Last year, we spoke to you about launching our GIN Speakers Bureau. The pilot training of the Speakers’ Bureau took place at GIN’s Secretariat, in Johannesburg, South Africa, between the 9^th – 12^thAugust 2018. Nine participants were selected from more than 70 applicants across sub-Saharan Africa. There were participants from Southern, Eastern and West Africa, and from Christianity, Islam and African Traditional religion.

One of them, Ishmael Bahati, was selected to prepare a statement for the 40th session (February-March 2019) of the Human Rights Council, during the Interactive Dialogue of the Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights. For the first time ever, GIN worked alongside another organisation, Franciscans International, to deliver the statement written by Ishmael Sbulele Bahati, at the Human Rights Council, member of the GIN Speaker Bureau and PEMA Kenya Director, to call on the UN to ensure the respect of the principle of non-discrimination and equality in law and in practice, including LGBTI people of faith.

The speech, delivered by Franciscans International representative, Alberto Quero, can be viewed in the following link below (at 02:42:27).

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The Family & Traditional Values Seminar series

The Religious Dialogue Partners’ process

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Don't just take our word for it

I often say that one of the most cruel narratives against LGTBI+ persons, which leads to greatly damaging violence and discrimination, is that they don't have th e capacity for spirituality, or a call for it. The fundamental importance of the work of GIN-SSOGIE is that it creates and nurtures evidence to counter that narrative, and to reclaim spirituality and religion as spaces where LGBTI+ persons have choice to belong. Within the United Nations, this work is currently vital, as there are strategies at play that claim that there are fundamental contradictions between the right to freedom of religion and belief and the right to live free from violence and discrimination based on SOGI. The strategy relies on a "zero-sum" mentality in which the furtherance of one set of rights necessitates the regression of the others. This has been disproven by analysis and evidence amassed and presented persuasively by civil society, very importantly among them, GIN-SSOGIE.

Victor Madrigal-BorlozCEUN Independent Expert on SOGIO

It really is the visibilisation of the discussions around faith and SOGIESC issues. I mean, they’ve made it possible to have these conversations, they’ve made it possible for states to have these conversations, for civil society to come together and think about faith based inclusion. You know, they’ve encouraged other religious actors that are not SOGIESC specific, like let’s say the act Church of Sweden or the ACT Alliance, to think more strategically about inclusion of LGBTI issues. And I think those are really profound and important impacts.

Anonymous feedback from the review of the advocacy programme

The [Family and Traditional Values] report and the declarations from the seminars are important testimonies to the existence of a rich diversity of family experiences today and historically and also that diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions are present in cultures around the world. To respect and protect all human being’s individual rights means that no religious nor traditional or national values can be used as a basis to violate the human rights of any individual. …

governments, as we are, together with civil society organizations can use this report to promote better understanding and respect for the rights of sexual and gender minorities including to counter the politicization of traditional family values.

Ms Harriet Berg Director for Human Rights, Democracy and Gender Equality at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

"When spider webs unite they can tie down a lion”

This African proverb speaks to the power of unity among those who share a common vision. Each one on their own can spin a web through their efforts but there is much more strength and power in unity. The Global Interfaith Network is a justice seeking community of all persons of different sexualities in a common struggle for the dignity and equality of all persons irrespective of their sexualities. Issues of sexualities are highly contested and contentious in society and particularly among faith groups. The resistance to dignity and equality of people of different sexualities is no longer at the level of opinion or faith statement but has been taken to international, continental and country levels. Thus the struggle for equality and dignity of all persons that is at the heart of all faiths is being taken up by GIN in pursuit of justice that is inclusive of diversity and all persons. The work of GIN is ultimately to give expression to the highest ideals both all faiths and human rights for all and to create a better world where all are free to be who they are without discrimination or violence.

Dr Nontando HadebeSide by Side Gender Justice

About GIN

GIN is an international membership-led non-profit organisation that promotes safety and inclusion for all people of faith and spirituality, especially for people that often are discriminated against on the basis of their sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression. GIN advocates for safe spaces, policy inclusion and for the support and acceptance of all sexual and gender minorities for whom their faith is an important life-giving source.

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www.gin-ssogie.org / info@gin-ssogie.org

Corner Rabie Rd and Fourth Ave North, Fontainebleau, Randburg, South Africa, 2032

Tel: +27115687172