Board of Directors

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.

The trans diverse and intersex populations have always been at the mercy of a patriarchal, misogynistic, heteronormative world. We face unspeakable levels of violence, stigma, discrimination, and ostracization. Working at a high policy level, GATE has attempted to fight this cruel system. As a fierce advocator for the inclusion of all, I felt that it was vital for me to become part of the board. By joining forces with an organization that was already doing such meaningful work, I felt that my contribution would make that extra bit of difference and help the cause.

Rikki Nathanson

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.

GATE work is important because our different trans* communities are still left behind when it comes to talk about the effective realization of the Human Rights of people all around the world. GATE work is a broader way for us to advocate for our Rights since we have not always the spaces and opportunities to speak louder against issues and violations we are facing in our everyday lives. I found important to be engaged with GATE because it’s vital for me to be one of the pillars of the Global Advocacy we are about to do for our communities in terms of accessing Social Justices.

Orneill Latiyah

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.

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.

Fem Alliance (FEMA) is an LBTQ organization that brings together LBTQ persons in Uganda to advocate for respect and protection of their rights. Jay is the founding member and the current Board Chairperson of Trans Network Uganda and further sits on various boards and committees which include the steering committee of East Africa Trans Health & Advocacy Network (EATHAN), the International Trans Men and HIV Working Group, the Board of Trans Survivors Network and his Country Representative for Community Rights and Gender (CRG).

Jay is an alumnus of the Young African Leaders Initiative (Mandela Washington Fellowship, 2017) at Bowling Green State University. He holds a certificate in leadership skills and is a graduate of computer science at Kampala International University. He is also a basketball player, a qualified basketball coach, referee and also manages a queer basketball team in Uganda. Jay Mulucha derives passion from trying to make Africa a friendlier place for current and future LGBTQ individuals.

Monalisa 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 program’s lead.

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. 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.