People the Fund has helped

Stories from successful applicants to the Rapid Response Fund.

© Jason Florio for Frontline AIDS
Home The Rapid Response Fund People the Fund has helped

In many countries, marginalised communities – including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, sex workers, people living with HIV and people who use drugs – struggle to access HIV services because of stigma and discrimination – often leading to threats and violence.

Our Rapid Response Fund provides grants to civil society organisations to support marginalised communities whose situations are making it difficult for them to access HIV services.

These are stories from successful applicants to the Fund.

Apply for funding from the Rapid Response Fund

Stories from successful applicants

How to bust stigma during a pandemic

In Zambia, DZL has witnessed an increase in stigma and discrimination during...

Young, gay and subjected to torture in Cameroon

Imagine being subjected to a forced anal examination against your will. You are...

What is it like living with HIV during a pandemic?

When the pandemic hit last year, many people lost their jobs overnight and had...

Eswatini: ‘Is it a crime to love someone?’

In Eswatini, nowhere does the lack of respect shown to people because of their...

Male sex workers and the fight for their lives in Malawi

Men who have sex with men and who are also sex workers face a double stigma....

When the law is an ass: challenging the state apparatus in Nigeria

When Victor* was convicted for the “crime” of consensual sex with another...

Rachelle and Bea: Young, gifted and trans

Rejected by their families, Rachelle and Bea face many challenges as young...

New pandemic, same blame game

Rights-based organisations in Africa are reporting that stigma against lesbian,...

“It’s called ‘human’ rights, not ‘straight’ rights”

Kaluso, a transgender woman from Malawi, speaks out about the need for zero...

A blossom pink world: Transgender activists in video

Guyana Trans United’s ground-breaking campaign to repeal British colonial...

Sanctuary at last for abused gay father and young son

In Uganda, if you have children or not, being gay can get you killed....

Alliance salutes landmark LGBT rights case against Trinidad & Tobago

LGBT activist wins a legal case against the government of Trinidad &...

Gay refugees in Malawi face violence and hunger

One evening Didier closed up his shop for the day and went to meet friends,...

Nomsa’s story: my long road to ‘coming out’ and freedom

I never knew about my sexuality, even though growing up my heart’s desire was...

Jamaican, transgender Gulley Queen survivor speaks out

As a young transgender woman, SashaBerry had a highly increased risk of...

Video story on LGBT human rights: Life after Nonkie

In April 2017, Nthabiseng Mokanyane’s close childhood friend Nonkie Smous was...

How I survived as a transgender woman from Nigeria

My name is Jessica Albert. I wasn't born with that name, but that is what I am...

Tinashe’s story: hope after persecution for being gay

At the age of 14 Tinashe told his grandmother that he was gay and was kicked...

Prosecute or protect? The law and policing of gay people in Malawi

Superintendent Horace Chabuka, Blantyre’s community policing coordinator,...

Tauria’s story: from shame to strength

From childhood, Tauria Tauach Rijal from Mozambique faced hostility and social...

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