Board Candidates 2025

Caribbean Region

Frére Jonathan Beclard

Frére Jonathan Beclard is the Founding President of Centre LGBT Chrétien Je suis aimé.e de Dieu, where he leads initiatives that promote mental health, spiritual and emotional wellbeing, and the fight against HIV. He brings valuable experience through his ordination and formal leadership within a faith community, offering spiritual guidance especially within the French-speaking world.

Committed to the values of the Global South, member-led structures, and intersectionality, Frére Jonathan considers these principles essential for building inclusive and transformative movements. He believes his dynamism and leadership experience would be a benefit to the GIN Board.

Lucien Govaard

Innovative and dedicated Surinamese-Caribbean development worker, who specializes in Communications for Development; Program Design, Implementation and Evaluation; Public Policy; and Governance.

Mr. Govaard, a graduate of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of the West Indies (Mona - Kingston, Jamaica), and a student pursuing a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development at the Catholic University of Murcia, Spain (UCAM - online), is committed to supporting organizations, particularly those with philanthropic and social change mandates, become and remain purpose-driven and results-oriented as they deliver high quality initiatives, programs, and services. Robust values, spiritual grounding and technical skills allow Mr. Govaard to excel at working both independently and collaboratively, within established frameworks of operation.

Alongside formal academic training and technical competencies, he brings to the table 15 years of relevant programmatic, executive level and governance experience. Mr. Govaard has made- and continues to make- impactful contributions to the advancement of public policy at the national, regional and international levels, particularly in the field of HIV, Adolescent Health, and Youth Development, among others. Mr. Govaard is adept at managing multi-stakeholder, participatory processes successfully.

Through his various designations, Mr. Govaard continues to advance a career focused on equity, justice and affecting rights-based public policy reforms at the local, regional, and global level.

Patrick Lalor

Patrick Lalor has been working with vulnerable populations on Sexual and Reproductive health and Human Rights for over fifteen (15) years. He Holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and is currently completing studies in Law. He also hold professional certification from the University of Washington in Leadership and management in health and is a certified court mediator

Patrick is passionate about defending the rights of vulnerable and marginalised people and is an advocate that challenges discrimination and marginalisation at the highest levels. In the last decade he has worked in the field of HIV as an advocate for Policy and Legislative changes that will improve conditions for people living with and affected by HIV. He has contributed to the review and or enactment of numerous pieces of legislation to ensure that the law is fair balanced and does not disproportionately affect vulnerable groups or infringe on their human rights. Some of these include Jamaica’s Sexual Offences Act, Offences Against the person Act, Domestic Violence Act, Child Care and Protection Act, Data Protection Act and Sexual Harassment Act. In 2021 he was awarded the Robert Carr Award for Human Rights by the National HIV Programme of the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Jamaica. He has been the lead coordinator behind one of the largest advocacy initiatives to end violence against women in Jamaica for the last 8 years.

He currently serves as a director of the Board of Children of the MAAFA AND Acting chair of the Board of Directors of the Jamaica Youth Advocacy network. He has made appeared on numerous stages nationally and international as a voice against discrimination of vulnerable groups in Jamaica. Patrick Loves travelling and plays the piano in his spare time.

Richard Wilson

Richard Wilson, originally from Jamaica, is a final year Bachelor of Social Work student at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean. Their academic and professional pursuits are grounded in a strong commitment to human rights, social justice, and community empowerment. Richard currently serves as a Steering Committee member with the Black LGBTQI+ Movement Project, where they contribute to policy direction and advocacy for equity and inclusion. In addition, they work as a Case Manager at a Transitional Housing Program, supporting individuals experiencing housing insecurity, and are the co-founder and executive director of Lighthouse Equality Advocacy Project, an initiative dedicated to advancing the rights of the Black LJBTQI+ community. Richard’s leadership and service reflect a deep dedication to dismantling structural barriers while fostering inclusive spaces for dialogue, resilience, and empowerment.

East and South East Asia Region

Kyle Neo Kai Fu

Kyle Neo is the founder of Rainbodhi Singapore, a pioneering community bringing queer Buddhist voices to the forefront of Singapore’s LGBTQ+ landscape. With unwavering dedication, Kyle has curated transformative programs that weave together the Dharma and queer lived experiences — from mindfulness workshops based on the Four Immeasurables to tea appreciation ceremonies, and an annual interfaith dialogue uniting queer Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim organizations.

As an author, Kyle has written several books debunking misconceptions about LGBTQ+ rights in Buddhist contexts, creating a much-needed bridge of understanding within Buddhist circles toward greater inclusivity and compassion.

Beyond written work, Kyle actively amplifies these conversations through podcasts and public sharings, most notably exploring the question: “What has queerness got to do with Buddhism?”His voice continues to inspire awareness, dialogue, and healing — shaping a more inclusive spiritual community for all.

Kyle believes that Global South–centered work is about recognizing that spiritual practice, queer liberation, and community care must reflect the cultural, economic, and political conditions of where we live. In Singapore and across the Global South, LGBTQ+ communities face distinct challenges shaped by colonial histories, religious interpretations, and uneven access to resources. Centering the Global South means valuing our own narratives and solutions rather than importing models that may not fit our realities.

Our strength lies in being community-driven. Every program, workshop, and dialogue is not imposed top-down but co-created with the voices of those who participate. Volunteers, facilitators, and community members guide what matters most — whether it’s mental health support, spiritual connection, or advocacy. This keeps our work accountable and responsive.

Our work cannot be single-issue. The lived experience of LGBTQ+ people intersects with faith, mental health, gender, race, and class. Through workshops on Buddhist psychology, mindfulness practices, and myth-debunking, we acknowledge these overlaps and provide spaces where people don’t have to choose one identity over another. Intersectionality ensures we create programming that is compassionate, inclusive, and politically aware.

Ultimately, this means our organization is not just about wellness or spirituality in isolation — it’s about weaving care, justice, and creativity together in ways that reflect our local realities while remaining connected to broader global struggles.

My approach to spiritual leadership is rooted in Buddhist psychology, mindfulness practice, and community care, always with a lens of inclusivity and compassion for LGBTQ+ identities. Through my writing, workshops, facilitation, and guided experiences, I help people connect with teachings in ways that are accessible, affirming, and transformative.

I lead workshops on the Four Immeasurables (loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity), offer Tea Mindfulness Ceremonies, and create safe spaces to explore Buddhist perspectives on sexuality and identity. These practices help participants ground themselves spiritually while affirming their lived experiences.

In my books Carry Yourself Kindly Through Everyday and What’s Not Confusing About Sex?, I translate Buddhist teachings into tools for mental health, resilience, and myth-debunking — making spirituality not only relevant but liberating for LGBTQ+ people.

As a founder, I already provide leadership by designing programs, mentoring volunteers, and setting a compassionate, member-led direction for our work. Spiritually, this translates into modeling kindness, clarity, and inclusivity in every aspect of our programming.

As a licensed tourist guide, I bring the skill of leading temple tours into our work. This allows me to contextualize teachings within sacred spaces, connecting history, architecture, and Buddhist practice with contemporary LGBTQ+ perspectives. These embodied experiences help participants not only learn but also feel spiritually rooted in place and culture, furthering my vision of a living, accessible, and inclusive spirituality.

Representing the organization, I would carry forward this same spirit: offering teachings that are authentic yet adapted to the Global South context, amplifying LGBTQ+ voices in faith spaces, and embodying a leadership style that is nurturing, ethical, and intersectional.

For me, spiritual leadership is not just teaching doctrine, but holding space for healing, growth, and belonging — both within our organization and in the wider community."

I have extensive experience in creating and facilitating religious dialogue, particularly at the intersections of faith, sexuality, and inclusion.

Podcast Guest Speaker: I was invited as a guest speaker in an 8-episode podcast series with GIN-SSOGIE, where I shared insights on Buddhism, LGBTQ+ identities, and spiritual resilience. This contribution created space for dialogue across traditions while centering lived experiences from the Global South.

Interfaith Panels: Each year, I participate in interfaith discussions in Singapore alongside queer Muslim, Christian, and Hindu communities. These panels foster understanding across faith traditions while highlighting the shared struggles and hopes of LGBTQ+ people of faith.

Public Speaking & Pride Month Engagements: As a speaker during Singapore Pride Month, I presented on “What has my queerness got to do with Buddhism?”, bringing Buddhist perspectives into broader LGBTQ+ advocacy spaces. This opened dialogue not only within Buddhist communities but also with allies from other religious and secular groups.

Through these engagements, I have developed the ability to bridge traditions, translate complex teachings into accessible conversations, and hold space for both agreement and difference. For me, religious dialogue is about creating conditions where people feel safe enough to ask difficult questions, share their truths, and recognize common ground.

This experience directly informs my leadership: I see dialogue not as debate, but as a spiritual practice of listening, compassion, and mutual transformation." "I bring to the GIN Board the perspective of being a queer Buddhist practitioner, educator, and community leader from the Global South. My life experiences and work are deeply shaped by navigating faith, sexuality, and culture in Singapore — a context where LGBTQ+ identities are often misunderstood or silenced within religious spaces.

As the founder of Rainbodhi Singapore, I have led community programming that bridges Buddhist psychology, mindfulness, and LGBTQ+ wellbeing, while also managing volunteers, strategy, and creative outreach. My work includes authoring two books — Carry Yourself Kindly Through Everyday and What’s Not Confusing About Sex? — which explore mental health, kindness, and the intersection of queerness and Buddhism.

I also bring the lived experience of engaging in interfaith dialogue:

As a guest speaker on an 8-episode podcast series with GIN-SSOGIE, contributing Buddhist perspectives on LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Through yearly interfaith panels in Singapore with queer Muslim, Christian, and Hindu communities.

As a speaker during Singapore Pride Month, presenting on “What has my queerness got to do with Buddhism?”.

Additionally, my skill as a licensed tourist guide enriches my vision by enabling me to lead temple tours that contextualize Buddhist teachings within culture, history, and lived spirituality — making faith spaces more accessible to LGBTQ+ people.

These intersecting identities — queer, Asian, Buddhist, Global South community leader — inform my commitment to intersectionality, member-led organizing, and cultural authenticity. On the GIN Board, I will bring not only organizational and creative skills but also a grounded perspective: one that insists our narratives, strategies, and spiritual practices emerge from our own contexts and lived truths.

Missael Hotman Napitupulu (Ael)

Missael Hotman Napitupulu (Ael) is an interfaith and LGBTQI+ rights advocate with over 8 years of experience at the intersection of faith, youth leadership, SRHR, HIV, and inclusion. He has served in executive roles within national youth organizations and networks, where he has led multi-year programs on gender, sexuality, HIV, and interfaith advocacy, mobilizing partnerships with grassroots communities, civil society, and progressive religious leaders. He has also served in governance roles, including two terms on the Board of Youth LEAD Asia-Pacific and as Chair of the Board of the Young Key Population Network in Indonesia. In addition, he has worked with UN agencies such as UNFPA and UNAIDS on HIV and youth programs. With a background in theology and a record of coalition-building, he brings both lived experience and professional expertise to advancing faith-based approaches that uphold human rights, dignity, and diversity.

Ryan Figueiredo

Ryan Joseph Figueiredo is the Founder and Executive Director of Equal Asia Foundation, the only LGBTIQ+ think tank and innovations incubator in Asia dedicated to strategic foresight and future-proofing for vulnerable LGBTIQ+ communities. Under his leadership, Equal Asia Foundation has become a regional leader in intersectional advocacy and policy innovation, particularly focusing on issues that remain underexplored in LGBTIQ+ discourse—such as ageing, later life, and end-of-life care for LGBTIQ+ persons.

With a career spanning more than two decades across development, academia, and private sector consulting, Ryan brings a multidisciplinary approach to advancing LGBTIQ+ rights. He has held strategic roles at KPMG and PwC, taught public policy and health systems at the University of Leicester, and led programming at global organisations including the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the APCOM Foundation. He has studied at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and the University of Oxford.

Equal Asia Foundation’s mission is especially urgent in the Asian context. The region is undergoing a profound demographic shift marked by rapidly ageing populations, yet it remains one of the least prepared globally in terms of social protection infrastructure. Many countries across Asia continue to criminalise LGBTIQ+ identities, further marginalising these communities and limiting their access to livelihood, healthcare, housing, and dignified ageing.

Through foresight, coalition-building, and community-led research, Ryan and the Equal Asia Foundation are reimagining what inclusive futures can look like for LGBTIQ+ people in Asia—where dignity, care, and protection are extended across the life course.

Europe, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand Region

Benjamin Oh

Affiliations: GLBTIQA+ Interfaith & Intercultural Network Australia (GIIN) - Equal Voices - Rainbow Catholics Interagency Australia - Asia Pacific Rainbow Catholics Network

Co-Chair of Organisations.

Being a Global South-centered organization, member-led, and intersectional means to be led and be centred by the lived reality and experiences of LGBTIQA+(SOGIESC) siblings who face multiple disadvantages in communities and countries that are continually experiencing the effects of colonisation and neocolonialism. To work in dismantling cisheteropatriarchal praxists, systems and structures imposed from the global north that continues to plague our socio, religious, cultural , legal, media, economic and developmental frameworks. To ensure that all our SOGIESC siblings who are minoritised and displaced in our communities of faith and cultures are able to have their voices heard at decision making processes that are trauma informed and lived experience led.

I have worked and led with faith and interfaith communities and organizations, providing spiritual and pastoral service, support and leadership.

I have experience in Creating Religious Dialogue, have held Formal leadership within a faith community, and I work with both Global South and Global North communities as a queer person of colour, migrant, displaced, with a rainbow family and working in religious communities within and outside of the LGBTIQA+ / SOGIESC Community.

Strong collegial networks

Public speaking skills

Skills in content development for educational materials

Experience in Creating Religious Dialogue

Experience in Training and Educational Resources

Experience in Media and Global Messaging

Experience in Human Rights, Policy, and Legal Advocacy

Experience in Creating Safer Spaces and Skills for Maintaining Groups/Movement Work

Patrick Newton Bondo

One of the first things I learned as a social worker trained in Aotearoa New Zealand, Te Wānanga O Aotearoa (University of New Zealand), and as an international development leader is the importance of advocating for human rights for marginalized populations and their communities.

From day one, I understood that my role was not just about providing well-being, livelihood support, and resources but also about being a voice for those who might not have one. As someone trained in community development and leadership at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada, I have engaged in meaningful conversations about truth and reconciliation in Canada. I took responsibility by learning about best practices and supporting 2SLGBTIQ+ individuals worldwide, as well as Indigenous communities across Canada—including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit—as well as 2SLGBTIQ+ Black and People of Color communities. I am fluent in English, French, Swahili, Zulu, and Māori.

I have advanced the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals by taking action to address today's most urgent challenges. I believe that sharing responsibilities requires a global effort to build a stronger, safer, and more inclusive world that leaves no one behind.

I have been recognized with the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Award in February 2025, created to mark the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. It recognizes Canadians who have made significant contributions to a particular province, territory, region, or community in Canada, or who have achieved outstanding accomplishments abroad that bring credit to our country.

Patrick Newton Bondo's contributions to public policy have been transformative. As a community leader and practitioner, I have collaborated with government bodies and United Nations agencies to develop policies addressing major issues such as widespread poverty and inequality, which result in food insecurity, lack of access to healthcare and education, and escalating humanitarian crises driven by conflict and natural disasters. Additionally, significant environmental problems such as biodiversity loss and water scarcity pose a serious threat.

Steven Paulikas

The Rev. Steven Paulikas is an Episcopal priest. Since 2011, he has been rector of All Saints' Church, a diverse and growing parish in New York City. He is co-founder of the Georgian Episcopal Mission, an LGBTQ+ affirming worshipping community for Georgian speakers in New York. In 2023-24, he was an inaugural fellow of the American German Institute's "Building LGBTQ+ Communities in Germany and the U.S." program. His opinion writing on religion and society has appeared in The New York Times, the Financial Times, The Washington Post, and elsewhere. He is a board member of Episcoopal Relief & Development, which works to promote early childhood development, empowerment for women and girls, and climate resilience on four continents, and was previously a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Latin America Region

Bob Luiz Botelho

ENG

Bob Luiz Botelho is an ordained queer pentecostal reverend and is a Master's degree student/candidate in International Relations (UNIFESP), with a career that combines global advocacy and community ministry. As the founder of Evangelicals for Diversity (Evangélicxs Pela Diversidade), the first LGBTI+ evangelical initiative in Latin America, Bob serves at the OAS and international coalitions at the intersection of human rights and religious freedom. His expertise in multi-sector diplomacy is recognized by the UN, where he served as UN Religion Fellow by Outright International.

Bob specializes in biblical translation and pastors locally, integrating affirmative liturgy and spirituality to create safe spaces. He is an active voice in interfaith dialogue, mobilizing coalitions across denominational boundaries on pressing issues such as socio-environmental and climate justice in the Amazon. He served as an intern at GIN in 2020 in Programs and Advocacy during the pandemic, working alongside the Staff and Executive Director. He is also active in the Latin American group, providing mobilization and simultaneous translation into Spanish, Portuguese, and English.

ESP
Bob Luiz Botelho es un reverendo pentecostal queer ordenado y estudia una Maestría en Relaciones Internacionales (UNIFESP), cuya carrera combina la incidencia política global y el pastorado comunitario. Como fundador de Evangélicxs por la Diversidad, la primera iniciativa (no eclesial) evangélica LGBTI+ en Latinoamérica, Bob trabaja en la OEA y en coaliciones internacionales en la intersección de los derechos humanos y la libertad religiosa. Su experiencia en diplomacia multilateral es reconocida por la ONU, donde fue miembro asociado para temas de religión de la ONU por Outright International.

Bob se especializa en traducción bíblica y pastorea localmente, integrando la liturgia afirmativa y la espiritualidad para crear espacios seguros. Es una voz activa en el diálogo interreligioso, movilizando coaliciones que trascienden las fronteras denominacionales en torno a temas urgentes como la justicia socio ambiental y climática en la Amazonía. Ha servido en GIN como pasante (internship) en 2020 en el área de Incidencia, Advocacy y Programas, durante la pandemia, trabajando junto al Staff e Diretoria Executiva y está activo en el grupo de América Latina, desempeñándose con movilización y traducción simultánea al español, portugués e inglés.

Frank Evelio Arteaga Flores

Profesional especializado en Cooperación al Desarrollo y Gestión de Proyectos Sociales, con énfasis en proyectos de Derechos Humanos, Desarrollo Humano, Medio Ambiente, Prevención del VIH, Derechos de Personas LGBT, Jóvenes e Incidencia Política, Personas Adultas Mayores, Personas Indígenas, Campesinas y Originarias, con especialidad en Diseño e Implementación de Proyectos Sociales, Sistemas Administrativos Contables, Contabilidad para ONGs, Fortalecimiento Organizacional a Organizaciones no Gubernamentales, Procesos de Fundraising (Búsqueda de Fondos y Recursos). Creyente de la Fé Bahá´í desde los 18 años, ha sido fundador de varias redes LGBTI nacionales, y ha participado de la junta directiva de Ilga World y de varias asociaciones LGBTI en Bolivia y en América Látina, actualmente es presidente del directorio de Manodiversa y desarrollan el programa Fé y Diversidad desde donde se promueve la espiritualidad y el respeto a la. diversidad religiosa.

Nicolai Wald

Activista panameño comprometido con la promoción de la diversidad, la equidad y la inclusión en el ámbito laboral. Como hombre transgénero, mi labor se centra en visibilizar y defender los derechos de las personas trans en Panamá. Actualmente, me desempeño como presidente de la organización Hombres Trans Panamá y de la Red de Colectivos Americanos de Hombres Trans y Personas Disidentes Asignadas Femeninas al Nacer (REDCAHT+), conformada por 10 países. También soy coordinador del comité trans de ILGA LAC. En estos espacios, busco crear entornos seguros, con enfoque en el autocuidado, el bienestar espiritual y el apoyo comunitario para las personas trans, especialmente para las comunidades trans masculinas en Latinoamérica y el Caribe.

He participado en programas internacionales como Building Bridges: Influentials para Activistas LGBTQ de América Latina en los Países Bajos, lo que refleja mi compromiso con el fortalecimiento de redes y el intercambio de experiencias a nivel global. Formo parte del grupo de trabajo internacional sobre Hombres Trans y VIH de Global Action for Trans Equality y soy supporting member de la World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). Además, soy profesional de la salud y estudiante de Derecho, orgullosamente casado con una mujer trans.

José Rodolfo Vargas Aramayo

Rodolfo, born in La Paz, Bolivia, has dedicated his life to defending human rights, faith, and diversity. With a background in Theology from Bogotá, Colombia, and long-standing involvement in the TLGB Collective of Bolivia and the Ecumenical Theology Network of Bolivia, he now drives change from the Coordinadora de la Mujer, strengthening the leadership of diverse women and promoting feminist and inclusive agendas.

With knowledge and understanding of Spanish, Portuguese, English, and French, Rodolfo brings not only experience and commitment, but also the ability to connect across cultures and regions. His candidacy for the GIN Board of Directors is an opportunity to add an intersectional perspective that builds bridges, amplifies voices, and advances social justice and equality.

Rodolfo believes that diversity is our greatest strength and that alliances are key to transforming realities.

Tamara Adrian

Lawyer, Doctor in law, Professor of Law, Lawmaker at the National Assembly of Venezuela (2016-2021).

Tamara Adrián is a Venezuelan lawyer, graduated at the Andrés Bello Catholic University in Caracas, summa cum laude, 1976. She further obtained the Doctorate in Law degree, mention très bien at Paris 2 University, France, 1982, and a Diploma in Comparative Law from the Paris Institute of Comparative Law, this same year. She is a professor for undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees at the Andrés Bello Catholic University (retired now), Central University and at the Metropolitan University of Venezuela, in several subjects: torts and contracts, commercial law, corporations, capital markets, international contracts, consumers’ law and general theory of law. She is author of many articles and books relating the matters she teaches, as well as LGTTTBI law. Her works had been published in Venezuela, Colombia, France, United States, Holland, Peru and other countries.

She is the President for the Committee of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO-T). She is the Female Co-President of GLISA Gay, Lesbian, Trans, Intersex Sport Association organizers of the World Outgames. She is the President of the Board of Directors of GATE Global Action for Trans Equality. She was the Co-Secretary General Alternate (2013-2015) and the former World Trans Secretary (2010-2013) of ILGA. She is member of the Board of Directors of All Out (2016- ). She is member of the Scientific Committee for the Chair Human Rights and Sexuality of the UNESCO. She is member of the Board of Directors of WPATH, and PLAFAM. She is member of the Advisory Committee of HRH and member of the Scientific Committee on Sexuality for the WAS.

As a transsexual lesbian woman, she has a constant activity aiming at the recognition and protection of the civil and human rights of lesbian, gays, transsexual, transgender and intersexual people. As a feminist woman, she is part of the women’s movement of Venezuela, and she has been involved in all the fights concerning protection of women rights. She has been a lecturer in both LGBTTTI and gender legal issues, in Venezuela, Colombia, Switzerland, France, Argentina, Peru, Italy, among other countries.

She has acted as special advisor on Human Rights for the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization, relating sexual health and sexuality. She was part of the International Committee that reviewed and approved the current WPATH Standards of Care for Trans and Intersex People and member of the Board of Directors.

She is member of the Board of directors of Asociación Civil Plafam, the Venezuelan correspondent association for IPPF. She was part of the drafting committee for the Proposal of an American Convention on Sexual Rights and Reproductive Rights, coordinated by Catholics for Choice and the Campaign for a Convention.

She was awarded with the Human Rights Prize “Luis Maria Olaso” first edition, 2009, and the special mention of the Human Rights Prize of the Embassy of Canada in Venezuela 2012, with the Award of HR and Sexual Rights of the InterAmerican Association of Sexology and with the Award Future of Manhood for the 20^th Anniversary of Promundo Global.

She has been involved in all the strategic litigations concerning LGTTTBI rights in Venezuela and Latin America.

Recently published articles:

- Un ensayo de la determinación de la situación actual del problema a la luz del examen del derecho comparado, Traxexualidad, travestilidade e direito à saúde, col. Democracia, Estado Laico e Direitos Humanos, Comissao de Ciudadania e Reproducao, Sao Paulo, 2010, pp. 9-74.

- Discriminación laboral por razón de orientación sexual e identidad de género (Un ensayo de derecho comparado para tratar de determinar por qué Venezuela se encuentra en uno de los últimos lugares de América Latina en la materia), en Derecho del Trabajo, Nº 7, 2009, Fundación Universitas, Barquisimeto, 2009, pp. 293-352.

- “Algunas bases conceptuales para un código contemporáneo de las actividades de producción y distribución de bienes y servicios” en Bicentenario del Código de Comercio Francés, Academia de Ciencias Políticas y Sociales, Serie Eventos, 2008, pp. 123-160. Publicado también, con adaptaciones, Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá Colombia, Revista Universitas, 2008.

- Bases conceptuales de una normativa que asegure la igualdad de derechos a las lesbianas, homosexuales, transexuales y transgéneros en Venezuela, en Universidad Javeriana, Revista Universitas, 2008.

- Estructuras de género patriarcales y hegemónicas como causa de negación de derechos fundamentales a comienzos del siglo XXI, (Especial énfasis en la situación de negación de derechos por razón de identidad o expresión de género y homosexoafectividad), CELARG, Caracas, 2008.

- Algunos criterios para la efectiva actuación legal y política tendiente al reconocimiento efectivo de los derechos de la sexodiversidad, Perú, Movihl, 2006.

- “El régimen legal venezolano de responsabilidad por el daño causado por productos y servicios defectuosos o peligrosos”, en Libro Homenaje al Dr. Leopoldo Borjas, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, en curso de publicación (2008).

- “Los principios de derecho europeo de la responsabilidad civil (Una primera aproximación crítica a algunos aspectos relevantes)”, en Libro Homenaje al Profesor Boris Bunimov, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, en curso de publicación (2008)

- “La transexualidad desde la perspectiva legal y de los derechos humanos”, Boletín de Derechos Humanos, N° 3, 1er semestre 2007, Centro de Estudios de Derechos Humanos, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, 2007, pp. 17-36.

- “La multiplicidad de regímenes jurídicos obligatorios y la causa subjetiva como uno de los criterios esenciales de determinación de la Ley aplicable a tales relaciones (Algunas bases para una teoría de os actos y hechos jurídicos subjetivos comerciales, de consumo, anticompetitivos y cooperativos)”, en, Derecho de las Obligaciones en el Nuevo Milenio, Academia de Ciencias Políticas y Sociales, Serie Eventos, Caracas, 2006, pp. 26-63.

South and Central Asia Region

Rachana Mudraboyina

Rachana Mudraboyina (She/They) is a Hyderabad-based Transgender rights activist. Rachana was the ex-chair of #SITAL(SaveIndianTransALLINDIALives) project for COVID19 help for transgender persons in India. She is director and on the Board of Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) focused on rights of LGBTQI folks. She is part of Trans INCLO (International Civil Liberties organisations attended three International conventions at Cape Town, South Africa, Buenos Aires, Argentina and Bogota, Columbia. She holds dual master’s in commerce and social work. She is engaged with UNAIDS India LGBTQI think tank. She was fellow member of International Visitors Leadership Program of US Embassy from 2016, visited 5 states in US on an exchange program.

Rachana is founder of You Tube channel Transvision driving Trans awareness in the main stream media. Her Transvision channel won the, Population Council’s ‘Ladlee’ award in ‘gender sensitivity’ category both at National & International level. She is also co-founder and involved with many organizations including NTP (National network for Transgender Persons), Telangana Hijra Intersex, Transgender Samiti, Telangana Queer Swabhimana Yatra, Telangana Women and Transgender Joint Action Committee and Trans March Collective. She is also board member of Anweshi Research centre for women studies, Bhumika Women’s Initiative Aman Vedika home for children, Liberty Rebellion and Hum Is Desh Wasi. She initiated the first Transgender person’s awards platform with the name Telangana Trans Swabhimana Awards for the eminent trans celebrities in the state of Telangana.

Rachana serves as an advisory council member to India’s largest sex worker networks: National Network of Sex Workers and All India Network of Sex workers, guiding with her lived experience as a sex worker. Rachana has been a mentor to many in the community in training in other livelihood skills, building small scale businesses and growing trans entrepreneurship as alternative livelihood option for those forced or needing off begging or sex work. She had been more instrumental in opening 33 transgender clinics across government hospitals of state of Telangana and also Transgender traffic volunteers working closely with the Telangana government

Doing advocacy with the policy makers and government agencies at all levels, Rachana is committed to uplifting of Trans Hijra communities of India.

Santa Khurai

Author of “The Yellow Sparrow” _(2023): Shortlisted in the Goenka Literary Award 2024 and Rainbow Literary Award 2024.

UC Berkeley, Decolonizing gender and sexuality, “Laws and Identity: A quest for citizenship from Manipur Indigenous Nupi Maanbi and Nupa Maanba” (2025)

ADVOCACY:

Pioneered the Seven Sisters Dance Group, composed of 7 Nupi Maanbi members, performing cultural, bollywood and western dances. Simultaneously, introduced the first Nupi Maanbi-owned beauty parlour to support livelihood opportunities, visibility and social mobility which has led to the contemporary success of Nupi Maanbi led beauty parlours in Manipur. (late 1990s)

Organized the first ever Miss Trans Queen Contest at North East Regional Level under AMANA’s banner and mobilized community action to resist transphobic attack and to advocate for transgender inclusive laws and policies (2010 - 2016)

A steering member at South Asia Human Rights Association for Gender and Sexual Minority (SAHRA) (2013-16)

The first legal justice through the Free Legal Aid Scheme was received by a trans person in Manipur. It was an outcome of the extensive advocacy efforts with the Manipur State Legal Services Authority (2013)

Extensive sensitization and awareness in collaboration with government Mental Health Expert and Mental Health Professional to make changes in psychiatry and clinical psychology curriculum to remove gender dysphoria from the mental disease category. The prolonged engagement helped change the attitude of the Psychiatrist and Psychologist and began to think beyond the medical curriculum and started providing counseling and certificates for Gender Affirmative Procedure (2015)

Advocate for trans inclusion in college admission and Manipur became the first state which provided reservation for transgender in college admission (2015)

Worked with the Manipur State Social Welfare Department to form the Manipur State Transgender Welfare Board, Manipur State (2016)

Leading a pilot project focused on promoting socio - economic inclusion for gender and sexual minorities in Manipur. The project was funded by the University of Sussex, London (2017)

Worked with the State Tourism Department to open separate toilets for transgender in Manipur Sangai Festival (2017). The festival is one of the most celebrated annual festivals of Manipur.

Raised questions on Government’s accountability in approaching transgender sensibilities https://www.imphaltimes.com/news/transgender-activist-reportedly-harassed-by-police-for-criti cizing-cm/ (2019)

Global Advisory Committee member, Equal Asia Foundation (2019 - 2022)

Approximately, 4000 transgender individuals across North East India have been assisted in accessing critical services including government issued trans ID and certificate, Gender Affirmative Surgery, housing and food security scheme, entrepreneurship opportunity, opening zero balance bank account, education support, and Free Legal Aid Services. (Since 2020 till date)

Worked with the Manipur State Commission for Women to establish a grievance cell to address issues faced by the transgender community (2021).

Filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Supreme Court of India under Article 32 of the Constitution challenging the constitutional validity of Clauses 12 and 51 of the Guidelines on Blood Donor Selection and Blood Donor Referral, 2017 issued by the National Transfusion Council and the National Aids Control Organization under the Ministry of Health and Welfare (2021)

Collaborated with the Manipur state government to establish a dedicated Transgender Quarantine Centre. The centre provided critical support to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic (2021).

Delivered statements and advocated for LGBTIQ+ rights representing 10 countries from Global South and East, on the rights of indigenous people, water and sanitation, conflict and food security at the United Nations in New York and Geneva ( 2022 - 2023)

Filed a Writ petition to prevent Manipur police from arresting a transgender advocate https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-prevents-manipur-police-from-arresting-transge nder-activist-over-fb-post-101697639232432.html (2023)

Global Activist Convening, Phuket, Thailand (2023)

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS:

Pheida - Gender At Periphery (2020) https://books.google.com/books?id=MQQIEAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

Gaining Full Citizenship of Manipuri Indigenous Nupi Maanbi and Nupa Maanba (2022) https://books.google.com/books/about/Gaining_Full_Citizenship_of_Manipuri_Ind.html?id=OJSd EAAAQBAJ

Neglected history of a dwindling identity, https://in.boell.org/en/2021/02/19/neglected-history-dwindling-identity

PUBLIC WRITING:

Varta Trust: https://vartagensex.org/author/santa-khurai/

Epao: Commercialization of Transgender event: Time to make a call

https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=news_section.opinions.Opinion_on_Racial_Discrimination.Commercialization_of_transgender_community_event_Time_to_make_a_call_By_Sant a_Khurai

Imphal Review : MANGBA

https://imphalreviews.in/mangba-in-women-did-get-attention-but-transmen-still-not-included-in-menstrual-hygiene-awareness-program/

Contributed poems “My Father” and “Nupi Maanbi Thabal” feature in HarperCollins'

groundbreaking queer anthology, "The World that Belongs to Us," the first of its kind in South Asia (2020)

Contributed a poem titled “Looming” _in the COVID-19 Assemblages Queer and Feminist Ethnographies from South Asia and published by Routledge (2022)

“Language Disparity, a threat to queer unification”, Sahitya Academy Indian Literature (2024)

Media and Creative Works :

Podcast: Life account of Manipuri indigenous transgender Shamans with Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

Community Blog, Rainbow Manipur: https://rainbowmanipur.wordpress.com/

The Unheard Voice (2013): A documentary film showcasing Nupa Amaibi, Lai Haraoba rituals and their lived experiences (Screened in various queer and trans film festival across India) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBfxBqqYEJw&t=37s

NAWA - Spirit of Atey: Sheds light on the untold story of 13-year-old Atey. The film explores the lived experiences of gender non-conforming children in Manipur highlighting the region's indigenous history of gender inclusivity and diversity. The movie was screened all over India and bagged the Best Non-Fiction Award in the North East Film Festival 2019.

CONFERENCES AND PUBLIC LECTURES:

Delivered statement at United Nations Human Rights Convention (2022 - 2023)

Served panel at Transform, Centre for Law, Policy and Research (2019 - 2023)

International Literature Festival, UNMESHA by Sahitya Akademi (2020 - 2024)

National Transgender Submit (2020 - 2021)

Writing introduction in the “Beyond Binary” by Tiruningai Press: A collection of queer poetry contributed by trans people from around the world. (2025)

Kerala Lit Fest (2025)

Kala Goda Lit Fest (2024)

Ziro Lit Fest (2025)

Brahmaputra Lit Fest (2025)

Queer Leadership Development Program (2024)

Participated WPS agenda by Australian Civil Society Coalition for Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) (2024)

Institute of Development Studies Kolkata (2022)

Apeejay Lit Fest, Kolkata (2023)

Reimagining our future by APTN, Nepal (2023)

4th Northeast India Indigenous Women Peace Congregation (2023)

10th Mersin Pride Week Event (2024)

Rainbows of Faith from around the globe (2024)

IIT Delhi (2024)

Dibrugarh Literary Festival (2024)

IIM Nagpur (2025)

PODCASTS (Selected):

Trans Rights Activism with Santa Khurai by Indian Organizing Podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/2spSD5xcieJH2i0zRn0oFI?si=ajR9thAbSCSXzZlBOJaNFg
Episode 23 with writer and gender rights activists Santa Khurai https://open.spotify.com/episode/0DgEDHip7P8UL1F6ssOaX9?si=XEVBMimTQO2Jykzroi_qJA
The forbidden prophecies with Heinrich Boll Stiftung https://in.boell.org/en/podcast-santa-khurai

Trans Community in Manipur, India with Bela Belissima, Queering the Perspective https://open.spotify.com/episode/0N5y4rQKy4L0W2nMOGKPjosi=I_qnxl1eQWCG2RY9M6X1Lw

Sanjha Fellowship by Goonj (2022)

Rainbow Advocacy Program (RAP), ( 2021 - 2022) by RFSL Sweden

Amplifying Trans Advocacy by Asia Pacific Trans Network (2020)

Leader Par Excellence by Alliance India: National Transgender Submit (2021)

Women of Substance Award 2018 by ETA North East Women Network

FELLOWSHIP/GRANTS (Selected):

Sanjha Fellowship by Goonj (2022)

Rainbow Advocacy Program (RAP), ( 2021 - 2022) by RFSL Sweden

Amplifying Trans Advocacy by Asia Pacific Trans Network (2020)

Leader Par Excellence by Alliance India: National Transgender Submit (2021)

Women of Substance Award 2018 by ETA North East Women Network