TransWave

Location: Jamaica

Focus: Supporting the trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming community in Jamaica

Website: https://transwaveja.org

TransWave are Jamaica’s first non-profit organisation dedicated solely to promoting the health and wellbeing of the transgender, gender non-conforming and intersex communities. Their advocacy focuses on legal gender recognition, non-discriminatory and gender-affirming healthcare, and access to affordable transition-related healthcare. They have successfully increased visibility and acceptance of the trans community through engaging online and social media content, mobilising around Jamaica Pride, and establishing the first and only emergency fund for trans individuals at risk in Jamaica. 

As COVID-19 took hold, trans people, particularly sex workers, felt stigmatised and discriminated against when accessing health care spaces. In this context, TransWave helped the community access vital healthcare. 

In 2020, TransWave reactivated their Trans Emergency Fund, initially launched with GiveOut’s grant, to support trans people with housing, medicine or transport. They provided close to 400 care packages across 9 parishes, including non-perishable food items and toiletries. These care packages have made a huge difference, at times between life and death. TransWave also worked with UCTRANS to distribute these packages, and are running a COVID hotline with J-FLAG, WE-Change and Equality Youth in Jamaica. 

Despite such a difficult year, TransWave launched the Trans and Gender non-conforming National Health Strategy and Needs Assessment Report, an important research and advocacy tool. In 2021, GiveOut’s grant will support TransWave’s core costs as they continue promoting the health and wellbeing of their communities.

GiveOut is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Registered Charity Number 1176434).