See also
- Olumide Makanjuola, former director of TIERs
- All About Trans
- List of LGBT rights organizations
- Trans Media Watch
- Violence against LGBT people
| Founded | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit |
| Focus | Discrimination and marginalization of sexual minorities |
| Headquarters | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Location |
|
Area served | Nigeria |
| Method | Documentation and Monitoring, Legal Representation, Advocacy and Security Protection, and Storytelling |
Employees | 6-25 |
| Website | theinitiativeforequalrights |
The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs) is a Nigeria-based registered non-for-profit organisation which advocates for LGBT rights in Nigeria. [1]
TIERs provides support and resources for the LGBTQ+ community, [2] including conducting educational programs, workshops, and seminars related to LGBTQ+ advocacy. [3] [4]
The organization conducts research on issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, producing reports and polls on issues regarding LGBT rights and public opinion. [5] [6] It has also documented and reported human rights abuses in Nigeria. [7]
The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs) was founded in 2005 as a response to the discrimination and marginalisation of sexual minorities in both HIV prevention programming, human rights protection, advocacy, and mainstream human rights work. [8] It is based in Lagos. [9]
TIERs has partnered with Nollywood to produce films which represent queer characters and experiences in a positive light, as most Nigerian films portray negative stereotypes of queer character. [10] In 2016, the organization released Hell or High Water, [11] a short film which deals with societal expectations regarding sexuality in Nigeria. [12] It sponsored the 2018 film We Don't Live Here Anymore. [13]
TIERs has released 10 publications on issues concerning human rights, sexuality and gender orientation, violence, social rights and cultural relativism. [14]
The LGBT community is a loosely defined grouping of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals united by a common culture and social movements. These communities generally celebrate pride, diversity, individuality, and sexuality. LGBT activists and sociologists see LGBT community-building as a counterweight to heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, sexualism, and conformist pressures that exist in the larger society. The term pride or sometimes gay pride expresses the LGBT community's identity and collective strength; pride parades provide both a prime example of the use and a demonstration of the general meaning of the term. The LGBT community is diverse in political affiliation. Not all people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender consider themselves part of the LGBT community.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is an American LGBTQ advocacy group. It is the largest LGBTQ political lobbying organization within the United States. Based in Washington, D.C., the organization focuses on protecting and expanding rights for LGBTQ individuals, including advocating for same-sex marriage, anti-discrimination and hate crimes legislation, and HIV/AIDS advocacy. The organization has a number of legislative initiatives as well as supporting resources for LGBTQ individuals.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Ghana face severe challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Sexual acts between males have been illegal as "unnatural carnal knowledge" in Ghana since the colonial era. The majority of Ghana's population hold anti-LGBT sentiments. Physical and violent homophobic attacks against LGBT people are common, and are often encouraged by the media and religious and political leaders. At times, government officials, such as police, engage in such acts of violence. Reports of young gay people being disowned by their families and communities and evicted from their homes are common. Families often seek conversion therapy from religious groups when same-sex orientation or non-conforming gender identity is disclosed; such "therapy" is reported to be commonly administered in abusive and inhumane settings.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Iraq face severe challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Openly LGBT individuals are subject to criminal penalties under the 2024 law making homosexual relations punishable by up to 15 years in prison with fines and deportation; the 2024 law also criminalizes and makes punishable by prison time promoting homosexuality, doctors performing gender-affirming surgery, and men deliberately acting like women. Discrimination is also widespread. Openly gay men are not permitted to serve in the military and same-sex marriage or civil unions are illegal. LGBT people do not have any legal protections against discrimination and are frequently victims of vigilante justice and honor killings.
Basic Rights Oregon is an American nonprofit LGBT rights organization based in Portland, Oregon. It is the largest advocacy, education, and political organization working in Oregon to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Basic Rights Oregon has a full-time staff, a contract lobbyist, and more than 10,000 contributors, and 5,000 volunteers. It is a 501(c)(4) organization that maintains a 501(c)(3) education fund, a state candidate PAC and a ballot measure PAC. The organization is a member of the Equality Federation.
OutRight International (OutRight) is an LGBTIQ human rights non-governmental organization that addresses human rights violations and abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. OutRight International documents human rights discrimination and abuses based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics in partnership with activists, advocates, media, NGOs and allies on a local, regional, national and international level. OutRight International holds consultative status with ECOSOC.
Bisi Alimi is a British-Nigerian gay rights activist, public speaker, blog writer and HIV/LGBT advocate who gained international attention when he became the first Nigerian to come out on television.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Mauritius have expanded in the 21st century, although LGBT Mauritians may still face legal difficulties not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Prior to 2023, sodomy was criminalized by Section 250 of the Criminal Code. However, Mauritius fully decriminalized homosexuality in October 2023. Although same-sex marriage is not recognized in Mauritius, LGBT people are broadly protected from discrimination in areas such as employment and the provision of goods and services, making it one of the few African countries to have such protections for LGBT people. The Constitution of Mauritius guarantees the right of individuals to a private life.
The modern South Korean LGBT rights movement arose in the 1990s, with several small organizations seeking to combat sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people generally have limited or highly restrictive rights in most parts of the Middle East, and are open to hostility in others. Sex between men is illegal in 9 of the 18 countries that make up the region. It is punishable by death in four of these 18 countries. The rights and freedoms of LGBT citizens are strongly influenced by the prevailing cultural traditions and religious mores of people living in the region – particularly Islam.
Equal Ground is a non-profit advocacy organization based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, that campaigns for political, social and civilian rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), intersex and queer individuals. The organization, established in 2004, is one of the first organization in Sri Lanka welcoming and advocating equality for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Queer erasure refers to the tendency to intentionally or unintentionally remove LGBT groups or people from record, or downplay their significance, which includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. This erasure can be found in a number of written and oral texts, including popular and scholarly texts.
IraQueer is an Iraqi non-governmental organization based in Sweden advocating for LGBT rights in Iraq. It was founded in 2015. The organization undertakes education, advocacy, and direct services. IraQueer offers direct services that respond to urgent needs including safe housing, and supporting asylum seekers. IraQueer also responds to United Nations reports, and holds events.
Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim is a Nigerian film producer, screenwriter and filmmaker, who creates works which tell the stories of Nigeria's marginalised LGBTQ communities. In 2020 the BBC included her in its list of the 100 Women of the Year.
Olumide Makanjuola is a Nigerian human rights activist, storyteller, LGBTQI advocate, and social entrepreneur. He was the executive director for The Initiative For Equal Rights (TIERS) and presently the program director for Initiative Sankofa d’Afrique de l’Ouest (ISDAO), a regional activist-led organization supporting an inclusive society free from violence and injustice through funding to local organisations.
We Don't Live Here Anymore is a 2018 Nigerian film directed by Tope Oshin and produced by Olumide Makanjuola, Bose Oshin and Tope Oshin. The drama is based on the story of two LGBT high school students Chidi Egwuonwu and Tolu Bajulaye. The boys are in love with each other and have to deal with discrimination regarding their relationship.
Queer radicalism can be defined as actions taken by queer groups which contribute to a change in laws and/or social norms. The key difference between queer radicalism and queer activism is that radicalism is often disruptive and commonly involves illegal action. Due to the nature of LGBTQ+ laws around the world, almost all queer activism that took place before the decriminalization of gay marriage can be considered radical action. The history of queer radicalism can be expressed through the many organizations and protests that contributed to a common cause of improving the rights and social acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.
Nigeria is a country with a long history of homophobia. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Nigeria, and those convicted of the offense can face up to 14 years in prison. The law criminalizing homosexuality is based on a British colonial-era law that was introduced to Nigeria in the 19th century. This law has been repeatedly upheld by Nigerian courts.
