Out of the Margins - A Global LBT+ Rights Project

For the latest information, resources and blogs, visit the project website.

All around the world lesbians, bi women and trans people (LBT+ communities) continue to be excluded by international movements and systems that should serve them. Out of the Margins was established in 2017, with the support of the FCDO, to advance LBT+ rights through research centred on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and rooted in local communities, using network-building and advocacy.  

Grounded in participatory and intersectional approaches, Stonewall delivered the first phase of the project in partnership with a network of 24 organisations across Europe and Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

The project focuses on five main issues where LBT+ communities continue to face severe marginalisation: 

• Economic wellbeing
• Education
• Health
• Personal security and violence
• Civic and political participation

In 2024, we have reactivated this network to tackle the impacts of the anti-rights movement and the rollback of LBT+ rights, and to seize opportunities of the SDGs in the lead-up to 2030. With three partners in the Caribbean, Southern Africa, and Eastern Europe, we will develop innovative local strategies to counter anti-rights movement tactics, focusing on SDGs priorities to advance LBT+ rights. 

Local learnings will be shared with the global network through an interactive digital platform and peer learning events, to strengthen technical and legal knowledge and skills across civil society organisations. This will create a sustained network of informed, enabled community leaders linked globally on advancing LBT+ rights, and ensure they are part of development initiatives.

Read more

• About Out of the Margins
• Key issues
• Resources
• Blog

Where we have worked

Argentina: Asociación Familias Diversas de Argentina

AFDA promotes and protects equal rights for LGBTIQ people and families across Argentina by conducting advocacy/research and providing advice, legal services, and safe participatory spaces. 

Botswana: Black Queer DocX (BQDX) 

BQDX is a collective of queer feminists working to attain human rights for all in Botswana by developing more equal, just, and inclusive communities.

Brazil: IBRAT

IBRAT aims to enhance the lives of trans men and transmasculine people in Brazil by promoting awareness of citizenship rights, improving access to healthcare and organising support groups. 

Burundi: MOLI

MOLI promotes LGBTQ rights in Burundi and the wider sub-region of the Congo, the DRC and Rwanda by lobbying for changes to the law and supporting the community to enact social change.

Chile: Organizando Trans Diversidades

Organizando Trans Diversidades promotes and defends the empowerment of trans people in Chile by working with public, private, and health institutions; conducting research; and providing legal advice and counselling.

Ecuador: Mujer & Mujer

Mujer & Mujer promotes the rights and wellbeing of lesbians, bi women and other sexual minority women in Ecuador through advocacy and providing psychological support, economic empowerment and leadership development.

Jamaica: TransWave

TransWave promotes the wellbeing of trans and gender non-conforming communities in Jamaica, taking a holistic approach to advocacy that addresses the mental, emotional and physical health of its communities.

Jamaica: Women’s Empowerment for Change (WE-Change)

WE-Change promotes the participation of LBT+ and ally women in social justice advocacy in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, and aims to create inclusive spaces and conduct advocacy and education on feminist literacy.

Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyz Indigo

Kyrgyz Indigo is working towards a Kyrgyzstan in which all LGBTIAQ people can live freely by conducting research, advocacy and engagement with state bodies as well as engaging with the community and LGBT+ networks.

Lesotho: The People’s Matrix Association

The People’s Matrix Association is working to promote LGBT rights in Lesotho by providing HIV testing services and counselling for MSM, alongside educating communities in collaboration with the Christian Council of Lesotho.

Macedonia: The LGBTI Support Centre

The LGBTI Support Centre promotes LGBT rights in the Republic of Macedonia by advocating for legislation and practice changes, as well as providing free legal aid and housing support for LGBTI people.

Montenegro: Association “Spectra”

Association "Spectra” is the only trans-led organisation in Montenegro, whose key activities include advocacy, providing access to social and healthcare services, raising visibility, and educating stakeholders.

Mozambique: LAMBDA

LAMBDA leads the LGBT movement in Mozambique by conducting advocacy and training as well as providing psychosocial support, safe and recreational spaces, and condom distribution.

Nigeria: The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs)

TIERs works to promote the rights of LGBT people in Nigeria through advocacy, research and service provision, as well as the education, empowerment and engagement of the public.

Nigeria: Women Initiative for Sustainable Empowerment and Equality (WISE)

WAGE is a Pan-African feminist LBQT organisation seeking to empower women and girls in northern Nigeria using human and sexual rights education, political and socio-economic empowerment, and law and justice.

Nigeria: Women’s Health and Equal Rights (WHER) Initiative

WHER Initiative is a feminist LBQ women-led organisation promoting the rights of LBQ women in Nigeria through advocacy, education, empowerment, psychosocial support, and research.

Peru: Más Igualdad Perú

Más Igualdad Perú fights for LGBTI rights and the recognition of LGBTI families across Peru, raising awareness around marriage equality, anti-discrimination, and recognition of trans identities.

South Africa: Matimba

Matimba.Org assists trans and/or gender variant youth and their families in South Africa by providing resources and creating safe spaces for community building. 

Trinidad and Tobago: I Am One

I Am One works for LGBTQIA and gender rights issues in Trinidad and Tobago by building community and providing safe spaces, education and expressive platforms for empowerment.

Uganda: Transgender Equality Uganda (TEU)

TEU advocates for trans women and trans sex workers in Uganda by mobilising the community, documenting rights violations, and facilitating access to health, legal and social services.

Venezuela: Diverlex

Diverlex is a collective of predominantly trans activists, as well as lesbian and gay activists, fighting for LGBT rights in Venezuela through public campaigns, capacity-building activities, conferences, and lobbying.

Zambia: Women’s Alliance for Equality (WAFE)

WAFE safeguards and supports the rights and wellbeing of women that have sex with women, lesbians, and bi and trans women in Zambia through advocacy, education, and documentation of rights violations.  

Zimbabwe: Voice of the Voiceless (VOVO)

VOVO is a feminist collective promoting LBTQI issues in Zimbabwe through advocacy, safe spaces, and developing an inclusive and intersectional women’s movement.