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