Mongolia’s LGBT Centre prioritises the country’s trans community, creating a more inclusive environment where trans voices are empowered to lead. This is vital in a context where trans people face profound challenges, including societal prejudice, limited healthcare access, and lack of legal protections. With this in mind, last year the LGBT Centre launched its first Trans Leadership Programme, a six-month initiative focused on developing leadership, advocacy, and community-building skills within the trans community.
The Trans Leadership Programme provided more than basic training; it offered a safe space for participants to build confidence, develop critical activism skills, and learn effective tools for navigating structural challenges. Through workshops on policy advocacy, project management, and community mobilisation, as well as personalised mentorship, participants gained valuable insights into organising grassroots efforts within Mongolia’s challenging environment.
This year, the programme’s activities culminated in the creation of Trans for Unity, Mongolia’s first trans-led organisation. Formed and led by graduates of the Leadership Programme, Trans for Unity advocates directly for the needs of Mongolia’s trans community. With ongoing support from the LGBT Centre, Trans for Unity has quickly become a cornerstone for trans-led advocacy in Mongolia, inspiring other trans Mongolians to believe in their potential to create change.
“This programme gave me a voice I didn’t know I had,” shared one programme graduate who is now a core member of Trans for Unity. “We learned not only to advocate for our rights but to build something lasting, something that others can stand on in the future.”
The establishment of Trans for Unity represents a milestone for Mongolia’s trans movement, providing direct representation and solidarity. Through initiatives like the Trans Leadership Programme, the LGBT Centre is helping to build a resilient and inclusive trans movement in Mongolia, demonstrating that with the right support, grassroots activism can drive meaningful social change.