WR Fundraising Kiki
Donation protected
During the Wedding Renaissance 2020 - a celebration of the arts and liberation movements during the Harlem Renaissance - we are organizing a Fundraiser Kiki Ball on the 12 September in Berlin to highlight and support key figures fighting for equal rights across the African continent to support local communities in need. We are working on a later online streaming of the Event to gather more funds and share our community event!
Special thank you to Mandhla for supporting the process of connecting with the following organization:
Zimbabwe - HQ Collective (Harare Queers Collective)
www.instagram.com/hq_collectivezw
https://www.facebook.com/hqcollectivezw
Harare Queer Collective aims to cultivate spaces for queer and LGBTQ+ people to have fun, meet one another, get inspired, learn, celebrate and be celebrated in Zimbabwe. To create spaces for this we are committed to providing a friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, physical appearance, body size, trans status, professional experience and education (or lack thereof), technical choices, lack of technical knowledge, ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion (or lack thereof) and other personal conditions and choices.
About the donation fund / fundraising :
HQ Collective are a volunteer-run group of queer bodies seeking to redefine the sociopolitical climate for queers in Zimbabwe through events and discussions that celebrate queerness. Due to the mounting effects of COVID-19, they are taking this time as a group to create a mutual aid fund for the queer community here in Zimbabwe.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans are in an increasingly dangerous situation: out of work and out of range for aid. The lockdown has seen (and will see) many people suffering due to the lockdown measures that are and were enforced by the state, as well as the human rights crisis plaguing Zimbabweans at this time due to an oppressive regime. Movement and transport have been restricted, and many marginalized individuals are subject to police and military violence as a result of attempting to provide for themselves and their families. The majority of Zimbabweans are self employed or work in the informal sector, which has been particularly hard hit. Poor people are criminalized in their movement towards aid, and resources such as food and healthcare. Much of the aid that is circulated comes from NGOs in the larger cities which are both inaccessible and not trustworthy based on fund circulation in the past. Out of the large percentage of people who regularly struggle to find stable work due to home environments and access to resources, a disproportionate number are LGBTQIA+ Zimbabweans. Many members of the community were not formally employed, and were not living at home with their families (due to them being forced to leave home, because of familial rejection around their LGBTQIA+ identity). Most are or were staying in rented accommodation. As a result of these conditions, and arising during the lockdown period, many LGBTQIA+ people reported an inability to feed themselves or retain their rented accommodation (due to lack of access to income). Some reported experiencing increased amounts of intimate partner violence and abuse at the hands of family members they were forced to stay with. Many also indicated an inability to access healthcare such as HIV medication and preventatives due to movement restrictions. As a result of all the aforementioned, reports of mental health issues have risen drastically in this period. It is disheartening to note that due to widespread social stigma and criminalization of LGBTQIA+ folks, such persons are unable to benefit from many of the aid initiatives launched during the period that could help to mitigate these unique challenges.
We recognize that these issues require a strong response from the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies. We further recognize that such LGBTQIA+ care is and has always been a collective and communal effort. Thus, we want to provide care and mutual aid within and for communities in the face of ongoing infrastructural failure. We will not leave our community behind simply because of an inequitable access to resources.
Our goal is to gather and distribute funds and aid for one of the most marginalized communities in Zimbabwe, many of whom are without income, healthcare, secure housing and food during this time as well as after. Our aim is to raise $15 000 USD to assist as many as 300 queer individuals with $50 stipends, care package (food and household items), mental health resources, rent payment, medical payments. Even after the lockdown is lifted, we plan to continue supporting members of the LGBTQIA+ community as we anticipate the effects to be long lasting and unpredictable. Due to the Zimbabwean economy's hyperinflation, we are no longer able to solely fundraise amongst ourselves. We are therefore expanding this mutual aid project beyond borders and across countries, time zones, and lived experiences. With donations raised, we would like to provide financial support, mental health resources and any essential reliefs to those unable to obtain them.
We are asking for donations from queer community members, allies, organizations, mentors, friends, peers, and family members. HQ recognizes that this time is monetarily precarious for many, so no amount that you can give is too small. We appreciate any support whether that be via monetary donation, an unused portion of your stimulus check shared via PayPal or Venmo, sharing our fundraiser, following our social media, reposting to your network, and spreading the word. The work of mutual aid is a collective effort and we are calling on you to aid us in our efforts to make sure our community is also taken care of.
If you are looking to apply to the fund please find the link here: HQ Collective Mutual Aid Intake Form for Zimbabwe LGBTQIA . If the google form is not accessible for you please reach out via email, Instagram, Twitter, or WhatsApp to access the application or to even share your situation with us, and we will then work to get you access to the resources you need. Again, although this fund prioritizes and is focused on the livelihood of queer Zimbabweans, we also want to be an accessible resource for marginalized folks during this time as well.
Cape Town - The Kirvan Fourtuin
https://instagram.com/kirvanfortuin
https://kirvanfortuin.weebly.com
The Kirvan Fortuin Foundation NPO is an umbrella organisation that uses dance as a tool to educate and create social awareness. The work of the foundation is focused on the youth and young aspiring dancers from the marginalised areas of South Africa, with programs implemented in Macassar, East London, Mthatha, George, Bloemfontein and other areas in the greater Cape region. The youth from these disadvantage areas are given professional training and experience by working with some of the best teachers in the fields of dance, choreography and fitness. Most of them are given their first professional experience in a formal theatre setting when they work with the organisation. Dancers are trained in Classical Ballet, Ballet for Contemporary dancers, various contemporary dance techniques, partnering and repertoire being exposed to international trends whilst finding and developing a uniquely South African contemporary dance language. It is named and started after Kirvan Fortuin, a South African born choreographer and dancer who studied and graduated from University of Cape Town, Dance Teachers Diploma & BMuz Hons in Choreography, and Codarts University for the Arts (BA: Performer). They performed in works by Jan Martens, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Krisztina de Chatel and Cora Bos Kroese touring to the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium,Italy and Poland and worked as a freelance dancer and choreographer. They were the Overall Mother of the House of Le Cap, a voguing house in Cape Town, South Africa and were a huge and integral part of creating a ballroom scene in South Africa, and making the scene what it is today. Unfortunately, Kirvan passed away this year and we would like to support their legacy through this foundation.
South Africa - Kiki House of Le Cap
https://www.instagram.com/houseoflecap/
https://www.facebook.com/KikiHouseoflecap
South Africa's premiere ballroom House, birthing the ballroom culture here in Africa. From the runway to the classroom, the mothers of le Cap are here to educate and really get people to learn and understand what voguing is really about. The voguing and the ballroom scene was created as a space that provides inclusivity and safety for people from the LGBTQI community. So if you aspire to get your tens and don't want to be clocked, read or chopped, then keep an eye out for our events outside the kiki scene and learn children. To Kiki, you need to know what you're doing and why you're doing it.
Special thank you to Mandhla for supporting the process of connecting with the following organization:
Zimbabwe - HQ Collective (Harare Queers Collective)
www.instagram.com/hq_collectivezw
https://www.facebook.com/hqcollectivezw
Harare Queer Collective aims to cultivate spaces for queer and LGBTQ+ people to have fun, meet one another, get inspired, learn, celebrate and be celebrated in Zimbabwe. To create spaces for this we are committed to providing a friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, physical appearance, body size, trans status, professional experience and education (or lack thereof), technical choices, lack of technical knowledge, ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion (or lack thereof) and other personal conditions and choices.
About the donation fund / fundraising :
HQ Collective are a volunteer-run group of queer bodies seeking to redefine the sociopolitical climate for queers in Zimbabwe through events and discussions that celebrate queerness. Due to the mounting effects of COVID-19, they are taking this time as a group to create a mutual aid fund for the queer community here in Zimbabwe.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans are in an increasingly dangerous situation: out of work and out of range for aid. The lockdown has seen (and will see) many people suffering due to the lockdown measures that are and were enforced by the state, as well as the human rights crisis plaguing Zimbabweans at this time due to an oppressive regime. Movement and transport have been restricted, and many marginalized individuals are subject to police and military violence as a result of attempting to provide for themselves and their families. The majority of Zimbabweans are self employed or work in the informal sector, which has been particularly hard hit. Poor people are criminalized in their movement towards aid, and resources such as food and healthcare. Much of the aid that is circulated comes from NGOs in the larger cities which are both inaccessible and not trustworthy based on fund circulation in the past. Out of the large percentage of people who regularly struggle to find stable work due to home environments and access to resources, a disproportionate number are LGBTQIA+ Zimbabweans. Many members of the community were not formally employed, and were not living at home with their families (due to them being forced to leave home, because of familial rejection around their LGBTQIA+ identity). Most are or were staying in rented accommodation. As a result of these conditions, and arising during the lockdown period, many LGBTQIA+ people reported an inability to feed themselves or retain their rented accommodation (due to lack of access to income). Some reported experiencing increased amounts of intimate partner violence and abuse at the hands of family members they were forced to stay with. Many also indicated an inability to access healthcare such as HIV medication and preventatives due to movement restrictions. As a result of all the aforementioned, reports of mental health issues have risen drastically in this period. It is disheartening to note that due to widespread social stigma and criminalization of LGBTQIA+ folks, such persons are unable to benefit from many of the aid initiatives launched during the period that could help to mitigate these unique challenges.
We recognize that these issues require a strong response from the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies. We further recognize that such LGBTQIA+ care is and has always been a collective and communal effort. Thus, we want to provide care and mutual aid within and for communities in the face of ongoing infrastructural failure. We will not leave our community behind simply because of an inequitable access to resources.
Our goal is to gather and distribute funds and aid for one of the most marginalized communities in Zimbabwe, many of whom are without income, healthcare, secure housing and food during this time as well as after. Our aim is to raise $15 000 USD to assist as many as 300 queer individuals with $50 stipends, care package (food and household items), mental health resources, rent payment, medical payments. Even after the lockdown is lifted, we plan to continue supporting members of the LGBTQIA+ community as we anticipate the effects to be long lasting and unpredictable. Due to the Zimbabwean economy's hyperinflation, we are no longer able to solely fundraise amongst ourselves. We are therefore expanding this mutual aid project beyond borders and across countries, time zones, and lived experiences. With donations raised, we would like to provide financial support, mental health resources and any essential reliefs to those unable to obtain them.
We are asking for donations from queer community members, allies, organizations, mentors, friends, peers, and family members. HQ recognizes that this time is monetarily precarious for many, so no amount that you can give is too small. We appreciate any support whether that be via monetary donation, an unused portion of your stimulus check shared via PayPal or Venmo, sharing our fundraiser, following our social media, reposting to your network, and spreading the word. The work of mutual aid is a collective effort and we are calling on you to aid us in our efforts to make sure our community is also taken care of.
If you are looking to apply to the fund please find the link here: HQ Collective Mutual Aid Intake Form for Zimbabwe LGBTQIA . If the google form is not accessible for you please reach out via email, Instagram, Twitter, or WhatsApp to access the application or to even share your situation with us, and we will then work to get you access to the resources you need. Again, although this fund prioritizes and is focused on the livelihood of queer Zimbabweans, we also want to be an accessible resource for marginalized folks during this time as well.
Cape Town - The Kirvan Fourtuin
https://instagram.com/kirvanfortuin
https://kirvanfortuin.weebly.com
The Kirvan Fortuin Foundation NPO is an umbrella organisation that uses dance as a tool to educate and create social awareness. The work of the foundation is focused on the youth and young aspiring dancers from the marginalised areas of South Africa, with programs implemented in Macassar, East London, Mthatha, George, Bloemfontein and other areas in the greater Cape region. The youth from these disadvantage areas are given professional training and experience by working with some of the best teachers in the fields of dance, choreography and fitness. Most of them are given their first professional experience in a formal theatre setting when they work with the organisation. Dancers are trained in Classical Ballet, Ballet for Contemporary dancers, various contemporary dance techniques, partnering and repertoire being exposed to international trends whilst finding and developing a uniquely South African contemporary dance language. It is named and started after Kirvan Fortuin, a South African born choreographer and dancer who studied and graduated from University of Cape Town, Dance Teachers Diploma & BMuz Hons in Choreography, and Codarts University for the Arts (BA: Performer). They performed in works by Jan Martens, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Krisztina de Chatel and Cora Bos Kroese touring to the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium,Italy and Poland and worked as a freelance dancer and choreographer. They were the Overall Mother of the House of Le Cap, a voguing house in Cape Town, South Africa and were a huge and integral part of creating a ballroom scene in South Africa, and making the scene what it is today. Unfortunately, Kirvan passed away this year and we would like to support their legacy through this foundation.
South Africa - Kiki House of Le Cap
https://www.instagram.com/houseoflecap/
https://www.facebook.com/KikiHouseoflecap
South Africa's premiere ballroom House, birthing the ballroom culture here in Africa. From the runway to the classroom, the mothers of le Cap are here to educate and really get people to learn and understand what voguing is really about. The voguing and the ballroom scene was created as a space that provides inclusivity and safety for people from the LGBTQI community. So if you aspire to get your tens and don't want to be clocked, read or chopped, then keep an eye out for our events outside the kiki scene and learn children. To Kiki, you need to know what you're doing and why you're doing it.
Fundraising team: WR Kiki Fundraiser (2)
Georgina Leo StLaurent
Organizer
Berlin
Prince Ofori
Beneficiary
MINCE E.V.
Team member
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