South Africa

The Gay and Lesbian Network (GLN) is a registered non-profit organisation based in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal and been operational since 2003 and in this time has done pioneering work with primarily young, unemployed and marginalized lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people living in and around KwaZulu-Natal.

The Network started out in response to the need for LGBTI’s to have a safe place where they could meet and socialize, as no such spaces of facilities were available in Pietermaritzburg. From these beginnings it has developed into a fully functional NGO that offers a wide range of programmes and services to the LGBTI community. The organisation also works with the broader community to create a more enabling and welcoming environment, in which LGBTI’s can access services and be treated with respect and without discrimination or fear of violence.

GLN works with LGBTI individuals in promoting recognition of the LGBTI community through institutional change and partnerships in rural communities together with authorities and service providers. Our vision is to have a South Africa, in which LGBTI people are accepted, respected and treated as equal citizens.

How long has your Organisation been operational?

17 years

Is your Organisation a registered entity? If so, please list your registration details below for eg: NPO Number, PBO Number, NPC Number etc

NPO number: 026-854NPO
PBO number: 930006636

Do you have a Wish List? If so, please post it below:

Vehicle
Technology support (Updated hardware and software, including backing up support)
Marketing support (Printing of brochures and funding for dedicated marketing person to manage our website, social media, email marketing)
Equipment for our podcast team (recorders, headphones, programmes for editing, microphones, recording equipment, video camera, booth area for recording, interviewing and editing, data and sound system)
Photocopying paper
Data for staff working in the field

Where can we find your Organisation online? Please list links to your Website and Social Media Platforms here:

https://www.facebook.com/glnza/

https://twitter.com/glnkzn

https://www.instagram.com/gaylesbiankzn/

Which Cause achievement are you most proud of? Feel free to elaborate on why and include any links:

The podcast project the Queer Platform Reporters. We use the podcast as a medium to discuss pertinent issues faced by the LGBTI community in SA. The project uses podcasting to create awareness and information on LGBTI issues within the public and also flights these podcast productions with the community and national radio stations. These are just some of the podcasts produced by the reporters

https://soundcloud.com/user-735247907/show-the-lgbti-community-unreported-sexual-assaults
https://soundcloud.com/user-735247907/show-homophobia-experienced-by-the-lgtbt-community
https://soundcloud.com/user-735247907/lifeline-pmb-gbv-launch
https://soundcloud.com/user-735247907/khulumani-collective
https://soundcloud.com/user-735247907/2019-durban-pride-podcast
https://soundcloud.com/user-735247907/inanda-fm-gays-lesbians-network-05-november-2019
https://soundcloud.com/user-735247907/zodwa-wabantu-bashes-gay-man

We also established an LGBTI counselling service since 2007 and have accredited lay counsellors providing basic counselling support to LGBTI youth during weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm. The counselling provides much need support to LGBTI youth and assists in improving one’s self-esteem and wellbeing.

GLN has reached a milestone in our achievement to review our past and current work that enabled us to develop a new five-year strategy (2020-2024) with the aim of supporting LGBTI persons in rural KwaZulu-Natal and engaging with traditional leaders and rural communities. Please find more about our strategy https://gaylesbian.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/GLN-strategy-2020-2024-May-2019.pdf

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