International Transgender Day of Visibility

The People’s Matrix marked and celebrated the International Transgender Day of Visibility. 31st March is a day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of transgender people and raising awareness about the discrimination and violence they still face.

This year’s theme, “Trans Equality Now,” highlights the urgent need for equal rights and protections for transgender individuals around the world. Despite some progress in recent years, transgender people continue to face high rates of discrimination in education, employment, healthcare, and public accommodations.

The People’s Matrix in collaboration with Southern Africa Litigation Center (SALC) and Women and Law Southern Africa (WLSA)Lesotho jointly published a Gender Legal Recognition Brief, which is a document that provides information and guidance on the interpretation of the legal frameworm and challenges faced by transgender and non-conforming people in obtaining legal gender recognition in Lesotho.
The brief aims to provide emperical evidence based on up-to-date international scientific understanding and best practices, on issues pertaining to legal gender recognition, including changing ‘sex’ or ‘gender’ markers on identity documents. It also explains the relationship between sex and gender, gender-affirming practices and gender-affirming healthcare.

The event was graced with the presence of representatives from Trans identifying persons, who shared their experiences and challenges encountered in different spaces;business, education, health and politics.

One exceptional speaker, Sheriff Mothopeng, who became the first transgender individual to permeate the political space and actually got nominated to stand for a constituency in the October 2022 General Elections emphasized some of the challenges transgender persons still have to face. Sheriff highlighted and called out African countries on their silence regarding Uganda’s anti-LGBTIQ+ law, because they are failing to hold each other accountable.
Anti-LGBTIQ+ Law criminalizes any person that identity as LGBTIQ+ and any association. Sheriff indicated that the passing of that law has so many implications, “Until today, countries like Lesotho have not committed yet in writing if they recognize and protect LGBTIQ communities, so it leaves an opportunity for oppressors to one day wake up and criminalize the LGBTIQ+community.”

According to the Women and Law Southern Africa(Lesotho), Mpho Theko highlighted that, upto this far, Lesotho has no specific laws that protect or prohibit same sex relations. However, Theko indicated that the Counter-domestic Violence Act of 2022, which aims to protect the rights of all citizens in domestic relations of all forms of abuse, ‘could’ also protect same sex couples. This is because in terms of the Act, domestic relations vary from married couples, co-habiting couples, dating couples and intimate couples etc.
In attendance as well was a representative from Department of Gender, Mahali Sekants’i. Sekants’i indicated that the Gender policy does recognise gender is diverse, however the classification of the marginalized groups within the policy is not specific as to who are these marganalized groups.

There are many challenges that still need to be addressed. That as it may be, the transgender community remains resilient and vibrant, with many individuals leading the way in activism, art, business and sports. Transgender people are making their voices heard and demand change.

On this day of visibility, let us celebrate the achievements of transgender people and commit ourselves to fighting for their full equality and human rights. As Moruti Mbela said, “We need to move from a place of shame to self-worth, self acceptance and self understanding.”

Also in attendance were representatives from the military, ministry of education and ministry of health.

PRESS RELEASE                    

16 November 2022

TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE 

The People’s Matrix Association was established in 2008 as a unique Non – Governmental Organisation. The organization is charged with creating an enabling environment for people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion, and cooperation among LGBTIQA+ people in Lesotho and developing new partnerships nationally, regionally, and worldwide.

For generations, the transgender population has suffered various forms of abuse (and even death) for challenging the views, notions, and stereotypes around “male” and “female” identities. Every year we set aside November 20th as a Transgender Day of Remembrance. This day is meant to honor, commemorate, and memorialize those who face discrimination and stigma (often on a daily basis) across the nation. This day is also meant to advocate for transgender people’s rights and focus on the persistent struggles they face in their everyday lives, and how others can share their love, support, and hope.

International research, as well as analysis from Lesotho, suggests that not being able to change one’s gender marker impacts access to healthcare and mentnal health and well-being. For example, one in three transgender people in Lesotho (36 percent) is denied access to health care.

The Gender Legal Recognition, jointly published by the People’s Matrix Association, Women and Law Southern Africa (WILSA), and Southern African Litigation Center (SALC),  also provides information and guidance on the interpretation of the legal framework and other social challenges faced by transgender and gender non-conforming people in obtaining legal gender recognition. This is presented as a solution to mitigate discrimination against transgender and gender-diverse persons. The report can be found here

The People’s Matrix Association will host a march and gather strategic stakeholders in government and NGO space. We will start with a peace march to raise awareness, followed by sessions where we will reflect on the advocacy and commitments necessary to promote, protect, and realize the rights of people with diverse gender identities and expressions.

Details are as follows:

08h00: Solidarity March – Setsoto Stadium to Victoria Hotel 

10h00: Victoria Hotel; Machabeng Hall

The theme for the day is Black attire: Please bring a candle for the candle vigil.

END

UPDATE!!!

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The People’s Matrix Association is pleased to invite you to the commemoration of Transgender Remembrance Day 2022 which will be held on Friday 18 November 2022.

We invite you to celebrate this day with us in solidarity with the fallen transgender souls in the LGBTI community.

We will start with a peace march to raise awareness, followed by sessions where we will reflect on the advocacy and commitments necessary to promote, protect, and realize the rights of people with diverse gender identities and expressions.

Details are as follows:

08h00: Solidarity March – Setsoto Stadium to Victoria Hotel

10h00: Victoria Hotel Machabeng Hall

The theme for the day is Black attire: Please bring along a candle for the candle vigil.

TRANS DAY OF REMEMBRANCE 2022

For generations, the transgender population has suffered various forms of abuse (and even death) for challenging the views, notions, and stereotypes around “male” and “female” identity. Every year we set aside November 20 as a Transgender Day of Remembrance. This holiday is meant to honor, commemorate, and memorialize those who face discrimination and stigma (often on a daily basis) across the nation. This holiday is also meant to advocate for transgender people’s rights as well as focus on the persistent struggles they face in their everyday lives, and how others can share their love, support, and hope.

Join The People Matrix Association for a solidarity March and speeches on the 18th of November. Details on the location to follow in the week.

WE’RE HIRING!

Call for applications

The People’s Matrix Association invites suitable candidates for the position of Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for EpiC project.

Roles: The EpiC M&E Officer will be responsible for:

1. Providing the technical and strategic oversight of M&E activities within the key populations program,

2. for ensuring that the program maintains its strategic vision, and that its activities realize the intended outputs and outcomes in a cost effective and timely manner.

3. The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring that suitable monitoring and evaluation systems are in place, implemented as intended, and

4. that there is reporting in a comprehensive and timely manner to facilitate the effective program implementation and achievement of desired outcomes and impacts.

5. The incumbent will also be responsible for leading the planning and implementation of research and learning activities within the program.

Applicants must send their Curriculum Vitae, Cover letter and copy of qualifications to lepotamasamo@gmail.com

Deadline: 11th November 2022

World Sexual Health Day 2022

Image by Doni Hariyanto

4 September is celebrated globally as World Sexual Health Day, an awareness day that promotes global advocacy to promote the best practices in sexual health.

Sexual health is about caring for ourselves and each other, and celebrating our bodies’ capacities, including the capacity for pleasure. It’s about relationships built upon mutual trust and respect, and creating a place of safety from which we can express ourselves, explore and connect with others.

This year’s theme for WSHD ‘Let’s Talk Pleasure’, which identifies the role of sexual pleasure in overall sexual health and well-being.

Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality, not just the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity, the WAS website states. It requires a “positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships,” as well as the possibility of experiencing pleasure, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.

Here are the 16 WAS rights to Sexual Health:

1. The right to equality and non-discrimination

2. The right to life, liberty, and security of the person

3. The right to autonomy and bodily integrity

4. The right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.

5. The right to be free from all forms of violence and coercion

6. The right to privacy

7. The right to the highest attainable standard of health, including sexual health; with the possibility of pleasurable, satisfying, and safe sexual experiences

8. The right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its application

9. The right to information

10. The right to education and the right to comprehensive sexuality education

11. The right to enter, form, and dissolve marriage and other similar types of relationships based on equality and full and free consent

12. The right to decide whether to have children, the number and spacing of children, and to have the information and the means to do so

13. The right to the freedom of thought, opinion, and expression

14. The right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly

15. The right to participation in public and political life

16. The right to access to justice, remedies, and redress

Sexual health is inseparable from the full enjoyment of human rights, including every person’s right to bodily autonomy according to UNFPA.

We will also be celebrating World Sexual Health Week 12 – 18 September. Be on the look out for activities to be able to participate.

For those requiring more information or would like access to sexual health services, pay us a visit at the Matrix offices and/or contact us on our social media pages and we may be able to assist you.

IDAHOBiT 2022: Press Statement

May 2, 2022

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2022 “Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights” LGBTIQ+ across the country with The Peoples Matrix will celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBiT) on the 14th, 17th, 21st and the 28th of May, 2022 in four different districts.

The theme for this year’s annual celebration is “Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights.” A great theme under which many forms of advocacy are possible: claiming our rights to live our sexualities and to express our gender(s) freely, but also demanding to be from physical violence, from conversion so-called “therapies” to forced sterilisation of Trans and Intersex people. A theme that reminds us that many of us across the world live LGBTQI-phobias in their very flesh every day and that our bodies are being abused, ruining our lives.

Coming together as LGBTIQ+ persons and stakeholders continues to be a critical component of fostering a culture of equality. During IDAHOBiT, we will acknowledge the turbulent history of the LGBTIQ+ civil rights movement, as well as celebrating the courage, strength, and resilience that defines this willful community. In the midst of adversity and the pursuit of equality, the members of the LGBTIQ+ community will share their stories of overcoming and living pridefully with confidence and bravery on all media platforms.

LGBTIQ+ are musicians, artists, inventors, business leaders, educators, and healers. They are lawmakers and activists, and family members. If we are to live up to the democratic ideals that set the foundation for this country. We must ensure that all Basotho have an equal opportunity to live freely and successfully, and we must treat all with respect and dignity. No one should ever be persecuted or held back from living their lives because of who they are or who they love. Our bodies should not make us subjects of violence, but should allow us to enjoy our human rights in a diverse way. Love is love and it is stronger than hate. Matrix will seek to advance the human rights in Lesotho with specific focus on SOGIE.

For more information, contact: +266 58811547/58183362

Physical Address: Naomi House Building02/296 Bowker Road, Old Europa, Maseru

IDAHOBiT 2022

We are excited to announce this year’s IDAHOBiT Calendar. We shall be hosting a total of four events this year in the following districts:

Mohale’s Hoek for the Southern Districts (14th May)

Thaba-Tseka (17th May)

Butha-Buthe in the North (21st May)

Maseru (May 28th)

Please note that the hosting district will be hosting two other districts for the event in their general cardinal orientation, with a special exception for Thaba-Tseka and Maseru. Therefore, IDAHOBiT Butha-buthe will host Leribe and Berea; IDAHOBiT Mohale’s-Hoek will play host to Mafeteng and Quthing.

This year’s theme is Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights

A great theme under which many forms of advocacy are possible: claiming our rights to live our sexualities and to express our gender(s) freely, but also demanding to be from physical violence, from conversion so-called “therapies” to forced sterilisation of Trans and Intersex people.

A theme that reminds us that many of us across the world live LGBTQI-phobias in their very flesh every day and that our bodies are being abused, ruining our lives. Our bodies are our lives. And we have a right to live free and in dignity!

Happy Trans Day of Visibility!

I have devoted my life to my activism. I am my activism. I will never be shamed into thinking that passing will ever make me feel secure in the illusion.
Yes, passing allows me privileges that others who are not as fortunate as I am do not have, and that is normally a chance to be socially accepted and loved. But this usually comes at a price: to hide from everyone what you truly are. This is precisely why my openness about my transgenderism is so important.
Inherited stigma is a thing, and it is part of the transphobia perpetrated by society, making our lives and those that choose to love us difficult. Transgender people deserve love free of stigma to those that choose to love them.
Being transgender is only a part of who I am. I deserve to be loved in my truth: fully, openly, shame-free. In fact, I deserve to be celebrated. Not everyone gets the chance to self-correct in this lifetime.
I could pass with the best of them, and I would still choose to publicly embrace my history over and over again.
Happy Trans Day of visibility!

Author: Giselle

International Transgender Day of Visibility

The 31st March is a day to celebrate transgender people and raise awareness on the discrimination they face everyday. In our country, transgender people are still discriminated despite calling ourselves “progressing” country.

The language taken on by newspapers and media is full of prejudice and hatred, there is a total unwillingness in changing our narratives. The country is full of amazing and talented transgender people, who some of them do not reveal themselves because of the fear of mistreatment for their identity.

To stop this, we must act on the education and cultural system. Politicians, journalists and public figures cannot get away with their transphobia anymore, it’s time to act and support the transgender community everywhere.

Send love to a trans cutie in your life today.