Arcoiris Timor Leste is an organization dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community in Timor Leste. Established with a vision to create an inclusive and supportive environment, the organization works tirelessly to raise awareness, provide resources, and offer a safe haven for individuals facing discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Through various programs and initiatives, Arcoiris Timor Leste engages in community outreach, education, and advocacy efforts. They collaborate with local and international partners to promote acceptance, equality, and human rights for all. The organization also provides counseling, legal assistance, and support services to those in need, ensuring that everyone has access to the help and guidance they require. It has established a safe place for the members to meet their peers, share their experiences and receive possible support and referrals for strengthening their social and economic activities and live dignifiedly.

Arcoiris Timor Leste plays a crucial role in fostering a more inclusive society, where diversity is celebrated, and every individual is recognized and valued for who they are. Our unwavering commitment to social justice and equality continues to making a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable community across the nation.

 

Where it all begins..

Started as a support group without a name, Arcoiris Timor Leste came into existence in year 2014-15. Initially it was a group of transmen and lesbian women who needed safe place to meet, talk and share their challenges. The safe place started swelling and soon became popular among LBT community.

Registration in year 2020, Arcoiris Timor Leste received support from Plan International Timor Leste, Outright International and Planet Romeo. This period of meaning for grounding human rights work, making organizational existence visible and heard. This support was aimed at mobilizing LGBTIQ+ community, understanding their needs and sharing information. During COVID 19 times, Arcoiris Timor Leste mobilized support for LGBTIQ community and distributed essential items including food materials and hygiene products. The emergency support from Outright International, and Direct Aid was highly useful.

 

In year 2021-22, Arcoiris joined CODIVA to support ‘Reducing discrimination against LGBTI persons and equitable support services for LGBTI survivors of violence’. This was a Spotlight Initiative by UN Women, Timor Leste. Spotlight Initiative, was a global program of the combined UN agencies aiming at

 

Supported by GIZ, Arcoiris implemented a project on ‘GBV Prevention in Community Practices' aiming at creating communities practicing GBV prevention in year 202. This included sensitizing the key stakeholders, community and youth groups focusing on creating non threatening inclusive spaces to share experiences and ideas around GBV, dispel misconceptions that men are born violent, and emphasize that violence is learned so can be unlearned as well.

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In year 2022, US Embassy in Timor Leste supported an initiative focused on school based education programs on Human Rights, SOGIESC, Gender based violence and community outreach. Arcoiris Timor-Leste started implementing its project called ‘Gender Based Violence Prevention in Community Practices’ in DIli. It aimed at creating awareness and build skills among the youth and various other community stakeholders on prevention of gender-based violence.  It was base on a premise that the young people and youth possess necessary knowledge, information, and skills on different aspects and root cause of violence, it is difficult to expect them to break the cycle of violence in their personal relationships, families, and communities. Simultaneously it is important to work at the community level to create a safe, supportive and enlightened environment for the Youth Promoters to use their knowledge and actively participate in the GBV prevention activities.