Research, advocacy and policy

Triangle Project not only provides direct service provision to LGBTQI+ communities, but maintains a permanent programme committed to research, advocacy and policy on LGBTQI+ and SOGIESC issues. Check out our research reports, policy briefs, submissions and press releases below.

Research Reports

Stillman, Caroline. (2020, October). An exploration of LGBTQI+ healthcare in South Africa in the context of the National Health Insurance policy: Executive Summary. University of Edinburgh & Triangle Project.
Müller, A., Meer, T. & Haji, M. (2020). Quality through Inclusion? Community-led healthcare delivery, training and advocacy related to sexual and reproductive health of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in South Africa. Amsterdam: COC Netherlands.
Thorpe, Jennifer. (2018, February). Power and Participation: How LGBTIQ People can Shape South African Politics. Triangle Project & LGBTQ Victory Institute.
Thorpe, Jennifer. (2018, February). Power and Participation: A Guide to LGBTIQ Political Participation for Civil Society and Activists. Triangle Project & LGBTQ Victory Institute.
Thorpe, Jennifer. (2018, February). Political Participation of LGBTIQ Persons: A Guide for South African Political Parties. Triangle Project & LGBTQ Victory Institute.
Justice Delayed: Activist engagement in the Zoliswa Nkonyana hate-crime trial
Levels of Empowerment Among LGBT people in the Western Cape, South Africa
Your Hate Wont Change Us: A Triangle Project human rights report

Education

National Department of Basic Education (DBE)

Policy submissions

Triangle Project, Intersex South Africa, Gender DynamiX, Iranti, Legal Resources Centre, Women’s Legal Centre & Lawyers for Human Rights. (2023, 31 July). Submission to the Department of Basic Education on the Revised (Draft) Guidelines for the Socio-Educational Inclusion of Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) in Schools.
Western Cape Commissioner for Children, the Equal Education Law Centre & Triangle Project. (2023, 30 June). Joint Submissions by the Western Cape Commissioner for Children, Equal Education Law Centre, and Triangle Project on the Draft Guidelines for the Socio-Educational Inclusion of Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) in Schools. The submission is based on inputs from a consultation in Cape Town with approximately 30 learners between the ages of 13 and 18 from across the Western Cape.
Legal Resources Centre, Triangle Project & Women’s Legal Centre. (2019, 11 November). Submission to the Department of Basic Education on the booklet on Social Inclusion of Gender Diverse, Transgender and Intersex Learners in Schools.

Western Cape Education Department (WCED)

Policy submissions

Triangle Project, Legal Resources Centre, Women’s Legal Centre & Lawyers for Human Rights. (2020, 16 October). Oral Submission on Draft Guidelines on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in Public Schools of the Western Cape Education Department.
Legal Resources Centre, Triangle Project, Women’s Legal Centre & Lawyers for Human Rights. (2020, 19 June). Submission to the Western Cape Education Department on Draft Guidelines on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in Public Schools of the Western Cape Education Department.
Legal Resources Centre, Triangle Project, Women’s Legal Centre & Lawyers for Human Rights. (2019, 20 September). Submission on Draft Western Cape Education Department’s Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in Policy.

Press Releases and Open letters

Women’s Legal Centre & Triangle Project. (2023, 3 July). Inclusivity of Diverse SOGIESC in South African Schools. (Launch of an Equality Court case against a High School and the Western Cape Department of Education on the violation of the rights of trans learners).
Triangle Project & Legal Resources Centre. (2021, 9 July). Continued Discrimination in Western Cape Public and Private Schools against LGBTQI+ Learners based on their Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression and/or Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC). Open letter to Western Cape Education Department (WCED). Endorsed by Access Chapter 2, Be True 2 Me, Equal Education Law Centre, Gender DynamiX, HealthEnabled, Lesbian and Gay Community and Health Centre, Lower South Coast LGBTI Community Projects Rural, Matimba, OUT LGBT Well-being, Professional Association for Transgender Health (PATHSA), Same Love Toti, Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition (SRJC), Uthingo Network, Women’s Legal Centre, parents and learners.

Media articles

Govender, P. (2021, 20 July). ‘All for a piece of clothing’: School puts trans boy through the wringer. Sunday Times Daily. (The article covers the open letter to WCED of 9 July 2021 and includes comment from WCED).

Davids, J & Sheperd L. (2023, 23 May). ‘Demystifying gender neutral facilities at schools. IOL News.(This article explains the Guidelines for the Socio-Educational Inclusion of Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression, and Sex Characteristics in Schools. Specifically in relation to Section 7.12, on Bathrooms and Change Facilities).

Policy Briefs

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Schools Policy Brief, March 2016.

Gender Affirming Healthcare

Policy briefs

ICD-11 Reclassification of Transgender Related Categories Policy Brief (June 2018).

Gender-Based Violence and ‘Corrective’ Rape

Presentations

Triangle Project. (2015, 16 March). Presentation to Parliamentary researchers. Corrective rape: Patterns, knowledge gaps and human rights.

Gender Equality

Law and policy submissions

Triangle Project. (2014, 16 January). Submission to the Portfolio Committee On Women, Children and People With Disabilities re: Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill [B50-2013].

Hate Crimes and Hate Speech

Law and policy submissions

Triangle Project. Hate Crimes & Hate Speech Bill_Submission Guide, 2023.
Triangle Project & Women’s Legal Centre. (2022, 17 May). Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services: The Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill [B9-2018]. Oral submission.
The presentation can also be viewed from 2:31:03 on the Portfolio Committee’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJvE_S7cHPo
Triangle Project & Women’s Legal Centre. (2021, 1 October). Submission to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services on the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill [B9-2018].
Triangle Project. Hate Crimes Hate Speech Bill Submission Guide (2021).

Advocacy resources

Intersex Genital Mutilation (IGM)

Law and policy submissions

Intersex South Africa, Women’s Legal Centre, Triangle Project & Joshua Sehoole. (2020, 27 November). Submission to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development on the Children’s Amendment Bill [B18-2020].

Legal Gender Recognition

Policy submissions

Women’s Legal Centre, Triangle Project & Intersex South Africa. (2021, 15 March). Submission to the Department of Home Affairs on the Draft Official Identity Management Policy.

Open letters

Trans Activists Letter of Response to Minister of Home Affairs: Transgender and Gender-Diverse Persons and Essential Services at the Department of Home Affairs during Lockdown. Letter to Minister of Home Affairs by Iranti, Gender DynamiX, Transgender and Intersex Africa, Be True 2 Me, Triangle Project, Matimba, Trans Hope, Same Love Toti, Access Chapter 2, Legal Resources Centre & Women’s Legal Centre, 2 September 2020.
Transgender and Gender-Diverse Persons and Essential Services at the Department of Home Affairs during Lockdown. An open letter to the Minister of Home Affairs Hon. P.A. Motsoaledi, The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa, the NCCC, and all representatives of the Department of Home Affairs by Iranti, Gender DynamiX, Triangle Project, Matimba, Trans Hope, Transgender and Intersex Africa (TIA), Same Love Toti, Be True 2 Me, Women’s Legal Centre (WLC), Legal Resources Centre (LRC) and Access Chapter 2, 24 August 2020.

Press releases

Joint Media Statement of Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and the Trans Activist Coalition (Iranti, Gender DynamiX, Be True 2 Me, Triangle Project, Same Love Toti, Access Chapter 2, Transgender and Intersex Africa, Matimba, Women’s Legal Centre, Legal Resources Centre & Trans Hope), 21 September 2020.

Resources

Legal Resources Centre. (2020). Legal Gender Recognition: A step-by-step guide to applying to alter gender markers and forenames in terms of South African law.

Triangle Project. (2023). Home Affairs Gender Marker Applications: Sample Medical and Psychologist/Social Worker Letters.

Marriage and Relationship Equality

Marriage Bill

Triangle Project & Women’s Legal Centre. (2023, 31 August). Joint Submission to the Department of Home Affairs on the Marriage Bill [B-2022].

Marriage Policy

Policy submissions

Triangle Project & Women’s Legal Centre. (2021, 30 June). Submissions to the Department of Home Affairs on the Green Paper on Marriages in South Africa.

Media articles

May, Charlene; Mudarikwa, Mandi & Smit, Estian. (2021, 29 September). Separate marriage laws marginalise queer people. Mail & Guardian.

Single Marriage Statute

Law and policy submissions

Women’s Legal Centre & Triangle Project. (2021, 16 July). Submissions to the South African Law Reform Commission on their Discussion Paper 152 of Project 144: Single Marriage Statute.

Civil Unions

Law and policy submissions

Women’s Legal Centre & Triangle Project. (2019, 29 Nov). Joint Submission to the National Council of Provinces (“NCOP”) Select Committee on Security and Justice: Civil Union Amendment Bill [B 11B—2018].
Triangle Project & Lawyers for Human Rights. (2018, 23 October). Joint Submission to the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs – Civil Union Amendment Bill [B11-2018].
Triangle Project. (2018, 29 March). Submission to the Speaker: Civil Union Amendment Bill (Private Members’ Bill of Ms Deidre Carter of the Congress of the People). Endorsed by Lawyers for Human Rights.
Write your own submission: Civil Union Amendment Act

Open letters

Legal Resources Centre, Triangle Project, Women’s Legal Centre, Iranti, Free Gender, Gender DynamiX & Sonke Gender Justice. (2020, 12 Aug). Joint Letter to President Ramaphosa on Civil Union Amendment Bill B11B of 2018.

Press releases

Triangle Project, Legal Resources Centre, Women’s Legal Centre, Iranti, Free Gender, Gender DynamiX & Sonke Gender Justice. (2020, 26 Oct). Human Rights Organisations Celebrate as President Ramaphosa Signs the Civil Union Amendment Bill into Law.
Free Gender, Gender DynamiX, Iranti, Legal Resources Centre, Sonke Gender Justice, Triangle Project & Women’s Legal Centre. (2020, 25 Aug). Press Release: Human Rights Organisations Urge the President to Sign Civil Union Amendment Bill into Law.

National Health Insurance (NHI)

Policy submissions

Triangle Project. (2016, 31 May). Submission on National Health Insurance White Paper December 2015. Endorsed by Social, Health and Empowerment Feminist Collective of Transgender Women of Africa (SHE), Free Gender, Durban LGBTI Community and Health Centre, Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action (GALA), OUT LGBT Wellbeing, and Gay and Lesbian Network.

Advocacy resources

Triangle Project & Caroline Stillman. (2021, 3 June). LGBTQI+ People, SOGIESC Human Rights and the National Health Insurance. Advocacy brochure.

Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance 

Policy submissions

Triangle Project (2016, 30 June). Submission: National Action Plan on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. Endorsed by Durban LGBTI Community and Health Centre, Free State Rainbow Seeds, Gay and Lesbian Network Pietermaritzburg, Gender DynamiX, OUT LGBTI Wellbeing.

Refugees, migrants and asylum seekers

Policy submissions

Triangle Project. (2016, September). Submission on the Green Paper on International Migration. Endorsed by Access Chapter 2.

Safety and Security

Policy submissions

Afrika Tikkun’s Young Urban Women, AIDS Legal Network, Gender Health and Justice Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Isidima Sam, Masimanyane Women’s Suppor tCentre, Progressive Women’s Movement of SA, Children’s Happy Home Development Youth Centre, Rapcan, Sonke Gender Justice, SWEAT/Sisonke, Treatment Action Campaign, Triangle Project, Wellness Foundation, Western Cape Network on Violence Against Women, Women on Farms Project, Women’s Legal Centre & Young Urban Women. (2015, 18 September). Joint Submission on the Draft White Paper on Safety and Security.

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)

Law and policy submissions

Triangle Project. (2017, August). Submission on Private Member’s Bill on Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act (CTPA). Endorsed by Durban Lesbian and Gay Community Health Centre, Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action (GALA), Gay and Lesbian Network Pietermaritzburg, Iranti-Org, Social, Health and Empowerment Feminist Collective of Transgender Women of Africa (SHE).

Policy briefs

Sexual Offences

Law and policy submissions

Triangle Project. (2021, 9 July). Submission to the National Council of Provinces (“NCOP”) Select Committee on Security and Justice on the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act Amendment Bill [B 16B 2020].

Sex Work Decriminalisation

Law and policy submissions

Triangle Project. (2023, 31 January). Submission to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill, [B – 2022]. Endorsed by Lawyers for Human Rights.
Triangle Project. (2021, 9 July). Submission to the National Council of Provinces (“NCOP”) Select Committee on Security and Justice on the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act Amendment Bill [B 16B 2020].

Substance Use

Policy briefs

Substance Abuse Policy Brief, April 2016.

Victim Support Services

Law and policy submissions

Triangle Project. (2020, 7 October). Submission on the Victim Support Services (VSS) Bill, 2020, to the Department of Social Development.

Policy briefs

Thuthuzela Care Centres Policy Brief, March 2016.

United Nations Independent Expert on SOGI

Human rights submissions

Triangle Project, Gender Dynamix, Iranti, Intersex South Africa, Same Love Toti, Women’s Legal Centre & Legal Resources Centre. (2022, 7 February). Submissions to the United Nations Independent Expert on Protection Against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity on South Africa’s Realisation of the Right of Persons Affected by Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health, in Relation to SDG3.
Women’s Legal Centre, Legal Resources Centre, Same Love Toti, Triangle Project & Gender DynamiX. (2021, 14 March). Submissions to the United Nations Independent Expert on Protection against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity on the Thematic Report: Gender, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

United Nations Universal Periodic Review

Human rights submissions (shadow reports)

Intersex South Africa, Iranti & Triangle Project. (2022, 31 March). The Situation of Intersex Persons in South Africa: Submission to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (4th Cycle). State Under Review: South Africa.
Gender DynamiX, Iranti, Triangle Project, Women’s Legal Centre & Legal Resources Centre (2022, 31 March). Submission to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (4th Cycle) on the Experiences of Trans and Gender Diverse People in South Africa. State under Review: South Africa.
Iranti, Access Chapter 2 & Triangle Project. (2022, 31 March). The Experiences of Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Persons in South Africa: Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review. State Under Review: South Africa (4th Periodic Cycle).

Other Publications

Bullying

Safer Sex

Health and Human Rights

LGBTQI+ People, SOGIESC Human Rights and the National Health Insurance (NHI)

Press Statements

We Say NO! to Kopano Partnering with Unjust City! Statement by Triangle Project and Free Gender, 23 May 2022.
Gender Diversity Coalition Press Statement – Call for Action after UCT VC’s Harmful Seminar on LGBTQA+ Community, 7 September 2021. Joint press release by Iranti, Gender DynamiX, Triangle Project, Women’s Legal Centre, Legal Resources Centre, Matimba, Be True 2 Me, Access Chapter 2, Same Love Toti, Uthingo Network, Marion Stevens, Peter Benjamin, Health Enabled, Sanja Bornman, Anastacia Tomson, Lesbian and Gay Community and Health Centre & Trans Hope.
Human Rights Organisations Celebrate as President Ramaphosa Signs the Civil Union Amendment Bill into Law, 26 October 2020. Joint press release by Triangle Project, Legal Resources Centre, Women’s Legal Centre, Iranti, Free Gender, Gender DynamiX & Sonke Gender Justice.
Joint Media Statement of Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and the Trans Activist Coalition, 21 September 2020. Joint press release by Iranti, Gender DynamiX, Be True 2 Me, Triangle Project, Same Love Toti, Access Chapter 2, Transgender and Intersex Africa, Matimba, Women’s Legal Centre, Legal Resources Centre and Trans Hope.
Press Release: Human Rights Organisations Urge the President to Sign Civil Union Amendment Bill into Law, 25 August 2020. Joint press release by Free Gender, Gender DynamiX, Iranti, Legal Resources Centre, Sonke Gender Justice, Triangle Project & Women’s Legal Centre.
Transgender and Gender-Diverse Persons and Essential Services at the Department of Home Affairs during Lockdown, 24 August 2020. An open letter to the Minister of Home Affairs Hon. P.A. Motsoaledi, The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa, the NCCC, and all representatives of the Department of Home Affairs by Iranti, Gender DynamiX, Triangle Project, Matimba, Trans Hope, Transgender and Intersex Africa (TIA), Same Love Toti, Be True 2 Me, Women’s Legal Centre (WLCE), Legal Resources Centre (LRC) and Access Chapter 2.
The Protection and Inclusion of LGBTQI+ Communities in COVID-19 Government Aid Programmes in South Africa, 20 July 2020. Statement by South African Political Leadership Learning Institute (PLLI) Alumni.
Victory for Jade September and the Transgender Community,
25 September 2019. Joint press release by Gender DynamiX, Iranti, Triangle Project, Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Resources Centre.
Justice System Continues to Fail David Olyne
Triangle Project 2016 statement, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
Triangle Sends Condolences Following Passing of Justice Skweyiya
ACDP Continues to Show Nauseating Intolerance
Slovo and Vavi to attend O’Regan-Pikoli Commission of Inquiry into SAPS Khayelitsha