Trans and Queer Fund
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History[edit]
The Trans and Queer Fund (TQF) was founded in March 2020, by Mumbi and ex co-founder Makena Ngito, during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis. Many transgender and queer Kenyan citizens working in the hospitality industry were laid off from their jobs due to a government-ordered lockdown and were in need of financial support.[1] Initially, Mumbi sought aid for individuals in dire need of financial assistance for necessities such as food and rent. Soon she partnered with Ngito to create small-scale fundraising to raise larger donations in response to the compounded needs of the Kenyan LGBTQ+ community during the pandemic. TQF soon brought on board other staff including Fats, Kedi, Karwitha Kirimi and Jabari Mwende.
Kenya, lacked avenues for trans and queer people to claim the support they needed in a non-bureaucratic way. The state and NGOs typically received funds earmarked for particular objectives so even during the crisis when they needed to repurpose those funds for COVID relief, it was nearly impossible for them to do so. This gap in support led Mumbi and Makena to launch TQF as a mutual aid fund.[2]
Ethos[edit]
TQF is working towards a future where all people are free from imperialism, capitalism, cisheteropatriarchy and ethnonationalism. They facilitate a present where transgender and queer people are collectively working towards food and housing justice, accessible and affordable/free healthcare that includes gender-affirming care and mental healthcare, rest and supportive community.
Work[edit]
The Trans and Queer Fund works to improve the conditions of transgender and queer people in Kenya. They ensure the redistribution of monetary and non-monetary aid such as shelter, food, clothes and counseling, which cater to various requests for support. TQF also participate in community building, in political education on mutual aid and abolition.
TQF mobilizes funds primarily by making calls to action on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. The majority of contributions stem from Kenya, but the fund has also received donations from Canada, US and UK. Since TQF launched in March 2020, the fund has successfully redistributed over Ksh.2.6 million to queer and trans people across Africa. The organisation communicates with beneficiaries mainly via social media and messaging apps such as Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp and email. They receive and redistribute donations via M-Pesa, M-Changa and PayPal.[3]
TQF has assisted over 1 000 people in Kenya primarily. In 2020 they also assisted LGBTQ+ Nigerians during the #EndSARS protests and LGBTQ+ Namibians during the #TotalShutDown protests.[4] They also created a temporary safe house for queer human rights defenders in Kayole, Nairobi and continue to provide material support for trans and queer people in Kenya in emergencies.
Donation Distribution System[edit]
TQF uses a bi-weekly model: The first two weeks of each month are dedicated to receiving requests for support and the last two weeks of each month are dedicated to distributing donations to meet those requests.[5] According to a TQF Instagram post, the distribution of funds is non-hierarchical:
“The fund addresses requests on a first come, first serve basis. The last two weeks of the month are dedicated towards fulfilling all requests collected until funds are exhausted. TQF welcome beneficiaries to also make requests in the last two weeks of the month, as any unattended requests are moved to the top of the list in the new month.”[6]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Interview with Kanyogo Mumbi". Personal Communication (Interview). Interviewed by Mumbi Kangogo. South Africa. September 16, 2022.
- ↑ Jade-Candice Wambui (February 8, 2022). "Community, Care, and Mutual Aid: A Profile on the Trans and Queer Solidarity Fund KE". Medium.
- ↑ Trans Queer Fund. "trans.queer.fund.ke". Instagram. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ↑ "Interview with Kanyogo Mumbi". Personal Communication (Interview). Interviewed by Mumbi Kangogo. South Africa. September 16, 2022.
- ↑ Trans Queer Fund. "@TransqueerKe". Twitter. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ↑ Trans Queer Fund (November 2, 2021). "@trans.queer.fund.ke". Instagram.
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