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The African Queer Youth Initiative membership comprises young leaders from diverse African backgrounds. Drawing upon our extensive experience, diverse skill sets, and knowledge, we actively promote the mission and vision of AQYI. We form a dedicated team as youth leaders, professionals, grassroots activists, artists, and, above all, human beings deeply committed to human rights.

Our membership is composed of a volunteer network of youths hailing from various African countries, including Benin, Botswana, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Liberia, Morocco, Nigeria, the Republic of Mauritius, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Namibia, Tanzania, Madagascar, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Zambia, Mali, South Africa, Rwanda, Ghana, and Zimbabwe.

The African Queer Youth Initiative welcomes individuals from diverse African backgrounds to become members. We are on a mission to unite young leaders, activists, and professionals in the fight for LGBTQI+ rights. While we’re proud of our growing community, we recognise that some African nations are still underrepresented. To bridge this gap, we are opening up ten (10) additional spots for members from these countries: Angola, Algeria, Eritrea, Gabon, Mozambique, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Tunisia, and Zambia.

If you’re passionate about LGBTQI+ rights and want to be part of our vibrant network, we invite you to apply here.

By becoming a member, you will contribute to advancing LGBTQI+ rights and make a meaningful impact in your community.

Suru Emmanuel​

Country: Bénin

Pronoun: He/Him

Suru is a human rights activist and advocate for the rights of sexual minorities. He is a young activist passionate about the SRHR of sexual and gender minorities, Human rights in the LGBTQI+ context, and SOGIESC issues. With a background in computer science and project management, he was involved in designing, managing, and implementing programmes that focused on LGBTQI public advocacy, including education, safe shelter, mental health, research etc.

Suru’s many years of experience has helped build a deep understanding of the need to enhance sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services for LGBTQ+ person. He has a key interest in providing comprehensive and non-discriminatory sexual health services for the LGBTQ+ community. He strongly believes in inclusion, gender equality and the fundamental rights of all humans regardless of sex, gender, race, sexual orientation and gender identity\expression.

Kaone Gaothuse

Country: Botswana

Pronoun: They/Them

Kaone  is a highly motivated individual who has completed their Bachelor of Laws at the University of Botswana and a Master of Laws in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa at the University of Pretoria. During their time in law school, they have gained a keen interest in social development and construction to achieve social inclusion by intentionally facilitating learning and unlearning knowledge and skills. They pride themselves on being a lived experience footnote and implore everyone to use their lived experiences to influence
policies and laws.

Samia

Country: Burkina Faso

Pronoun: She/Her

Samia is a feminist and human rights activist. She is currently a volunteer animator at Woma Média.

 

 

Samia began the journey of fighting against the social inequality of LGBTQI people in 2018, driven by a thirst for a better world for LGBTQI+ people, such as inclusion, equal opportunities, diversity and well-being. As a feminist and activist, her wish is to change the negative perceptions of LGBTQI+ people through her interventions, her work and above all, her leadership.

Dr Lix

Country: Burkina Faso

Pronoun: He/Him

Dr Lix is young activist and human rights defender living in Burkina Faso. First a peer educator in an association to fight against HIV, he became interested in the fight against social inequalities. Because the health of others makes him happy, his ambition is to facilitate access to this precious good that is “well-being” for all sexual minorities.

Sosthene

Country: Burundi

Pronoun: They/Them

Sosthene is a writer and community development advocate focusing on ITGNC and sex workers’ issues. They currently work as communications and campaign officer at TIA Burundi, an organisation that defends and advocates for the right of ITGNC people in Burundi. As a writer, they write stories and articles about the lives of queer people.

Their passion is to contribute to the elimination of all kinds of discrimination against Queer people. They love travelling, visiting new places, hanging out with friends and having discussions. 

Orneill Latiyah

Country: Côte d’Ivoire

Pronoun: She/Her

A young trans activist-feminist, Latiyah is the founder and Executive Director of Transgenres et Droits a young organisation based in Ivory Coast. She is passionate about human rights, social justice, and transgender legal recognition. She is also a part of different initiatives working to strengthen the work of West African LGBTIQ+ organisations, and the community’s life conditions.

Mr Jojo

Country:  Cameroon

Pronoun: He/him

Mr Jojo is a transgender feminist activist whose sole mission is the legal recognition of the existence of LGBTIQ+ people in general and Trans* people in particular. He is currently the country program manager for the independent network of Trans* people in Central Africa (RITAC). He dreams of a free Africa where everyone feels taken into account and enjoys the same rights. His passion for activism stems from his anger at injustice, and being the voice of the voiceless has been a revelation in his life.

Mostafa

Country: Egypt

Pronoun: He/Him,She/Her

Mostafa is a human rights activist focusing on the rights of gender and sexual minorities and women’s rights; Administrative Director of the Safe Circles initiative that raises awareness provides support, and creates safe circles for queer people in Egypt. He also works in combatting stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS and reducing the number of HIV infections.
Mostafa loves to travel and make friends from different regions and wants to spread the culture of peace and the human right to choose his preferred lifestyle.

Kal

Country: Ethiopia

Pronoun: She/They

Obsé is a queer activist and artist from Ethiopia. She is strong believer that art plays a role in society and contributes to the overall development of communities by providing a commentary on the way things are vs. how things should be. In her opinion, art in its essence is a tool to challenge a way of thought by allowing an idea to exist in a space autonomously, regardless of its place in society’s reality. She believes that art-based activism is able to transcend the boundaries of concept and actually reach the realm of practicality. That her work is able to give viability to other queer people and herself. She believes that she can showcase the diversity in self-expression, boosting communication within societies at large, to deliver new ways of understanding the fabric of the communities we exist in, and their interactions with one another.

Gloria Quaye

Country: Ghana

Pronoun: She/Her

Gloria, a Ghanaian from Accra with training in Radio & TV Production and Scriptwriting as a Human Rights Defender and a Feminist working for sexual minorities in society to promote and protect their rights. She works with the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) as their Gender / Programs Officer. She was part of the team that produced a Dossier for Ghana’s parliament on the Human Rights violations of LGBT persons in 2022.

She is interested in advocating for the minority in society due to the unfair, unequal treatment and opportunities not given to them in the community. Having journeyed in this space for some years now, she is passionate about changing mentalities, promoting gender equality, socio-economic empowerment and the safety and security of all persons marginalised in society within Ghana and Africa.

John Sam

Country: Ghana

Pronoun: He/Him

John is a trained basic education teacher. He is a motivational speaker, an event M.C and a writer. He is currently the guidance and counselling officer in the institution where he has been teaching for the past three years. One of his core philosophies in life is doing your best, being your best and being responsible at all times. As a queer man he seeks to achieve justice for LGBT people on all levels championing the cause against injustice, hate crime and segregation against LGBT people living in Africa, and to provide guidance and counselling on Awareness, Acceptance and taking action to help make the right and informed choices in life.

Sandy Nafula

Country: Kenya

Pronoun: She/Her They/Them

Sandy is a dedicated healthcare data lead on a mission to empower underserved communities through tech-driven solutions. At Access Afya, she maximizes data assets, driving informed decisions that lead to measurable improvements in patient outcomes.

 

As a thought leader in data, informatics, and blockchain, Sandra actively champions diversity and inclusion in tech, providing technical assistance to inclusive organizations and fostering a culture of collaboration and a growth mindset. She excels at delivering projects that meet objectives and leave a lasting positive impact on communities.


Sandra’s resourcefulness and quick-to-action approach make her an invaluable asset to any team. Her expertise in data science, blockchain technology, health informatics, and creative problem-solving enables her to drive innovation and navigate complex challenges.


Sandy is your person if you’re seeking a dynamic professional who brings measurable results, technical prowess, and a genuine passion for positive change!

Stephen Okwany​

Country: Kenya

Pronoun: He/Him

Stephen is a proactive Queer Activist passionate about advancing equality and non-discrimination by deconstructing internalized and structural homophobia and anti-gender practices orchestrated by illiberal populists, far-right extremists and fundamentalists. His vision is that of a world that is appreciative and cognizant of Queer lived realities and which affirms LGBTQ+ community members in their true authentic selves translating to the active involvement of LGBTQ+ community members in decision-making processes where their voices are included through the ‘Nothing for Us without Us’ principle. His mission is to create gender-diverse platforms, spaces and opportunities embodying respect for human rights and dignity. As a Strategic Communications and Narrative Change Specialist, he proactively creates and advances progressive narratives that counter homo-hate through innovative media and platforms that build empathy and kindness.

Kyky

Country: Togo

Pronoun: They/Them

Kyky is a Feminist, excellent communicator and mobilizer, and one of the leading LGBTI activists on the African continent. They are one of the founding members of the committed Togolese LGBTI movement and fight for equal rights for all, regardless of their sexuality. Passionate about art and culture, Kyky has a particular interest in writing.

With a Business Marketing & Communications degree, Kyky recognizes that all women and men deserve equal opportunities to pursue fulfilling careers and lives, build structures to help others, realize their potential, and bring about real change.

Kyky leads an association that promotes change and campaigns against excluding vulnerable and marginalized groups and discrimination based on sexual orientation, self-fulfilment, inclusion, sexual and reproductive health, and promoting the fundamental human rights of sexual and gender minorities.

Mumbya Katende ​

Country: Uganda

Pronoun: He/Him

Mumbya is an SRHR Advocacy champion and a rural transgender Activist who spent the past 3 years working as the trans focal point for Blessed Rwenzori Uganda, a non-profit organisation and as a deputy coordinator for the Trans and Queer Movement. This coalition unites rural Transpersons and Gender diverse persons in the Rwenzori region Kasese district of Western Uganda.
Later became the chairperson of pride western Uganda and the board chair of Uganda Minority Shelter Consortium. Mumbya is a founder and Executive Director of Twilight Support Initiative Uganda, a rural Transgender led organisation centred in the Rwenzori region. Due to his extensive understanding, Mumbya is an active member of the National Trans Advocacy Committee and the East African Leadership Council.

Zatovo

Country: Madagascar

Pronoun: He/Him

Rado is a trained business manager and administrator. He started his activism work in 2015 as the communication and technical support manager of the Solidarité MSM network and The Ezaka Association. He served as peer educator MSM at the NGO PSI Madagascar, Supervisor of MSM peer educators at the Association Aide et Soins aux Malades ASM, and responsible for monitoring and evaluation of investigators at Médecin du Monde Madagascar. He is currently the Response Technical officer at NGO network Solidarité LGBT and Web animator for an online page intended for LGT at the OG PSI Madagascar.

Junior Chris M

Country: Malawi

Pronoun: He/Him

Junior is an active youth activist and founder of Home of Hope Youth Network, an organization which was established to empower and enhance the human rights of marginalized groups of local youth, including the LGBTQ+ community, by addressing their physical, psychological and legal support through raising awareness about the human rights of LGBTQ and disabled youths to the general public. He advocates for total rights, respect and protection of people regardless of their gender orientation at all levels.

Chumani Olwethu

Country: South Africa

Pronoun: He/Him

Chumani advocates for equality for all, focusing on the diverse group, which is the LGBTQIA+ community, promoting and telling their experiences through “artiquervism, ‘envisioning and projecting them for future reference.

Kim Kiondo Mkodo

Country: Tanzania

Pronoun: He/Him

Kim is a transgender man and activist who has been working towards advocating for LGBTIQ community members’ Rights in Tanzania since 2017 with an organization known as Tanzania Trans Initiative (TTi), where he worked as a community outreach coordinator for three years and through that position he conducted community needs assessments, community facilitation and mobilization to understand the needs of LGBTIQ community in our context and building capacity of LGBTIQ community members.

In 2019 Kim was promoted from Community Outreach Coordinator to a program coordinator who designed projects that focused on promoting equal rights and equal opportunities to LGBTIQ, fundraising to make sure community members could access services such as gender-affirming care, engaging with stakeholders and Allie’s such as paralegals and health care practitioners who could support community members who are in of such services. Currently, Kim is an executive director of Bandari Salama Youth Group, an ITGNC lead and focused organization that aims to promote ITGNC ideas, skills and talents to help them acquire sustainable income and improve their livelihood.

Evane Yamamoto​

Country: Mali

Pronoun: They/Them

Evane is a non-binary gender fluid activist from the Trans Umbrella whose activism began in April 2014 as a volunteer sexual health worker. After learning how to better advocate while working with the LGBT EVENT Association from 2015 as a volunteer, Evane has since created AREFM – the very first Trans Association. They are sharpening their skills as a Communications Officer at CAS since 2019.

Tanya

Country: Mauritius

Pronoun: She/Her

Tanya is a research scholar at the University of Malta, developing methodologies to bridge the gap between policy and practice pertaining to LGBTQIA+ rights. Appointed as African Youth Charter Hustler for Mauritius by the African Union Office of the Youth Envoy, she fosters the active appropriation by LGBTQIA+ youth of their rights by adopting a decolonial perspective on SOGIESC. As UN Religion Fellow at OutRight International, she harnesses the international law system to protect LGBTQIA+ people from religion-based violence. As a KAICIID Fellow, she challenges hate crimes against LGBTQIA+ people through interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Through the #Reform53 campaign, she lobbies against discriminatory laws for the Commonwealth Youth Gender and Equality Network under the Royal Commonwealth Society. As a Diversity and Inclusion Fellow at the United Nations Office for Project Services, she advocates for increased accountability for discrimination, harassment and abuse of authority. As Community Leader for Internet Health at Digital Grassroots, she empowers LGBTQIA+ individuals to protect their rights to privacy and security in the virtual and physical worlds. As part of the Youth Sounding Board at the European Commission for International Partnerships, she empowers LGBTQIA+ youth through access to learning, dialogue and development spaces that are diverse, inclusive and transformative.

Adunni Tiwatope

Country: Nigeria

Pronoun: She/Her

Adunni is a multi-faceted professional working as a researcher, threat intelligence analyst, and community educator. Her primary focus is promoting gender and organizational culture literacy, advocating for trans rights, providing essential resources, and empowering individuals. With a commitment to creating a more inclusive society, Adunni’s efforts span diverse fields, inspiring positive change and fostering understanding within communities.

Rodgers Amutwendize

Country: Rwanda

Pronoun: He/Him

Rodgers is a lawyer by training and human rights activist. He works as Programs Assistant at Human Rights First, Rwanda. Participated in the 65th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul the Gambia, where he raised the concern on the discrimination of LGBTIQ community and attack directed to the LGBTIQ rights activists in Africa. He has worked as a consultant for Rwanda Gender Pride, a Trans led organisation in Rwanda, training them on security measures and rights-based approach. Rodgers also designed an LGBTIQ rights brochure and drafted a position paper on the rights of LGBTIQ community which focused on eliminating stigma for sexual minority groups.  Since 2017, Rodgers has been providing pro bono legal aid services to the LGBTIQ people in Rwanda. 

Taha Laroussi ​

Country: Morocco

Pronoun: He/Him

Taha is an LGBTIQ+ Activist and Researcher, passionate about providing sources of knowledge regarding LGBTIQ histories and lives. He is working with the Tanit Research platform for change in Morocco on various research and archiving projects to archive Media representation of Queer people in Morocco and Queer Encrypted Languages, He previously worked as an Assistant Consultant in Morocco on a research project sponsored by Astrea lesbian Foundation for justice, and he is currently Junior research consultant at ILGA World.

Youba Darif

Country: Morocco

Pronoun: They/Them

Youba is a young activist advocating for gender diversity and sexual health and bodily rights and a citizen journalist. They are the vice-executive director of Kasbah Tal’fin organisation Kasbah Tal’fin organization. Youba is a Swedish Institute Leader Lab Program Alumni. Youba has facilitated for more than two years workshops related to sexual health and sexuality in different sittings in their country and abroad. They worked as an investigator on the first needs assessment research about LGBTIQ+ community needs in collaboration with a local organization. They were one of the young people who actively participated in the Technical Consultation on Youth Leadership in the HIV Response in the MENA Region by UNAIDS, UNDP and the World Health Organization that took place in Sharm El Sheikh/Egypt. The First Regional Youth Network on HIV and SRHR “SIBA” was launched during this consultation and they were elected to be the Head of the Stigma and Discrimination Steering Committee. 

Trust Hart​

Country: Zimbabwe

Pronoun: He/Him

Trust is a gay man from Zimbabwe with a Bachelor of Pharmacy from Rhodes University, South Africa, A PrEP champion, HIV/AIDS and  LGBTI+ advocate, and  is an MPact fellow.

Thangeni Potsane​

Country: Namibia

Pronoun: She/Her

Thangeni is a Public Health and Health Promotion – A rights Based Approach Certified Trainer. He is also a very Qualified Facilitator/ Trainer, who possesses a great deal of Knowledge and Skills in the field of Public Health and LGBTIQ+ issues. Most importantly she is very knowledgeable on Topics such as Sexual Reproductive Health Rights & Wellness (SRHR). Thangeni is a self-starter and has been actively involved with Society for Family Health during their recent IBBS Studies. Thangeni also uses most of her time Educating young girls on the usage of Sanitary Pads and adolescent hygiene.

Ziggy Porsche #Eixas

Country: Namibia

Pronoun: She/Her

Ziggy is a Namibian trans feminist, psychosocial counsellor and queer activist.
She holds an Honours degree in HIV/AIDS Management.
As a transgender woman, she advocates for economic empowerment and social inclusion for the queer community in Namibia.
She has served on numerous civil society boards and is an active member of the human rights movement. She believes in equity amongst diversities.