Voice of the Voiceless, Zimbabwe
A brave and powerful collective of lesbian, bisexual and trans* activists have formed a collective, Voice of the Voiceless. This picture was taken during the Sixteen Days of Activism as the collective took to the streets to highlight the struggles that they face on a daily basis. They talked about harassment in the market place, injustice outside the courts, the risk in the streets without street lighting, and the high rates of unemployment that mean these activists live in poverty.
Kaspar X, Hong Kong
Campaigner and film-maker Kaspar X is a trans man living in Hong Kong, he was nominated by Anshuman Das.
Kaspar frequently shares his experience as a transgender person at universities, corporates, media and at community events. After the success of his short film, KasparX - If I had a soul, he is working on a feature focusing on post-op challenges faced by trans individuals when they integrate into the society. His NGO Gender Empowerment supports the trans community through the different stages of their transition and helps them adapt to the changes in their appearances, bodies, daily lives, and social relationships.
Guillermo, Mexico
Démian Cortés in Mexico nominated his boyfriend Guillermo (right) as his #LGBTChange hero.
In 2015 we went to Mexico’s city gay pride parade. For the very first time we were able to be ourselves in a public space without the fear of being criticised. We kissed each other, hugged each and held hands while we walked through an explosion of music, colours, information, feathers, nudity and joy. We discovered what freedom felt like – we felt alive.
Mexico is my home and I love it with all my heart, but I know we have a lot of work to do regarding LGBT rights, justice, respect and equality. It’s not all bad news though. Mexico’s society is changing from machismo and conservatism, to a more open minded and respectful one.
So, who are my LGBT heroes? The answer is right in front of me. It’s my country, my friends, my city, my sister, my mum, even my teachers, who constantly ask me when I will be getting married. My hero is my boyfriend who couple of years ago was too scared to hold my hand. Now he doesn’t give a damn and fights homophobes back with solid arguments and information.
I am my own hero for all those young gay, lesbian, transgender kids who don’t have one. Is our duty not to abandon them, it’s our responsibility to fight for their rights and for their freedom. We all have to wear a cape for them, because if not me, who will?
Edwin Sesange and Abbey Kiwanuka, Out and Proud Diamond group, UK
The group provides enormous personal support to its members seeking asylum in the UK. It helps those who have been detained receive legal advice and support to survive the process. I know from personal experience how important the group continues to be to those who have been granted asylum. In some cases it is literally life-saving. Living as a refugee in the UK can be a lonely and isolating experience. Through regular events, the group provides a lifeline to many.
As well as supporting LGBTI people seeking asylum the group campaigns tirelessly against the persecution of LGBTI people in their home countries.
The word ‘hero’ is often overused but not in the case of Edwin, Abbey and the OPDG. Most of the group have no or extremely limited finances, yet day in and day out they continue to work for LGBTI rights and to help and support asylum seekers and refugee members.
Sunil Babu Pant, Nepal
Pant was the founder of Nepal’s Blue Diamond Society, the first LGBTI organisation in the country. He was also the first openly gay parliamentarian in Asia. “Because of his impact contribution Nepal becomes first country in Asia guaranteeing LGBTI rights constitutionally,” said Dulal Madhav who nominated Pant.
David Mbote, Kenya
Kenyan LGBTI rights and anti-poverty campaigner David Mbote became the first out gay man to run for public office in Kenya in 2012.
For over a decade, David and his many fellow activists have stood up in environments that were often hostile to their cause, David has made a true difference. His leadership and continued passion to ensure gender and sexual minorities are represented fairly by their government has been incredible, admirable and one the world should pay attention to.
Aung Myo Min, Myanmar
Burmese human rights activist Aung Myo Min fled his homeland in 1988 after a violent crackdown on dissidents. Since then, he has worked along the Thai-Myanmar border and established Human Rights Education Institute of Burma, now known as Equality Myanmar.
Kmeninga, who nominated Aung Myo Min, said the activist is “driven by a strong belief that communities empowered by political knowledge can create lasting change for peace”. Returning to Myanmar in 2012 to work with vulnerable communities, Aung Myo Min, “is the first ever reported Burmese gay activist to come out in the open and declare no to discrimination and homophobia against LGBT individuals in Myanmar.”
He has led the campaign to decriminalise gay sex in Myanmar and coaches LGBT rights activists to demand human rights. Aung Myo Min’s story has been captured in documentary film This Kind of Love.
Proud to be us Laos
NGO Proud to be us Laos made history by organising the first Pride event in the small south-Asian country.
The pride was able to continue two years in a row from 2012-2013. However, we have to stop the progress because the partner organisations and the community were frightened, due to the reaction from the heightened level. Despite the hardship, we are still hoping to continue our work to raise awareness about LGBT rights and HIV/Aids among LGBT since gay men and transgender women are the highest rate of HIV infection in the country.
Fan Popo, China
Chinese filmmaker Fan Popo was nominated by Matthew Baren who described him as “a monk of cinema, a one-man crew who carts everything around in a backpack”.
He understands the temptation to generalise a nation, a minority group, but somehow never does. There is a movement of people who spread ideas and hold discussion through screen media. Popo is one of many, but one who was in the right place to take a stance and was unafraid to do so.
See all the entries in the #LGBTChange heroes Guardian Witness assignment here.
From 8-14 February the Guardian Global Development Professionals Network is highlighting the work of the LGBT rights activists throughout the world. Join the conversation at #LGBTChange.
Join our community of development professionals and humanitarians. Follow @GuardianGDP on Twitter.
