{"id":26295,"date":"2024-12-10T06:53:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T06:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/?post_type=story&#038;p=26295"},"modified":"2025-08-04T10:11:41","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T10:11:41","slug":"tsano-defending-intersex-transgender-rights-zimbabwe","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/stories\/tsano-defending-intersex-transgender-rights-zimbabwe\/","title":{"rendered":"Tsano"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"o-block-row o-wrapper u-padding-vertical-large o-content split_content alignfull\" id=\"split-content-block_0ebd548b3ade8048e5b258b245b4ff07\">\n\n  <div class=\"o-layout \">\n\n\n    \n      <div class=\"o-layout__item o-content u-1\/1 u-2\/3@tablet\">\n        \n        <div >\n          <p>10-12-2024<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\" role=\"text\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">Tsano is an HIV\/AIDS activist and transgender and intersex rights defender from Zimbabwe. As the director of Trans Smart Trust, an organization dedicated to the support of transgender and intersex people in Zimbabwe, Tsano creates safe spaces for transgender and intersex people to access shelter, information, and resources to support them.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Shaping an inclusive and accessible world<\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\" role=\"text\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">They focus on educating the general public as well as local communities, churches, and traditional chiefs on gender identity and expression. They work to gain easier and safer access to medical care for transgender and intersex people, especially those who are HIV positive. As someone who has been living with HIV for the past 22 years, they are a fierce advocate for accessible healthcare. They also emphasize the mental wellbeing of transgender and intersex people, using community-based activities, such as gardening or textiles and crafts as therapy. Additionally, Tsano is determined that transgender and intersex youth are able to access secondary education and raises money to send them to school every year.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Tsano delves more into their cause in a documentary by Shelter City Utrecht partner, PBI Nederland, and gives insights into the life as a defender of <span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\" role=\"text\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">transgender and intersex individuals, as well as people who live with HIV.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"o-video-container\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tsano: Defending intersex and transgender rights | PBI Nederland, Shelter City Utrecht\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CWUJAgjIyew?start=29&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><strong>We thank Tsano for being a resilient figure in intersex and transgender rights advocacy and for their impactful work towards a society that does not exclude anyone.<\/strong><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n      <\/div>\n\n    \n    \n      <div class=\"o-layout__item o-content u-1\/1 u-1\/3@tablet\">\n\n        <div class=\"o-callout o-callout--padded u-text-small u-fill-gray\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-26300 size-thumb-750\" src=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_5573-750x585.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"585\" \/>\n<p>In late 2024, Tsano was a guest at Shelter City Utrecht. During their stay in the Netherlands, Tsano expanded their network with international organizations to gain valuable insight and connections in order to support their own work. They also built a community of friendly faces, joining local events, and got to know the city.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n      <\/div>\n\n    \n  <\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"o-wrapper u-padding-top content alignwide alignfull\" id=\"content-block_cc270433043e9d7c3b296282a8cf9347\">\n  <div class=\"o-layout\">\n    <div class=\"o-layout__item o-content u-1\/1 u-2\/3@tablet\">\n\n      <div  class=\"o-callout o-callout--padded u-text-small u-fill-grey\" >\n        \n        <h3>We need your support<\/h3>\n<p>Thanks to supporters like you, defenders like Tsano, Iv\u00e1n, Nataliia, and Caroline have had access to a supportive and inspiring space in Shelter City Netherlands to re-energize, receive security training, and build an international network of solidarity.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Your donation enables us to provide more support to LGBTQAI+ defenders at risk. Thank you for your trust!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n                  <div class=\"u-padding-vertical\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/donate\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"c-btn c-btn--primary\"> Donate to Justice &#038; Peace <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n        \n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"o-wrapper u-padding-vertical link alignwide alignfull\" id=\"link-block_53054ea2cb8f428f2514584e5f1f6239\">\n  \n      <h3 class=\"e-h1 u-margin-bottom\">Find more stories about LGBTQIA+ rights defenders<\/h3>\n  \n  \n    <div class=\"c-post-grid o-layout o-layout--stretch\">\n\n    \n      <div class=\"c-post-grid__entry o-layout__item u-1\/1 u-1\/4@tablet\">\n\n        \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/stories\/nataliia-a-journalist-in-service-of-human-rights\/\" target=\"\" class=\"o-block u-link u-link--block\">\n\n  <div class=\"o-block__img o-ratio o-ratio--4:3 o-media o-media--cover\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" \n      data-      src=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/7M308818-scaled.jpg\" class=\"u-link--block__image o-ratio__content o-media__img\"\n    >\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"o-block__body\">\n    <h4 class=\"o-block__title\">Nataliia, a journalist in service of human rights in Russia<\/h4>\n    <p>Dedicated to documenting and improving the situation for the LGBTQ+ community, migrants, and people living with HIV, Nataliia is faced with a complex reality. In this interview, she recounts her experiences and mission towards equality.<\/p>  <\/div>\n\n  <div>\n          <button href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/stories\/nataliia-a-journalist-in-service-of-human-rights\/\" target=\"\" class=\"o-block__button\">Find Nataliia&#039;s story<\/button>\n      <\/div>\n<\/a>\n      <\/div>\n\n    \n      <div class=\"c-post-grid__entry o-layout__item u-1\/1 u-1\/4@tablet\">\n\n        \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/stories\/caroline-lgbtqai-defender-kenya\/\" target=\"\" class=\"o-block u-link u-link--block\">\n\n  <div class=\"o-block__img o-ratio o-ratio--4:3 o-media o-media--cover\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" \n      data-      src=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Oct-2021_Caroline_SC-Utrecht.png\" class=\"u-link--block__image o-ratio__content o-media__img\"\n    >\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"o-block__body\">\n    <h4 class=\"o-block__title\">Caroline, leading an intersectional feminist movement in Kenya<\/h4>\n    <p>A video interview on the journey of being a queer person and advocating inclusive healthcare, policies, and narratives surrounding LGBTQAI+ identities. Caroline defies societal limitations and contributes to a more just world.<\/p>  <\/div>\n\n  <div>\n          <button href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/stories\/caroline-lgbtqai-defender-kenya\/\" target=\"\" class=\"o-block__button\">Watch Caroline&#039;s documentary<\/button>\n      <\/div>\n<\/a>\n      <\/div>\n\n    \n      <div class=\"c-post-grid__entry o-layout__item u-1\/1 u-1\/4@tablet\">\n\n        \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/stories\/ivan-lgbtqia-rights-panama\/\" target=\"\" class=\"o-block u-link u-link--block\">\n\n  <div class=\"o-block__img o-ratio o-ratio--4:3 o-media o-media--cover\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" \n      data-      src=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_2814-scaled-e1706694186585.jpg\" class=\"u-link--block__image o-ratio__content o-media__img\"\n    >\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"o-block__body\">\n    <h4 class=\"o-block__title\">Iv\u00e1n, striving for LGBTQIA+ freedom, inclusion, and equality in Panama<\/h4>\n    <p>A lawyer, diplomat, and human rights defender; Ivan had a catalytic role in the conceptualization, negotiation, and securing of significant agreements and protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals. This is his personal account on his impactful journey.<\/p>  <\/div>\n\n  <div>\n          <button href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/stories\/ivan-lgbtqia-rights-panama\/\" target=\"\" class=\"o-block__button\">Read Iv\u00e1n&#039;s blog story<\/button>\n      <\/div>\n<\/a>\n      <\/div>\n\n    \n      <div class=\"c-post-grid__entry o-layout__item u-1\/1 u-1\/4@tablet\">\n\n        \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/leaving-no-one-behind-defending-lgbtqia-rights-in-the-contemporary-context\/\" target=\"\" class=\"o-block u-link u-link--block\">\n\n  <div class=\"o-block__img o-ratio o-ratio--4:3 o-media o-media--cover\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" \n      data-      src=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_1453-scaled.jpg\" class=\"u-link--block__image o-ratio__content o-media__img\"\n    >\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"o-block__body\">\n    <h4 class=\"o-block__title\">Leaving no one behind: Defending LGBTQIA+ rights in the contemporary context<\/h4>\n    <p>Lasting change comes through sustained, community-driven efforts. In light of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, we share with you inspiring stories of hope for change and an invitation to make dignity and safety a shared reality for everyone.<\/p>  <\/div>\n\n  <div>\n          <button href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/leaving-no-one-behind-defending-lgbtqia-rights-in-the-contemporary-context\/\" target=\"\" class=\"o-block__button\">Read the article<\/button>\n      <\/div>\n<\/a>\n      <\/div>\n\n    \n    <\/div>\n\n  \n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>creating safe spaces for intersex and transgender persons in Zimbabwe<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"story_category":[],"class_list":["post-26295","story","type-story","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Tsano, creating safe spaces for intersex and transgender persons in Zimbabwe - Blogs Justice &amp; 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