This historical event was a joint initiative organized by the Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN), Global Action for Trans Equality (GATE), the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), the Swedish Federation for LGBTQ Rights (RFSL), and Transgender Europe (TGEU).
During the week of June 5 – 9, 2017, trans activists met for a full-day strategic planning meeting; and produced and delivered two oral statements commenting on the latest reports of the Special Rapporteur on Health, the Independent Expert of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI), and the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions; attended private meetings with Special Procedures and their staff; met with representatives from UNAIDS, the Global Fund, UNHCR, and with the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights. They also attended a meeting between the Equal Rights Coalition and civil society organizations. Many of the activists also met with their Permanent Missions to the UN in Geneva as well as with other activists working regionally and internationally on human rights issues at the Council.
Follow the links to watch the video or read the statement of Manisha’s intervention on the right to mental health or to watch the video or read the statement of Ricky’s intervention on violence, discrimination, and legal gender recognition.
A key highlight of the week was the groundbreaking panel on Transgender People, Mental Health and Human Rights. Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn, the Independent Expert on SOGI issues, and Dr. Dainius Pūras, the Special Rapporteur on Health, presented at the panel, accompanied by the presentations of Viviane Vergueiro and Mauro Cabral Grinspan, and the moderation of Julia Ehrt. After the panel presentations, other participants spoke from the floor.
The Trans Advocacy Week was planned after trans activists’ participation in the Public Consultation called by the UN Independent Expert on SOGI in January 2017. Some participants in the Trans Advocacy Week, such as Erika Castellanos (Belize) and Ricky Nathanson (Zimbabwe), had already been part of that process. For other participants, such as Viviane Vergueiro (Brasil), Lady Gaga (Papua New Guinea), Yaya Aye Myat (Myanmar) and Fritz von Klein (Ukraine), this was their first time ever at the UN. These participants left excited and committed to UN trans advocacy.
I am, however, pleased to be part of this Trans Advocacy Week, and I would like something to happen in the future. Amongst the UN state members, if there is at least 2% of the ambassadors are transgender people then, I would die happily. Am I dreaming too much?
Yaya Aye Myat (Myanmar)
The organizers are already planning a second Trans Advocacy Week for June 2018 and additional engagements within UN spaces during the year.
This initiative shows what can be achieved by trans networks, organizations and networks working together, in spite of how scarce our resource are.
Mauro Cabral Grinspan, GATE Executive Director
Trans activists and trans issues have never been so visible at the Human Rights Council and UN spaces at large. This has been truly historic week and a start of a larger and sustained engagement with the UN.
Micah Grzywnowicz, International Advocacy Advisor at RFSL
Contact information:
Mauro Cabral Grinspan. Executive Director, GATE: mcabralgrinspan@gate.ngo
Cianán B. Russell. Human Rights & Advocacy Officer. Asia Pacific Transgender Network: cianan.russell@weareaptn.org
Micah Grzywnowicz. International Advocacy Advisor, The Swedish Federation for LGBTQ Rights (RFSL): micah.grzywnowicz@rfsl.se
Julia Ehrt. Executive Director, Transgender Europe: julia@tgeu.org
Zhan Chiam. Gender Identity and Gender Expression Senior Programme Officer. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA): zhan@ilga.org