Board of Directors

Rikki Nathanson is a fierce activist for the rights of trans and gender-diverse persons globally. She comes with an excess of 20 years experience in the corporate business management and non-profit sectors, with extensive knowledge in finance, organizational development, and movement building. Originally from Southern Africa, she formed the first trans-specific and trans-led organization in Zimbabwe in 2015, after being unlawfully arrested for using a female restroom at a local hotel. She was instrumental in the formation of the Southern Africa Trans Forum [SATF], the strongest trans movement in Africa, which grew from 5 to 19 organizations in 3 years. She continues her bid to improve the plight of LGBTIQ persons globally in her work with OutRight Action International, GATE (Global Action for Trans Equality), IRGT (International Reference Group of Trans Women), SHE (Social Health Empowerment), South Africa, and Trans Bantu Association, Zambia.

A young trans feminist activist, Latiyah is the founder and Executive Director of Transgender and Rights, founded in Côte d’Ivoire in 2017. She is passionate about Human Rights, Social Justice and the Legal recognition of transgender people. Engaged towards her communities since 2015, she is also part of different initiatives in order to strengthen the work of LGBTIQ+, and specifically trans, organizations and communities from West Africa, as well as the living conditions of her local transgender community. Member of the African Queer Youth Initiative, she is the current Chair of the Board of Directors. Latiyah recently joined GATE as a board member to further her commitment to the recognition of the human rights of transgender people around the world. She is a representative-like of our West African trans* communities, who have not always had the opportunity to take positions at such a broad level. Bilingual, Latiyah will serve as a bridge between GATE and the trans and gender non conforming communities from French-speaking Africa.

Simon Petitjean is a trans man, Franco-British, holds a BSc in Economics and International Development from Bath University and a MPhil in International Relations from Oxford University, and has 10+ years of experience in international policy and human rights work. He has served on multiple boards including SOS homophobie, one leading French LGBTI NGO, as Treasurer. He has also worked for UNESCO on the first ever UN report tackling homophobic discrimination in the education sector. For 5 years, he has worked for the South African NGO, GIN-SSOGIE, leading their strategic engagement at the UN on matters of religion, gender and sexuality. He is now Senior Project Officer, Gender and Sexuality at ARTICLE 19.

Tamara Adrian is a lawyer and Doctor in Law, graduating with honors. She is a Law Professor, a Human Rights Activist and the first trans woman elected to the national parliament in Venezuela (2015). She is the President of the International Committee for the Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia IDAHOT (17 May); a member of the Board of Directors of AllOut, Icaso and PLAFAM; and she is a member of the Steering Committee of the World Movement for Democracy and of the Unesco Chair on Sexual Health and Human Rights.

Mulucha Jay is a Ugandan Transgender man and is a trans and human rights activist. He is the Executive Director and founder of Fem Alliance Uganda (FEMA), an LBTQ organization that advocates for respect and protection of their rights. Jay is the founding member and the current Board Chairperson of Trans Network Uganda and also sits on various boards and committees which include the Steering committee of the East Africa Trans Health & Advocacy Network (EATHAN), the International Trans Men and HIV Working Group, the Board of Trans Survivors Network, and he is a Country representative for Community Rights and Gender (CRG). He is also an Alumni with Young African Leaders Initiative (Mandela Washington Fellowship, 2017) at Bowling Green State University. Jay holds a certificate in leadership skills and is a graduate in computer science at Kampala International University. Jay Mulucha derives passion from trying to make Africa a friendlier place for current and future LGBTQ individuals.

Monalisa Akintole is a feminist, transgender human rights practitioner, researcher and health rights advocate with proven work experience in strategic-based policy advocacy for sexual and reproductive health and rights in ending all forms of discrimination against the transgender community in Uganda. She is also a certified counselor, leadership and management coach with a bachelor’s degree from Makerere university.

She is one of the youth consortium members of the vibrant young voices advisory board around issues of key populations with specific interest in issues to do with trans women. Currently, she is working at Transgender Equality Uganda (TEU) as the programs lead.

Zakaria has been involved in trans and queer feminist organizing in Lebanon since 2007. He was a member of Meem, an underground LBTQ group, since (2007), coordinated the group’s space between 2008 and 2011, and took on the coordination of the group between 2011 and 2013. He has since been part of various grassroots organizations and community spaces in Lebanon, as well as regional and trans-regional networks working on bodily autonomy. In 2016, Zakaria co-founded Qorras, a group producing queer feminist knowledge, where he leads on finance and fundraising and is involved in various initiatives. Since 2017, Zakaria co-leads the Tajassod working group in Qorras, which focuses on trans leadership, practical information and networking for trans individuals in Lebanon. Through various forms of engagement, Zakaria is committed to trans connectedness and liberation, and to the implementation of ethical structures and governance processes.