Health Initiative for Equal Rights - HIER

Today, on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), we raise our voices for dignity, safety, equality, and the fundamental human rights of LGBTQI+ persons everywhere.

In many communities, countless individuals still face discrimination, violence, rejection, criminalization, and silence simply because of who they are or whom they love. Yet despite these realities, LGBTQI+ people continue to show courage, resilience, creativity, and hope.

At HIER Nigeria, we believe that every human being deserves to live free from fear, stigma, and exclusion. Human rights are universal, and no one should be denied healthcare, protection, opportunity, or belonging because of their identity or expression.

IDAHOBIT is more than a day of awareness.
It is a reminder that:

Inclusion saves lives.

Safety is a right, not a privilege.

Mental health matters.

Community care is powerful.

Equality can not wait.

As we commemorate this day, we call on leaders, institutions, allies, and communities to choose empathy over hatred, dialogue over discrimination, and humanity over prejudice.

To every LGBTQI+ person navigating life with strength and courage: You are valid.
You deserve joy.
You deserve protection.
You deserve to exist fully and freely.

Together, we continue building a society where everyone can live with dignity and without fear.

📣📣 Vous êtes un-e activiste LGBTQI basé-e en Afrique de l’Ouest ou dans la diaspora? Vous avez une initiative créative dédiée à soutenir la narration des histoires du mouvement LGBTQI et le plaidoyer?

Grâce au fonds d'initiatives créatives Asanka, l'ISDAO soutient un large éventail de projets créatifs, notamment des productions documentaires, théâtrales et cinématographiques, des publications de livres, des chorégraphies, de la musique, des arts visuels et bien plus encore !

👉🏾 Pour en savoir plus sur les candidatures à cette subvention, rendez-vous sur isdao.org/subvention/asanka-2026/

👉🏾 La date limite de soumission des notes conceptuelles est le 1er juin 2026

Celebrating the International Day of the Boy Child 💙

Today, we celebrate boys everywhere , their dreams, emotions, creativity, strength, and humanity.

At Health Initiative for Equal Rights (HIER), we believe every boy deserves a world where he is safe, heard, respected, and free to grow without fear, violence, or harmful expectations.

Boys are often taught to “man up,” stay silent, and hide their emotions. But true strength is found in compassion, honesty, vulnerability, and kindness.

Today is a reminder that boys also need: ✨ Mental health support
✨ Safe spaces to express themselves
✨ Protection from violence and abuse
✨ Positive role models
✨ Freedom to become who they truly are

When we raise boys with empathy, dignity, and respect for others, we build healthier communities and a more just society for everyone.

To every boy child: Your feelings matter.
Your voice matters.
Your future matters. 💙

Happy International Day of the Boy Child!

Being Nigerian and gay can teach you how to survive before it ever teaches you how to rest.

You learn how to read rooms.
How to answer questions carefully.
How to carry culture, family, faith, masculinity, expectations, and silence all at once.

Sometimes, the heaviest part is not hating where you come from.
It is loving it deeply…
while knowing it did not always know how to love all of you back.

The Gay Blueprint is for the man who is tired of performing strength while quietly grieving himself.

It is a life framework for gay men rebuilding identity, self-worth, emotional safety, masculinity, relationships, belonging, and peace after years of survival.

📣📣 Are you an LGBTQI activist based in West Africa or in the diaspora? Do you have a creative initiative dedicated to supporting storytelling and advocacy within the LGBTQI movement?

Through the Asanka Creative Initiatives Fund, ISDAO supports a wide range of creative projects, including documentary, theatre, and film productions, book publications, choreography, music, visual arts, and much more!

👉🏾 To learn more about applying for this grant, visit isdao.org/en/grant/asanka-2026

👉🏾 The deadline for submitting concept notes is 1st June 2026.

Youth-led & youth-serving organisations are invited to endorse the U=U Youth Manifesto, a global advocacy document co-created by young people living with and affected by . 📃

The Manifesto calls for universal access to treatment and viral load testing, mental health and psychosocial support, stigma-free healthcare, policy reform, and meaningful youth leadership in HIV responses.

Endorsements will help strengthen and promote this collective youth-led call at . We welcome organisations to review the Manifesto, provide feedback, and sign on in support by 22 May 2026 👉🏼 forms.gle/cVeevqA3HkG55HkM8

If you've ever questioned your gender identity, this might help you find clarity. 💛🤍💜🖤

Non-binary is a broad and inclusive term used by people whose gender identity exists outside the traditional idea of only “male” or “female.” While society often teaches us that there are only two genders, many people experience gender in ways that are more fluid, expansive, or completely different from those categories.

For some non-binary people, their identity may feel like a mix of both man and woman. Others may feel closer to one gender at certain times and another gender at different moments. Some people may not identify with any gender at all, while others create their own understanding of gender that feels true to them.

Being non-binary is not about “confusion” or “attention.” It is a real and valid identity that reflects the diversity of human experiences. Every person deserves the freedom to understand themselves in a way that brings comfort, honesty, and peace.

There is no single way to “look” or “act” non-binary. Some non-binary people dress femininely, masculinely, or androgynously, while others move between different forms of expression. Pronouns can also vary — some use they/them, some use he/him or she/her, and others may use a combination of pronouns that feels right for them.

Exploring your identity can take time, and that journey looks different for everyone. You do not need to have all the answers immediately. What matters most is giving yourself permission to learn, grow, and exist authentically without shame.

Gender is personal, and every experience is unique. 🌈✨

Today, we proudly celebrate the birthday of our esteemed Board Chairman, Akom Nya Ita, a visionary leader and a steadfast pillar of support to the Health Initiative for Equal Rights (HIER), Nigeria.

Your commitment to justice, equality, and the protection of human rights continues to inspire our work and strengthen our resolve as an organization. Through your guidance, HIER has continued to grow as a safe and empowering space for marginalized communities, advancing dignity, inclusion, and access to essential services.

On this special day, we honor not just your leadership, but your passion, integrity, and unwavering belief in a fair and just society for all.

We wish you good health, continued wisdom, and many more years of impactful leadership.

Happy Birthday, Sir! 🎉

HIER Nigeria

📌 Courtesy & Advocacy Visit to HIER Nigeria

On April 29th, 2026, HIER Nigeria received a courtesy and advocacy visit from the Initiative for Gender Equality and Sexual Reproductive Health (IGE-SRH), represented by Mr. Oluseyi Balogun.

The visit was part of an ongoing effort to engage with nascent organizations, understand their work, listen to their challenges, and explore opportunities for collaboration and support.

🌈 Sharing Our Story
During the engagement, our Executive Director shared the lived experiences that inspired HIER Nigeria’s mission,promoting dignity, safety, and equal rights for all, especially marginalized and LGBTQI+ communities.

⚖️ Our Work & Impact
We highlighted key areas of our work, particularly in Nasarawa State:

Human rights advocacy

Mental health and psychosocial support

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)

Safety and security interventions

Safe home referrals and economic empowerment

🏠 Key Challenge Identified
A major gap discussed was the lack of sustainable, safe homes for individuals facing violence and displacement,an urgent need within our communities.

🤝 Towards Collaboration
The visit strengthened mutual understanding and opened pathways for strategic partnerships, including recommendations to engage community gatekeepers and expand protection systems.

Together, we move forward with a shared vision of building inclusive systems where every individual can live freely, safely, and with dignity.

🌍 Happy Workers’ Day from HIER Nigeria ✊🏽

Today, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and dignity of workers everywhere , especially those whose voices are often unheard.

At HIER Nigeria, we recognize that for many marginalized individuals, work is not just about livelihood but also about survival in the face of stigma, discrimination, and exclusion. Despite these challenges, they continue to show courage, excellence, and determination every single day.

This Workers’ Day, we honor: ✨ The bravery of marginalized persons navigating unsafe work environments
✨ The advocates pushing for inclusive policies and protections
✨ The communities create safer spaces where everyone can thrive

We reaffirm our commitment to a future where every person, regardless of their identity, can access safe, dignified, and equal opportunities at work.

Decent work is a right , not a privilege. Inclusion makes it possible.

HIER Nigeria Update: TGW Q2 Meeting Highlights (NASSCA)

On April 21, 2026, HIER Nigeria was represented at the TGW Q2 meeting held at NASSCA by our focal person, Abubakar Ibrahim Jibrin. The meeting brought together key stakeholders working to advance the health and rights of Key Populations (KP) in Nasarawa State.

The session featured important updates from the KP Secretariat, highlighting activities carried out between January and March, including advocacy outreach, comprehensive sexuality education, HIV prevention, and condom awareness within communities.

LEMCO Organisation also shared progress on the MATASA Project, supported by AHIF, which focuses on young people and key populations. The project is currently about 80% completed, showing promising impact.

A major highlight of the meeting was the announcement that Nasarawa State has been selected for the rollout of injectable PrEP, alongside ongoing awareness on oral PrEP. This is a significant step forward in strengthening HIV prevention efforts.

However, a key discussion point emerged around a proposal to merge Key Populations (KP) and Adolescent & Young People (AYP) meetings into one during TGW sessions due to funding limitations. While this suggestion aims to manage resources, concerns were raised by KP members, emphasizing the need to maintain safe, inclusive, and focused spaces for each group.

At HIER Nigeria, we remain committed to advocating for the rights, dignity, and well-being of Key Populations. We will continue to engage stakeholders to ensure that all interventions are inclusive, community-led, and responsive to the unique needs of those we serve.