F.A.Q.

What is life like for someone who is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered in Tanzania?

Imagine trying to live a normal life while being constantly scorned, mocked, rejected, maligned, harassed, beaten, imprisoned, and possibly even killed, simply for being yourself. This is reality.

Fear causes many to hide their feelings and relationships, denying themselves the social support that could improve their health and quality of life. Others who do “come out of the closet” and openly admit their sexual orientation do so at great personal risk, knowing they could become victims of anti-LGBT violence at any time.

How does LGBT Voice help individuals who have been denied their rights?

  • We take legal action against those who’ve been the victims of injustice.
  • We find shelter for those who’ve been evicted from their homes because of their sexual orientation.
  • We enable students who’ve been expelled from school for discriminatory reasons arrange private classes and sit for their exams.
  • We arrange medical care at private clinics, at discounted rates, for those who’ve been refused treatment because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. One of our most exciting projects is creating the country’s first free LGBT-friendly health clinic in Dar es Salaam. You can donate here.
  • We pressure the police to drop false charges when they are filed for discriminatory reasons.

How does LGBT Voice help the larger society?

When one person commits a hateful act against another, both are harmed. When children are taught ignorance and hate, rather than knowledge and acceptance, our entire society is damaged.

Our aim is to educate our brothers and sisters to understand that we are just that — brothers and sisters, aunties and uncles, neighbors and friends, normal people like themselves. In 2010, we trained 30 local leaders in how to promote LGBT acceptance. With your support, we will expand this education to more Tanzanians through workshops, publications, and media.

Is there hope that Tanzania can change its treatment of LGBT?

We are very hopeful that Tanzania can change its treatment of LGBT people! The best way for this to happen is for us to influence the policy makers to repeal the penal code that criminalizes consensual homosexuality between adults and include LGBT rights in the new constitution that is currently being written.

Can you tell us the story of a person whose life has been improved by LGBT Voice’s actions?

We made it possible for 23 people who were refused medical treatment because of their sexual orientation to receive treatment at private clinics, at discounted rates. Without our help, these people would probably not have received medical care of any kind, and some of them might not be alive today.

Dealing with this frustrating injustice led us to the decision to create the country’s first free LGBT-friendly clinic in Dar es Salaam, where 500 people will receive care, counseling, and treatment who would not have received it before. We can’t do it alone, though. The dream depends on you. You can learn more about this project here.

About Donating To LGBT Voice Tanzania

We Are 100% Donor Funded

We rely on donations from individuals across the world who refuse to be silenced and who want to stand up for the truth. They are mainly lesbians, gays and bisexuals but we have many straight allies and we are particularly grateful for the support of transgender friends who know we wish them well.

Our team is largely volunteer led. We do of course hire the services of specialists such as lawyers, IT professionals and branding experts on an ad hoc basis. This has been the case since we were founded in October 2009. All the money we raise goes towards the cost of running the organization which involves fighting on many fronts simultaneously.

There are a few ways to donate to us:

1. Donate Through Omprakash

Omprakash Logo

Click here to donate to us through Omprakash.

Omprakash is a platform connecting donors to social change organizations. We are partnered with them to accept donations in our mission to build a strong, vibrant future for the LGBT+ community in Tanzania; We are happy to accept donations through Omprakash.

 

2. Donate Using GlobalGiving

 Global Giving Logo

Click here to donate to us using GlobalGiving.

You can donate to us online through the GlobalGiving website. GlobalGiving connects nonprofits, donors, and companies in nearly every country in the world. They help nonprofits access the funding, tools, training, and support they need to serve their communities. We thank you for your donations through GlobalGiving.

3. Donate By Physical Cheque In The Mail

If you are located in the USA or other countries, please contact us at info@lgbtvoicetz.org to arrange a donation by mail.

If you are in UK make it payable  to “LGBT Voice Tanzania”  and mail it to:

GlobalGiving UK
6 Great James Street
London WC1N 3DA

How Does LGBT Voice provide financial accountability?

We issue financial accountability reports for any funds received and spent to the specific donor on a quarterly basis and at the end of the project, according to the donor requirements. We contract external auditors to audit our financial statements every year. Because we depend greatly on volunteers, rather than paid staff, we are able to keep our operating costs very low. Feel free to ask us questions about how your donation will be used.

Is my donation tax-deductible in my country?

If you are located in the U.S., your donation is tax deductible. LGBT Voice Tanzania is Fiscally sponsored by US 501(c3) registered nonprofits, therefore check and online donations made to LGBT Voice Tanzania are tax-deductible in the U.S. LGBT Voice Tanzania also qualify for gift aid  in the U.K. For information about donating from other areas, please contact us at fundraising@lgbtvoicetz.org

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