Description
Hirondelle Club Bénin is the first LGBTQI+ and progressive organization in Benin to promote inclusion and social cohesion as essential levers for creating an environment favorable to marginalized groups, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex characteristics, skin color, or disability status. Created on March 9, 2013, following the murder of a young man by his own father due to his sexual orientation, the organization has made it its mission to actively and visibly fight against all forms of discrimination, exclusion, and injustice affecting LGBTQI+ people. Its action covers social, economic, civic, academic, cultural, racial, and sexual spheres, as well as any violation of fundamental human rights. Present in all twelve departments of Benin and boasting more than 5,000 members, Hirondelle Club Bénin has a shelter that welcomes, houses, and supports LGBTQI+ youth who are victims of violence based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, or who have been rejected by their families. It also has a parent-friendly association. The organization has also obtained several court rulings that have recognized and penalized acts of discrimination and violence committed against LGBTQI+ individuals. It is heavily involved in monitoring the implementation of recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and contributes actively to national, regional, and international human rights protection mechanisms. Hirondelle Club Bénin's mission is to inform, train, educate, support, and advocate to public decision-makers, national and international human rights institutions, civil society organizations, and technical and financial partners in order to promote better consideration of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics in public policies, projects, and development programs.
