Uthingo Network

Uthingo Network, formerly known as the Gay and Lesbian Network, is a human rights organization located in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 2003 to provide safe spaces and support for LGBTQI+ individuals, especially those in rural areas, where discrimination, stigma, and anti-LGBTQI+ violence are prevalent. Since its inception, it has been the primary LGBTQI+ support entity in rural KwaZulu-Natal. 

Uthingo Network’s strategy involves fostering collaborative relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including local families, educational and health institutions, as well as traditional, religious, and political leaders. Together, they strive to construct a society that is inclusive, safe, equitable, and affirming of LGBTQI+ identities and expressions, ensuring that individuals can fully exercise their rights related to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC).