Nafas LGBTI Azerbaijan Alliance is a non-political, non-commercial, voluntarily self-governing grassroots collective dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of the LGBTI+ community in Azerbaijan.

Our journey began on a winter night in 2012, when everything that stood as bearable, such as norms, settings, and surroundings, all became unbearable for two queers living in Sumqayit. Now, we are a collective united under the rainbow dreaming of an Azerbaijan where every LGBTIQ+ feels free, equal, and safe.

Vision

Our vision reflects our unwavering commitment to the principle of expansion over inclusion, envisioning a fair and equal society built on differences and embracing diversity. We aspire to live in a society that is just and fair to all, where:
- People's sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions do not lead to violence or other forms of aggression.
- Everyone, including LGBTI+ people, participates in the economic, cultural, and political life of society by living in free and dignified living conditions.

Mission

To achieve social justice and true equality, legal changes alone are not enough. For this to happen, a fundamental change in society’s approach is needed. Yes, this change takes time, and our mission is to facilitate that change by working to break deep-rooted prejudices and harmful practices in the social, economic, political, and cultural life of society. ensuring their inclusion in all aspects of society, with particular attention to those who are marginalized and under-represented within the community.

 

What We Do

Critical Components of Our Work

Community-Building and Empowerment

Nafas believes in the power of a united and empowered community. Therefore, contributing to dynamic community building and its sustainability are key components of our work on this path we set out for social justice and equal rights. We support our community members who want to make a difference by creating various capacity-building opportunities to increase their engagement and expertise. We create safe spaces founded on mutual respect and understanding, where the community can come together, freely express their identities, share experiences, and find companionship, thereby strengthening the sense of belonging and unity.

Awareness-Raising and Visibility

We acknowledge the transformative power of lived experiences and personal stories of LGBTI+s and their ability to shift perspectives and foster empathy. As a cornerstone of our awareness-raising strategy, we believe that making the experiences of LGBTI+s visible plays an important role in breaking deep-rooted prejudices in the social, economic, political, and cultural spheres of society. By utilizing different platforms and creative methods, we strive to make LGBTI+ experiences visible and heard. Our efforts include organizing community gatherings, public events, panel discussions, and cultural activities (such as exhibitions and film screenings), as well as creating audio, visual, and written content (including podcasts, articles, and videos).

Advocacy

By addressing the realities of LGBTI+s in Azerbaijan, we challenge laws and practices that lead to discrimination against our community and advocate for the recognition and protection of our rights. Our advocacy efforts primarily include organizing campaigns, preparing reports and publications, and establishing legal precedents. Moreover, we actively participate in regional and global advocacy spaces. Through these efforts, we inform relevant decision-making processes and the wider public, including working with local civil society organizations, as well as with regional and international human rights organizations, to amplify the impact of our advocacy efforts.

We believe that informed action is effective action. Therefore, we utilize various tools to understand the lived experiences, challenges, and needs of the LGBTI+ community in Azerbaijan, tailoring our programs and advocacy efforts to address the most pressing issues facing our community. This approach ensures not only the relevance and efficacy of our activities but also demonstrates the care we take in meeting the needs of the community we represent.