The Rustin Fund Campaign for CHIYN

Based in north central Nigeria, CHIYN supports health and economic empowerment programming for the most marginalized within a society deeply hostile to LGBTQ+ people. They offer health education, HIV prevention/testing/treatment services, and mental health services as well as housing for homeless youth, economic empowerment training and job placement.

CHIYN does its work under absurdly dangerous conditions. Outright reports that in Nigeria “Same-sex relations are illegal throughout the country. Furthermore, twelve northern regions have adopted a form of Sharia Law that makes same-sex relations punishable by death and criminalizes gender expression which does not correspond with gender norms associated with the sex assigned at birth… [Nigeria] imposes a 10-year prison sentence on anyone who “registers, operates, or participates in gay clubs, societies, and organizations.” It also prescribes a penalty for people who know or “abet” same-sex relationships, thus criminalizing the friends and families of LGBTIQ people.” The courage of the activists involved in CHIYN is simply extraordinary.

The Rustin Fund (on whose Board Kevin serves) is partnering with CHIYN for a campaign to cover the cost of purchasing a safe house and office space.  They need $16,000 to purchase and restore their own building and provide a safe & secure home for the organization and those it serves and, in some cases, houses.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation here.