Gender DynamiX (GDX) and their partner organisation in East Africa, decided to reassess the format of the Eastern and Southern African Trans and Intersex Regional Exchange Programme for 2012 and onwards. Initially envisioned …
In 2011, co-hosts of the Eastern and Southern African Trans and Intersex Regional Exchange Programme, Gender DynamiX (GDX) and their partner in East Africa (name withheld for security reasons), approached Transgender and Intersex Africa (TIA) to form a 3-organisation coalition, which would be known as Transitioning Africa (TA). The coalition would work together on future …
2011 — Formation of a 3-Organisation Coalition, Transitioning Africa (TA), Africa Read More »
The first International Intersex Forum took place in Belgium in September 2011. 24 Activists representing 17 intersex organisations from all continents were present, including Intersex Society South Africa (ISSA)’s Sally Gross, who was also the correspondent for Africa. The Forum concluded with 3 main goals:
Rainbow Identity Association (RIA), formed in 2007, informed Gender Dynamix (GDX) that the intermediary fiscal hosting term could come to an end, as they had officially registered in 2010 and could begin operating independently in September 2011.
In December 2011, Ushirikiano Panda was established in Kenya, making it the second Kenyan trans organisation after TEA (Transgender Education & Advocacy). The organisation was founded by Gullitt Amakobe, a trans man, Sidney, an intersex person, and Barbra Wangare, a trans woman who is the current Executive Director of EATHAN, the East Africa Trans Health …
December 2011 — Ushirikiano Panda Founded, Kenya Read More »
Trans Smart Trust was founded in January 2012 and registered on 16 July 2016. Situated in Zimbabwe, the organisation focuses on trans and intersex rights. Gumisayi Bonzo is the Executive Director and one of the founders of the organisation. The other founders are Alesandrabree Chacha and Delfina Sundarreman. The organisation manages a portfolio of projects …
January 2012 — Trans Smart Trust Founded, Zimbabwe 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 …
Ushirikiano Panda, formed in December 2011, officially changed its name to Jinsiangu on 27 May 2012. The name Jinsiangu, comes from the two Swahili words, ‘jinsia’ and ‘yangu’, meaning ‘my gender’, a name proposed by co-founder Barbra Wangare, who is the current Executive Director of the East Africa Trans Health and Advocacy Network (EATHAN). Jinsiangu was established …
27 May 2012 — Ushirikiano Panda Changes its Name to Jinsiangu, Kenya Read More »
Batha Nthungi, a trans woman, filed a constitutional petition (240 of 2012) against Kenya’s Attorney General for violation of her human rights on 6 June 2012. She had been arrested in 2011 and stripped by a police officer after it was discovered that she was transgender. Nthungi won her case on 14 June 2013.
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 »
on 14 September 2008, Trans Bantu Zambia (TBZ) came into existence. It officially became a registered entity in August 2012. However, they stick to celebrating their birthday each year on the 14th of September. TBZ was officially recognized as a company limited by guarantee by the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA). To kick things off, they had some support from the Transitioning Africa (TA) project. Their first strategic plan was supported by the Transitioning Africa (TA) project, of which TBZ was one of the small number of Trans organisations that were recipients of the TA sub-granting initiative. In their early days, TBZ used an info brochure to spread awareness and advocate for their cause. Their vision was crystal clear - they aimed for a fair world where everyone's rights were respected. They wanted equality and fairness to be the norm, with justice accessible and enjoyed by everyone, including Transgender and Intersex individuals.
The three directors of the Transitioning Africa (TA) coalition met in Nairobi with Dr Chloe Schwenke from the USAID Africa Bureau. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss support from the U.S. Agency that would culminate in an African Blueprint for the Provision of Comprehensive Care for Trans Persons, similar to the Blueprint in Latin America and the Caribbean. Following the meeting, TA sent a letter to the USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development), with a proposal to form a partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO). TA suggested that this proposed partnership would collectively work on developing a model appropriate to African realities, creating a Blueprint for Transgender and Intersex Health Care for sub-Saharan Africa.
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.
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 »
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 first Trans and Intersex Annual Pride on the continent of Africa was held in Gaborone, Botswana on 24 November 2012. The event was initiated by Rainbow Identity Association (RIA). The march hosted various trans and intersex activists from other African countries.
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 …
There are many African organisations and individuals who over the years have contributed in invaluable ways to the story of the trans and/or intersex movements who are not yet included on our Timeline.
We want to acknowledge and include all verifiable contributions.
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