Jamaica

2023 - 2025

This project aims to harmonize LGBTI activism with the fundamentals of religion, acceptance and compassion in Jamaica.

The goal of this project is to change the hearts and minds of families and faith communities in Jamaica so that they can become more inclusive and embrace LGBTI people of faith in order to improve their lives, allow them to express themselves completely and be an integral part of their families and faith communities. It seeks to improve the lives of LGBTI people of faith in Jamaica, by changing social norms or community acceptance on LGBTI issues and by reducing discrimination and violence. Homophobia and transphobia have impacted every institution of society throughout history, and while we recognise that religion has contributed significantly to this, we aim to shift religious narratives through dialogue with LGBTI people of faith to focus on the fact that the central value for all of the major world religions is compassion, and that no religious tradition actually promotes the marginalisation of human beings. Religion can be either an obstacle or an asset in expanding human rights for LGBTI people. Overwhelming evidence has shown however that religion has been  a major obstacle to the full inclusion of LGBTI people in society.  A religious attack requires a religious response, and the LGBTI community needs more training and strategizing around how to confront religious attacks. LGBTI people have historically had to choose between their spirituality and their sexuality, a choice no one should have to make. They are both attacked by the religious right and often ostracized within the LGBTI community because of their association to faith and religion. While religion has historically been the enemy of LGBTI people, many LGBTI people are also people of faith, and this opposition has added to their difficulties.

This project will focus primarily on the following:

  1. Providing opportunities for gathering, documenting and disseminating stories of hurt, hope and healing regarding the impact of religion on LGBTI people.

  2. A national consultation will be held on ideas for addressing religious-based homophobia and transphobia.

  3. That resources be gathered and promoted regarding comprehensive sexual education programs.

  4. That resources be gathered and promoted for religious leaders regarding biblical interpretation.

This project is funded by the Government of Canada.

 

Costa Rica

2023 - ongoing

Costa Rica, historically a 2SLGBTQ+ safe haven, has recently seen a significant increase in religious hate. RFF is working with activists on the ground to support both short and long term solutions.

Historically Costa Rica has served as a haven of safety for 2SLGBTQ+ Latin Americans. However, recently the US Evangelical movement has been pouring money into Costa Rica leading to an increase in religious hate. With the rise of Christian Fundamentalism in Costa Rica, it’s very timely and necessary for RFF to be working with activists on the ground in Costa Rica. Things will not change overnight, however RFF is making a long term commitment to Costa Rica. We will work with activists on the ground to support both short and long term solutions. 

The first step involves gathering stories of how religion has negatively impacted LGBTI people in Costa Rica. We need to give an opportunity for people to tell their stories and to gather examples of the damage religion has done, and to show the necessity of a different way of dealing with religion. We believe that by using storytelling, we can help to heal part of the damage done by religious-based discrimination, especially to those LGBTI members that see their religion as a painful part of their lives, and therefore they avoid approaching religious organizations because of their fear and resentment.

Secondly, we will begin a process to consult Costa Rican activists, organizations, and allies to begin to develop short, medium and long term solutions for decreasing religious-based homophobia and religious-based transphobia. Costa Rica has a strong LGBTI history of activism built on the need to legalize equal marriage, which happened in 2020, thanks to the efforts of the National Movement for Equal Marriage. So, there is sufficient ground to start working with those organizations and activists to keep improving the social environment and to reduce the stigma against LGBTI people based due to religious-based discrimination.

Such solutions might include: Training young LGBTI activists on how to have respectful dialogue with religious leaders, in particular local pastors; empowering allies to be respectful spokespersons; and identifying and empowering supportive churches, synagogues, mosques who are found to be safer places and encouraging other faith communities to become safer.