July 26th, 2023
In this EDGEy Wednesday, we learned about trans masculine advocacy in Latin America and dug into the role of trans masculine communities in feminist movements for reproductive justice and bodily autonomy.
Donors addressed why they fund trans masculine groups based in Latin America. The Network of American Trans Men and People Assigned Female at Birth Collectives (REDCATH+) was used as as a case study.
This session mainly focused on:
- Introducing participants to Latin American trans masculine advocacy on behalf of feminist vision of bodily autonomy and self-determination and as a strategy to counter anti-gender and anti-rights movements
- Emphasizing the importance of resourcing an inclusive liberatory ecosystem by funding the work of trans masculine groups in Latin America
- Sharing tools, strategies, and best practices for funding trans masculine groups in Latin America
Facilitator: EDGE member Felix Endara, Senior Program Associate, Mesoamerica program, Foundation for a Just Society (NYC)
Speaker: EDGE member Lariza Fonseca, Program Officer, Latin American and the Caribbean, Astraea Foundation (Mexico)
Important to note: Latin America has variance by country in terms of trans civil rights, with nations like Argentina, Colombia, and Uruguay that have passed gender ID laws, while others where such a policy may exist in the books, but is not implemented.
If you would like to be part of these kinds of conversations and learn in community, become an EDGE member!
Notes from the conversation
- Founded in 2016, La Red de Colectivos Americanos de Hombres Trans y Personas Disidentes del Género Femenino Asignado al Nacer/Network of American Trans Men and People Assigned Female at Birth Collectives (REDCAHT+) serves as a coordinating body for transgender men’s and trans masculine grassroots organizations across Latin America. It currently consists of eleven transgender men’s and trans masculine grassroots organizations across eleven Latin American and Caribbean countries (including Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, and Uruguay). Their work focuses on pillars such as visibility, education, healthcare, reproductive justice, and autonomy for trans children and youth.
- REDCATH+ promotes skill and resource sharing and provides capacity building to its members: Guatemala member has offered a monthly in-person pop-up clinic to treat trans health check-ups, hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgeries, reproductive organ exams, cancer screenings, etc., and began offering similar support via telehealth to member groups in other countries
- They play a crucial role in feminist movements, expanding beyond traditional frameworks to champion bodily autonomy and self-determination.
- Trans masculine people are integral to the LGBTQI movement and advocate for reproductive rights and justice, acknowledging their unique reproductive needs and experiences.
- Trans masculine movements often try new structures that are not so top-down: governance via assembly with representation from every member group, term limits, and consensus decision-making.
- There is historical a gap in how trans masculine-led groups are resourced.
- Organizations and networks that are part of the Trans masculine movement mirror the ways in which women-led feminist groups support their communities: escorts to medical appointments including reproductive health screenings, facilitating scholarships to education, helping with workforce development to access employment, offering trainings to civil servants and especially to health care providers and accompaniment for psychological counseling. Also emergency support during the covid pandemic with food and protective gear like masks. And much of the work is volunteer-driven as these groups operate without any outside funding. Of course that they take on this massive work is a reflection of the lack of public services available to these communities.
- It is important, however, to remember that movements have different rhythms and are are different levels, and we cannot just think that the transmasculine movement is on the same level as the feminist movement which has a much longer history. Funders need to be okay to fund smaller organizations and invest in infrastructure.
- Lack of visibility for trans masculine advocacy, leading to less awareness among funders about their specific needs and contributions. Historically funding for LGBT movements and trans movements was designated for HIV and health care funneled through a gender-binary lens and aimed at “at-risk” populations that prioritized cis gay men and trans women. There has been a historical exclusion of trans men in clinical trials for HIV, for example, despite the fact that trans men have sex with cis men. Although funding to LGBT and trans communities is no longer simply earmarked for HIV, the DNA of the funding persists. And the vast majority still of funding for trans issues is focused on HIV/AIDS and is geared towards trans women.
- Data Gaps: Limited data and research on trans masculine communities may result in a lack of evidence-based proposals, making it harder for them to secure funding. Case in point: in 2022, LGBT think tank Sentiido was commissioned a report on the history of transfeminism in Latin America. The report while rich in detail barely documents the contributions and current state of trans masculine advocacy. REDCATH+ members produce their own data and publish reports
- Many lack experience in preparing application materials and have never drafted an organizational budget as they often work without funds or personally finance their organization’s work.
- Misperception that trans masculine groups are resourced because funders support “transgender” organizations – when “transgender” is used as umbrella but really means trans feminine
- Stereotypes about masculinity and misperception that trans masculine communities face fewer challenges around discrimination in education and employment; they are not exposed to prejudice or violence simply because they are “men” and have male privilege.
- Donors may have specific priorities that align more closely with trans women or other LGBQ communities, leading to differential funding allocations.
- What is not named does not exist. Make intentional changes to include underrepresented populations, mention that this open call is for trans men, women and non-binary trans people, include neutral and non-binary gender inclusive language on proposal forms, mention trans men and NB people in research, reports, communication strategies within your funds or foundations.
- Continue to resource services! Some foundations are really leaning away from funding service delivery. However, service delivery as an important part of being able to support organizing work. If communities don’t have their basic needs met, they are unable to actually organize together.
- More language accessibility! Many grassroots activists didn’t grow with access to English learning. Only 5% of people in Mexico speak English, probably most of them are in Roma, Condesa and Cancún.
- Track tracking funding data and disaggregate it, as many funders use broad terms like “transgender” when they actually mean trans feminine, leading to a lack of critical data to identify gaps. Let’s be specific when we say we fund “trangender communities.”
- Build relationships that are not founded on extractive or transactional interactions. Embrace good practices for trans-inclusion. One easy thing to do is when you introduce yourself, say your name, your pronouns in all meetings, even if you already know the person, this is sending a message that you are safe for trans folks. Use gender neutral language when you speak.
- Prioritize funding local groups with specialized knowledge and direct community connections to ensure social impact analysis centers leadership and lived experiences of those closest to the issues, rather than relying solely on external consultants and sources of expertise.
- Partner with intermediaries who have local knowledge and close relationships and the administrative infrastructure to support this type of grantmaking
- Offer flexible, significant, multiyear, and long-term support, as well as simplified application processes, while also being open to funding opportunities that arise in response to emergencies.
- Reduce reliance on project-specific funding with allotments, which often involve unnecessary paperwork and an overemphasis on short-term, donor-centric metrics for evaluating success.
- Support local unconventional community activists, embracing new and less conventional formations and structures, such as horizontal leadership, and be open to innovative ideas like artivism and the recovery of ancestral healing practices, rather than solely focusing on “privileged” groups.
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