Kouraj

Kouraj (full name: KOURAJ Pour la Défense des Droits Humains en Haïti) is a Haitian association dedicated to defending the rights and freedoms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. It emerged from an earlier LGBT organization called Ami Ami, which was created in 2009. In December 2011, members of that group decided to change the organization's name and objectives, giving rise to Kouraj. The association is supported by the Bureau International des Avocats and the Défenseur des Opprimés. Kouraj's stated purpose is to defend the human rights of the 'M community,' a term it uses to encompass people who are stigmatized or discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The 'M community' includes those referred to as Masisi, Madivin, Gason Makomè, or Mix. The organization defines a masisi as any person who has been, is, or will potentially be discriminated against or stigmatized because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and it explicitly includes lesbians, gays, bisexuals, intersex, transgender, and transsexual people, as well as all those who do not conform to the heterosexual cultural norm imposed by Haitian society. Throughout its history, Kouraj has been active in denouncing homophobia and advocating for the protection of LGBT individuals in Haiti. In January 2013, it denounced homophobic remarks made by religious leaders. In July 2013, it called for the protection of LGBT people following a demonstration against homosexuals. Later that year, the association received threats and its offices were vandalized. In 2016, Kouraj challenged a senator from the Ligue Dessalinienne who accused homosexual scenes broadcast on television of 'disturbing the normal development of youth.' On November 25, 2019, Kouraj's founding president, Charlot Jeudy, was found dead under unclear circumstances. He was in his thirties, and the motives for his death remain undetermined, though some close to him mentioned possible poisoning. Despite this tragedy, Kouraj continues its advocacy work for the rights of the M community in Haiti.

Kouraj originated from an earlier LGBT association called Ami Ami, which was created in 2009. In 2010, some Haitians accused homosexuals of being responsible for the earthquake. In December 2011, members of Ami Ami decided to change the name and goals of the association. It adopted the name KOURAJ Pour la Défense des Droits Humains en Haïti. The organization is supported by the Bureau International des Avocats and the Défenseur des Opprimés. The association's purpose is to defend the human rights of the 'M community.' The M community brings together people referred to as Masisi, Madivin, Gason Makomè, or Mix. Kouraj defines a masisi as any person who has been, is, or will potentially be discriminated against or stigmatized because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It explicitly includes lesbians, gays, bisexuals, intersex, transgender, and transsexual people, as well as all those who do not conform to the heterosexual cultural norm violently imposed by Haitian society. In January 2013, the association denounced homophobic remarks by religious leaders. In July 2013, it called for the protection of LGBT people following a demonstration against homosexuals. At the end of that year, the association received threats and its offices were vandalized. In 2016, Kouraj challenged a senator from the Ligue Dessalinienne, who accused homosexual scenes broadcast on television of 'disturbing the normal development of youth.' On November 25, 2019, Kouraj's founding president, Charlot Jeudy, was found dead under unclear circumstances. He was in his thirties, and the motives for his death remain undetermined. However, some close to him mentioned a possible poisoning.

• Creation of Ami Ami, the predecessor LGBT association.

• Some Haitians accuse homosexuals of being responsible for the earthquake.

• Members of Ami Ami change the name and goals of the association, adopting the name KOURAJ Pour la Défense des Droits Humains en Haïti.

• Kouraj denounces homophobic remarks by religious leaders.

• Kouraj calls for the protection of LGBT people following a demonstration against homosexuals.

• The association receives threats and its offices are vandalized.

• Kouraj challenges a senator from the Ligue Dessalinienne who accused homosexual scenes on television of disturbing the normal development of youth.

• Founding president Charlot Jeudy is found dead under unclear circumstances.

Human rights advocacy organization for the LGBT community in Haiti

1. 1Kouraj - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Kouraj - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org