Securing Big Changes Across Latin America
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| Convening Reporter Bethsabé Huamán, Instituto Runa, Peru; Convening Consultant Nadia Bazán, Colombia; Isabel Spencer, Las Tres Gatas, Dominican Republic. Photo by Mirla Hernández |
In a region where Catholicism and growing Christian Evangelicalism hold powerful sway over state and social affairs, LGBTI activists in Latin America have made incredible progress. Hard-won legal protections are now on the books in many countries, but much remains to be done to firmly establish the region as a safe place for women and LGBTI people. Astraea’s commitment to breaking down walls and creating a global movement for social change pushes us to go beyond grantmaking alone and forge new collaborative models and transnational networks. To that end, Astraea has joined the historic Consortium of Latin American Women’s Funds’ lesbian, bisexual and transgender project as a guest fund based in the North. It is an effort to pool resources in a region-wide force for social and political transformation.
The project connects more than 60 organizations in 17 countries from México to Argentina. Across Latin America, the funds are in constant contact, distributing grants and gathering grantees in regional meetings. In early 2009, Astraea convened 26 lesbian and trans activists in Lima, Perú. Astraea program staff worked closely with a Perú-based grantee partner (Instituto Runa) and a local consultant in an exhaustive effort to tailor the convening to grantee needs and vision.
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| Thalia Almendares, Transsa, Domincan Republic; Convening Moderator Belissa Andía Pérez, Instituto Runa, Peru; Danna Galán, Familia Galán, Bolivia; Cristian King, Transsa |
In a modest retreat center owned by a local teachers union, the activists worked for five days and five nights. They gained skills and formed alliances across Ecuador, Bolivia, the Dominican Republic and Perú, countries where Astraea’s project grants are focused. Both laughter and tears welled up as the activists broke through the isolation often faced by those who, in any society, go against the grain.
Las Tres Gatas, which Astraea encouraged to apply for funding, does just that. Las Tres Gatas is collaborating with women’s organizations to bring positive change to their nation’s constitution and is holding weekly film screenings for visibility. In the Dominican Republic, except for limited lesbian organizing in the ’80s and ’90s and HIV prevention programs, most LGBTI people have traditionally been underground. Thus, Las Tres Gatas’ work is outspoken but lonely. Member Mirla Hernández said of the convening, “One of the things that has impacted me most about being here is that I’m starting to regain hope.”
The convening gave the multigenerational group an opportunity to work with each other not only across national borders but within them. Joining activists who sometimes came from the same cities but hadn’t worked together before meant difficult conversations and newfound trust. They shared the sociopolitical context of their countries and outcomes of coalition work with other social movements, and delved into trainings on organizational development, fundraising and media. The convening was enriched by film screenings, performances and visits to local social justice groups and a human rights monument.
“It’s been a space with so much richness; it’s been very refreshing. We had the opportunity to meet and to be in a place of differences and connections with other organizations. It’s been so important to share in this process,” said Danna Galán of Bolivia’s Centro de Acción Investigación Trans Familia Galán.
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| The Lima Convening Grantee Partners and Staff |
Participants honed their political thinking, gained skills and were reinvigorated to return to work with new purpose. In each country, they aim to make deep changes in society—from founding a lesbian-feminist community school and national trans cultural center to ending hate crimes and stopping the forced hospitalization of young lesbians. As agents of change, they are moving people to become well informed and politically engaged to work for peace, secularity and equality.
The Lima convening is a milestone in an ongoing Latin American partnership. At this crucial point, where LBT organizers are holding the line on legislative gains and working for lasting cultural change, the collaboration has increased resources where some funders have pulled out, thinking the work is done. For Astraea and the Consortium, it is time to engage more intensely in a long-term vision for change in Latin America and around the world.
