Although Haiti has faced instability throughout its history, the current situation of increased gang violence and political instability has crippled the country. LGBTQI+ people are particularly exposed to this violence. Fear and uncertainty have permeated the entire country, with violence reaching new records as gangs are tightening their grip on Port-au-Prince and beyond, spreading fear by sharing gruesome photos and videos of individuals being killed, tortured, LGBTQI+ persons being gang-raped or forced to have intercourse on social media. The mountain of evidence regarding human rights violations in Haiti is undeniable. There is little that has been done to secure these rights, and we cannot continue to disregard the enormity and the horrific nature of the death toll.

Foundation SEROvie, founded in 1999, is one of the only LGBTQI organizations working in Haiti. SEROvie pairs health promotion for the LGBTQI community with human rights advocacy and socioeconomic empowerment. Today, SEROvie works on numerous program interventions: health care and essential nutrition, quality education for the LGBTQI and their children, and household economic security benefiting 22,000 clients and their families in 36 communities.

Through these challenging times, SEROvie is continuously assessing the situation in the various areas in which they work across the country, and the problem is grave for most, leading to the forced reduction of services. SEROvie’s Drop-In Centers (DICs) have played an essential role as a safe haven. They are continuously working to deliver health and psychosocial services under horrific conditions.

At this historical moment in Haiti, SEROvie staff are still delivering lifesaving health and psychosocial services and are seeking funds to:

● Keep the Drop-In Centers up and running

● Provide assistance to LGBTQI+ internally displaced persons. Priority will go to the equitable provision of medical aid, distribution, and management of resources, such as safe and potable water, food and medical supplies, and financial aid.

● Ensure immediate access to adequate psychosocial and medical care to prevent further physical and psychological harm to the growing LGBTQI+ population victims of the current violence.

Please consider donating. The Rustin Fund will match your donations up to $5,000.