The Initiative For Equal Rights
Nigerian-based LGBT media monitoring group
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs) is a Nigeria-based registered non-for-profit organization which advocates for the rights of marginalized communities in Nigeria.[1]
| Founded | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit |
| Focus | Discrimination and marginalization of sexual minorities |
| Headquarters | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Location(s) | |
Region served | Nigeria |
| Method | Documentation and Monitoring, Legal Representation, Advocacy and Security Protection, and Storytelling |
Executive Director | Afolabi Aiyela |
| Employees | 6-25 |
| Website | theinitiativeforequalrights |
TIERs provide support and resources for sexual minorities,[2] including conducting educational programs, workshops, and seminars related to advocacy.[3][4]
The organization conducts research on issues affecting marginalized communities, producing reports and polls on issues regarding the rights and public opinion of Sexual and gender minorities.[5][6] It has also documented and reported Human rights abuses in Nigeria.[7]
History
The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs) was founded in 2005 as a response to the Discrimination and Marginalization of Sexual and gender minorities in both HIV prevention programming, human rights protection, advocacy, and mainstream human rights work.[8] It is based in Lagos.[9]
Programs
TIERs has partnered with Nollywood to produce films which represent Queer characters and experiences in a positive light, as most Nigerian films portray negative stereotypes of Queer character.[10] In 2016, the organization released Hell or High Water,[11] a short film which deals with societal expectations regarding Human sexuality in Nigeria.[12] It sponsored the 2018 film We Don't Live Here Anymore.[13]
TIERs has released 10 publications on issues concerning human rights, sexuality and gender orientation, violence, social rights and cultural relativism.[14]
See also
- Olumide Makanjuola, former director of TIERs
- List of LGBT rights organizations
- Violence against LGBT people
- Trans Media Watch
- All About Trans