INTRO

QELEMAT's Mission

Empowering Ethiopia's & Eritrea's LGBTQIA+ youth, we provide a platform for open dialogue, understanding, and collaboration. Our mission is to foster positive relationships, offer opportunities, and deliver unwavering support for young LGBTQIA+ Ethiopians & Eritreans.

Our mission extends beyond discussions; we actively work towards positive outcomes for LGBTQIA+ youth. This involves providing educational resources, advocating for HIV/STI care materials, and offering counseling support to address the holistic needs of our community.

Daniella Desalegn - Co-Founder & Public Relations
Qelemat's founder and Director

Our Story

We are resilient LGBTQ Ethiopians and Eritreans who, for years, have worked independently to provide emotional, financial, and health support to our younger LGBTQ siblings. However, after years of individual efforts, we recognized the strength in unity and embarked on a journey to fight for justice and equality.

We chose the name "Qelemat," meaning "Colours" in Geez (Ancient Ethiopian & Eritrean Language) symbolizing the diverse identity within our organization. Its founders comprises a transgender woman, a gay man, a lesbian, and a bisexual man. Leading our organization is Ethiopia's first openly transgender woman, Daniella Desalegn (DD).

Vision

We envision a future where social justice is achieved for young people of any gender and sexuality. Our ultimate goal is a day when gender and sexuality are not barriers to the health and wellness of young people of Ethiopia and Eritrea, and HIV is neither stigmatized nor a threat.

Policy

It's our strong belief that positive change within Ethiopian society can only come from promoting constructive dialogue, raising awareness, and adopting a non-confrontational approach. Recognizing the religious and conservative norms, our goal is to act as a bridge between the LGBTQ and straight communities.

Through education, engagement with religious and community leaders, and the creation of safe spaces, we aim to encourage a society that embraces diversity, allowing everyone to live and let live harmoniously.

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Qelemat’s activities
are organized on the following three pillars

one youth africa

Promoting Dialogue

Our organization encourages the Ethiopian/Eritrean LGBTQ community to engage in meaningful conversations that empower them to share their experiences, concerns, and aspirations freely. By creating safe spaces for dialogue, we aim to break down societal stigmas and challenge discriminatory attitudes. Through open discussions, we hope to inspire a sense of community and solidarity, facilitating mutual understanding and acceptance.

  • Educational Resources
  • Advocacy
Qelemat

Strong Community

We believe in community, and our efforts are directed towards fostering connections that empower individuals to grow collectively. We provide platforms to connect, form friendships, and build networks of support. These spaces serve as avenues for shared experiences, enabling individuals to find common ground and strength in unity. By nurturing a sense of belonging, we aim to counteract feelings of isolation that may arise due to societal discrimination.

  • Mentoring
  • Support Network
Qelemat

Health & Well-Being

We provide a range of online educational resources designed to inform and empower the LGBTQ community on critical aspects of their health, including sexual health, HIV/STI awareness, and mental well-being. Our visually engaging materials serve as accessible guides, ensuring that individuals have the information they need to make informed decisions about their sexual, mental and physical well-being.

  • Sexual Health Education
  • Mental Well-being

Message from community members & allies

Our service users are also our partners and we can not imagine a better future for our organisation without their participation in our programes

Q
What you are doing is amazing, bringing the community together. Well done!
Yab: Participant - Ethiopia
Qelemat
We've traditionally focused on external factors when it comes to our rights, yet engaging in discussions and fostering dialogue among ourselves is crucial
ST: Community member - Ethiopia
Qelemat
I am an ally, But I firmly believe that only the tireless efforts of the LGBT community are the driving force behind positive change.
Amele: Ally - USA
Qelemat
I appreciate the support system you've created for me. Exploring sexuality as a young person in Ethiopia can be challenging.
BA: Service User - Ethiopia
Qelemat
I was looking forward to a day when LGBTQ individuals in our country could form a strong community. You are paving the way for that to happen
HA: Community Member - UK
Qelemat
I appreciate your educational materials focused on health, sexuality, and identity. Keep up the good work!
LM: Participant- Germany

Our Trustee and Directors Board

We're only as strong and as knowledgeable as our team. So here are the men, women & in between which help meet our goals and grow service delivery

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Daniella Desalegn(She/Her)

Co-Founder & Public Relations

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Naod Hon. (He/Him)

Member & Tigrniya language Editor

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Michael Habesha (He/Him)

Co-Founder & Programme Coordinator

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Daniel D (They/Them)

Digital Media and Communication

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ABOUT

We are Passionate About Empowering the Young

Our goal is to facilitate the positive development of services targeted at the young LGBTQ community in Ethiopia and Eritrea. We aim to strengthen partnerships with sister organizations, volunteers, and institutions to bolster community support.

  • Our youth projects are sustainable and result focused
  • Our partnership strategy assures the best positive outcome
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CONTACT

Get In Touch Using The Form

Would you like to join our team, seek support, volunteer with us, or explore a partnership? Simply use the contact form below for any questions and inquiries.

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