Project Transcend

6 Non-Binary and Transgender Trailblazers from Southern Africa: Across Southern Africa, transgender trailblazers are stepping into leadership, visibility, and advocacy. Here are six you need to know!

My Journey to Finding My Transgender Me: Mandy Jovial Swali, a transgender refugee from Uganda living in South Africa, shares her harrowing journey to becoming her authentic self.

Trans Mental Health: My Journey to Turn Trauma into Purpose: Trans mental health is rarely talked about. In this personal essay, Namibian activist Ziggy Porsche #Eixas shares their mental health journey.

Fighting for God: The Church’s War on Trans People in Botswana: Phio Kenosi reflects on his journey with faith as a trans individual and the deep trauma inflicted by the church in Botswana.

Cassandra Roxburgh: Finding Trans Hope When the World Feels Like It’s Burning: Amid the rising vilification of trans individuals and identities, Cassandra Roxburgh reflects on holding onto hope in uncertain and times.

Seen but Not Safe: The Double-Edged Sword of Trans Visibility in Namibia: We're often told that visibility is essential for change. But for the trans community, visibility often leads to heightened vulnerability.

A Battle for Dignity: My Journey to Access Gender-Affirming Care in Botswana: Phio Kenosi’s story exposes the reality of accessing gender-affirming care in Botswana, battling both bureaucracy and discrimination.

Faith and Inclusion: The Priest Championing LGBTQIA+ Rights in Malawi: Father Martin Kalimbe from Blantyre is a bold and unwavering advocate for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in Malawi’s religious landscape.

Trump’s Foreign Aid Freeze Leaves South Africa’s Trans Community in Crisis: Trump’s foreign aid freeze leaves South Africa’s trans community without access to lifesaving healthcare, leaving thousands in crisis.

Small Town to Big City: A Transgender Woman’s Story of Perseverance in Zimbabwe: Leese, a transgender woman, left home following her dreams—but had to survive rejection and violence before building a thriving career.

New French Guidelines Support Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth: New French medical guidelines back the importance of gender-affirming care for trans youth, including the use of puberty blockers.

A Stage for Change: Drag Night Namibia’s Deyonce is Redefining Trans Visibility: Drag Night Namibia has introduced its first transgender performer, who proudly celebrates her African heritage, diversity, and advocacy.

Pulling Back the Veil on the Anti-Gender Movement in South Africa: The anti-gender movement seeks to roll back progress in gender and LGBTQ+ rights. Here are two key players in South Africa and their tactics.

Trans Man & Passionate Refugee Advocate: The Story of Thomars Shamuyarira: Thomars Shamuyarira, a proudly out trans man from Zimbabwe, is a dedicated and passionate advocate for LGBTQI+ refugees in South Africa.

South Africa and the Transgender Bathroom Debate: A Media-Manufactured Crisis?: The disproportionate and sensationalised focus on transgender bathroom access reveals a deeper societal discomfort with transgender identity.

Chrystal and Electra’s Journey of Resilience and Hope: Being a transgender woman in Malawi presents a unique set of challenges, including legal discrimination, social stigma and family rejection.

Thelma’s Triumph – A Trans Woman’s Path to Recovery: Despite the challenges faced by trans women in Zimbabwe, and a struggle with addiction, Thelma has found community and purpose through sport.

Trans Women in Zimbabwe Defying Economic Exclusion: While trans women in Zimbabwe face discrimination in many areas of life, Haylie and Queen have found economic empowerment on their own terms.

Redefining Home and Belonging As a Non-Binary Person in Malawi: Living in Malawi as a non-binary person can often be challenging, with constant reminders of not fitting into society's binary expectations.

Trans Health Groups Challenge “Harmful” Cass Review: Leading trans health groups say that the controversial Cass Review, championed by JK Rowling, is selective, inconsistent and harmful.