Young Queer Alliance

• Education, Empowerment, and Sensitization: Programmes aimed at educating and empowering individuals while raising awareness on various issues
• Psycho-social Counselling and Case Management: Providing support and management for individuals dealing with personal challenges, including HIV/AIDS and STI prevention
• Safe Spaces and Emergency Sheltering: Creating safe environments and offering emergency sheltering specifically for LBT women and girls
• Advocacy and Litigation: Advocating for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and engaging in legal actions to protect these rights

Beneficiaries: The primary beneficiaries of YQA's services are young LGBTQIA+ individuals.

The Young Queer Alliance (YQA) was founded on February 1, 2014, a significant date in Mauritius as it commemorates the Abolition of Slavery. Official registration followed on September 1, 2014, after successfully lodging a complaint with the Equal Opportunities Commission regarding homophobic attitudes from authorities.

Since its inception, YQA has made significant strides through advocacy, activism, and field interventions across various legal, social, policy-making, and health matters. With strong networking among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) youth and other stakeholders, YQA has established itself as a key player in the fight for equality in the Republic of Mauritius. The organisation is recognised for its efforts both locally and regionally, serving as a reference point for the LGBTQIA+ community and related advocacy groups.

Mission

The Young Queer Alliance is dedicated to advancing equal human rights for LGBTQIA+ people in Mauritius by instilling a culture of volunteering and activism. YQA seeks to empower LGBTQIA+ people to promote equality and become leaders of change.

Vision

The Young Queer Alliance envisions an inclusive and accepting society where being human is the sole prerequisite to having equal human rights, and where LGBTQIA+ people are safe and free.

YQA’s Core Values and Approach

• Diversity: Recognising, respecting, and valuing that everyone is an individual and different. Ensuring that multiple identities are represented within the organisation.
• Equality: Striving to provide equal opportunities to everyone and protecting people from discrimination. Adopting a non-discriminatory approach in services, actions, and decision-making processes.
• Inclusion: Creating a sense of belonging, where people feel respected, valued, and supported for who they are. Ensuring that the thoughts, ideas, and perspectives of all individuals matter, and that all voices are heard.
• Activism: Being an independent and militant organisation that actively seeks, trains, and empowers community members to become leaders of social change.
• Respect: Treating people and communities with fairness, respecting confidentiality, and being accountable and transparent in actions to all partners and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Pillars of Action

• Empowering Individuals: Providing education, resources, and support to help individuals understand their rights and develop their potential.
• Promoting Acceptance and Celebrating Diversity: Advocating for societal acceptance and recognition of the LGBTQIA+ community and celebrating the diversity within it.
• Reclaiming and Changing Laws: Engaging in advocacy and legal actions to reform laws and policies that affect the LGBTQIA+ community, ensuring equal rights and protections.

Through these pillars, YQA strives to create a more inclusive and equitable society in Mauritius.

Advocacy and policy changes

Since its inception, the Young Queer Alliance (YQA) has been actively involved in advocacy efforts to change discriminatory laws and policies. The organisation successfully challenged the blood donation ban on homosexuals and bisexuals through a case at the Equal Opportunities Commission, winning the case in late 2014. Additionally, YQA filed a case to ensure its registration by the State, achieving official registration in 2014. YQA also participated in the 121st session of the United Nations Human Rights Committee with the support of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), submitting a report advocating for non-discrimination of LGBT persons, protection from hate, decriminalisation of sodomy, and recognition of marriage equality or civil partnerships.

Research and publications

YQA engages in research to provide evidence-based information for advancing its objectives. The organisation has published two barometers on LGBTI and politics in Mauritius and conducted a study on the socio-economic conditions of LGBTQ individuals in Mauritius.

HIV outreach

Since 2015, under the Global Fund programme and with funding from PILS, the Young Queer Alliance (YQA) has conducted outreach work with young Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) focused on HIV sensitization, condom and lubricant distribution, and referrals. This initiative addresses the concentrated HIV epidemic among Commercial Sex Workers, Injecting Drug Users, and MSM.

In 2017 alone, YQA employed a coordinating officer, outreach workers, and peer educators to achieve significant outreach goals. These included reaching approximately 730 young MSM through peer-to-peer sensitization interventions, distributing 5,000 condoms and 4,750 lubricant packets for free. Additionally, YQA developed a playing card game designed for volunteers and peer educators to engage beneficiaries in interactive and responsive HIV, Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), and LGBTI sensitization activities.

Emergency Sheltering, Case Management, and Social Support

The Young Queer Alliance (YQA) collaborates with Gender Links to operate Safe Haven Halfway Home, a shelter for young women and girls. This shelter accommodates around nine young girls, including some who identify as lesbian, typically for periods ranging from one to two years, depending on their individual circumstances. Additionally, YQA has provided temporary shelter to a gay person for three months until the individual secured employment and a safe place to live. Beyond sheltering, YQA offers counselling services, case management, and reconciliation support for young LGBT individuals with their families, ensuring their overall well-being and integration into safe environments.

Media Interventions

The Young Queer Alliance (YQA) has recently launched its website, which reaches around 1,000 visitors daily. The website serves as an informative platform, sharing news about the organisation's work and other pertinent information. It provides details on YQA's structure, upcoming events, and includes a resource centre with publications. Additionally, the site features a services map that highlights youth and LGBTQIA-friendly locations offering specific services. This online presence is designed to effectively reach and engage the community, providing essential resources and information to support and empower LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Please visit the YQA website https://youngqueeralliance.com for more information.

The Young Queer Alliance (YQA) receives funding from various sources to support its initiatives:

• PILS (under Global Fund)
• ViiV Healthcare (Positive Action)
• OutRight Action International
• Local Volunteer Donations
• Membership