Robert Carr Fund/2019-2021 Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM)

Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM)

The Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM) Transformation Network is a regional network in Africa focused on transformation of religious communities to be more Inclusive and affirming of LGBTI people and people living with HIV (PLHIV).  

 

Grantee type:
Regional
Grant:
$450,000
Grant period:
2019-2021

 

As of 2019, the IAM network included organizations and advocates from ten African countries – Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

  • Around the world today, over 9 million of the nearly 37 million people living with HIV don’t know that they carry the virus, and an additional 5 to 6 million HIV-positive people are not accessing HIV treatment.
  • Stigma and discrimination are important reasons why people are not accessing HIV testing and treatment. Stigma against HIV, and against many of the populations at greatest risk for HIV, creates discriminatory policies and actions in health care settings, potential for in employment and education, and potential for social exclusion and violence in people’s families and communities.
  • Gender inequality is another related factor in the lack of HIV testing and treatment. In communities where women and girls are economically dependent on men and exposed to sexual and gender-based violence, they may be hesitant in negotiating safer sex or in seeking testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
  • Religious leaders can be important champions for human rights and agents of change when they themselves are openly LGBTI or HIV+, and when they speak out about the dignity and worth of all people, and importance of care and love for all.
  • The IAM Transformation Network has found that faith leaders can be important educators and advocates for human rights, non-discrimination, and services for people living with HIV and people who are lesbian, gay or transgender, but those leaders need to develop their personal capacity to lead dialogue about sexuality, sexual orientation and gender identity. This means a personal journey of not only understanding the issues but integrating this understanding into personal spirituality.

 

RCF funding 2019-2021

The Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM) Transformation Network received US$ 450,000 in funding from the Robert Carr Fund for work during 2019-2021. This funding is allocated to both core and strategic program costs, investing in the organizational capacity and collective work of IAM and its partners in nine African countries. This builds on steady RCF funding during previous years.

 

Geographic coverage

The IAM network include organizations and advocates from nine Eastern and Southern African countries – Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – with plans to include new partners in Nigeria and Ghana.

 

Population coverage

IAM is a network focused on transformation of religious communities to be more Inclusive and affirming of LGBTI people and people living with HIV (PLHIV), and so supports the empowerment, leadership, health and rights of people who are lesbian, gay and transgender and people who are living with HIV.

 

Activities 2019-2021

  • With RCF funding in 2016-2018, the IAM network secretariat deployed its staff, predominantly black and female and led by Reverend Ecclesia de Lange, to support country partners in nine African countries to develop their personal capacity to lead dialogue about spirituality, sexuality, sexual orientation and gender identity, and to initiate and engage in dialogues with faith communities about sexuality, gender identity, the importance of human rights, non-discrimination, and health services for LGBTI people, people living with HIV and other inadequately served populations (ISPs).
  • In July 2019, IAM convened the first gathering of all regional partners in nearly five years. Over 40 participants representing 10 countries and 15 organizations came together in Johannesburg, South Africa for three days of intense reflection and planning. One key outcome of the conference was a renewed commitment by the network to work with Christian schools in multiple African countries to make school environments inclusive and safe for all, embrace diversity, expand comprehensive sexuality education, and link students with sexual health services.
  • During the remainder of the RCF 2019-2021 grant period, IAM will continue to support every IAM partner organization in governance, management, program strategy, and monitoring, evaluation and learning; engage over 1500 clergy in workshops, trainings, and other dialogue and thousands more through media and distribution of resources; and encourage international exchange and collaboration across all of the nine countries where IAM works.

 

Intended results 2019-2021

The intended results from this work during 2019-2021 will focus on network strength and influence, and specifically the sustaining and strengthening of a regional African network to transform religious communities to be more Inclusive and affirming of LGBTI people and people living with HIV (PLHIV).