The human rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) population is repeatedly violated in countries around the world. Discrimination, violence, and state-led persecution towards the LGBTIQ population takes a negative toll on development and will ultimately affect the outcome of SDG 10, reduced inequalities. In an African context, the needs of the LGBTIQ population often go unnoticed when not formally addressed and a lack of inclusion along with a discriminatory legal framework puts the LGBTIQ population at an increased risk of being left behind in the quest to achieve Agenda 2030.  Tanzania holds some of the highest punishments in the world for same-sex acts, with up to life imprisonment. This study is focused on challenges faced by the Tanzanian LGBTIQ group, perceived social inclusion, the current development of LGBTIQ rights, factors that affect this development, and how LGBTIQ rights can be improved. Through an abductive case study, this thesis draws on eighteen semi-structured interviews as its primary sources. It also employs current literature as secondary sources. To analyse the data Queer theory and a rights-based approach are employed to uncover structures that affect LGBTIQ inclusion. Findings suggest that LGBTIQ individuals are under immense societal pressure to conform to heteronormative gender roles to avoid discrimination. Further, LGBTIQ rights are found to be affected by political, cultural, religious, and generational factors. Findings also suggest that local context is important to consider in the process of making norms more favorable for LGBTIQ equality and inclusion. This thesis also highlights areas of improvement for LGBTIQ inclusion and equality in form of eradicating discriminatory laws, in line with SDG 10. As well as capacitating institutions to queer practices with a synergy of a bottom-up and top-down approach.

This paper seeks to understand how the communicative practices of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) that advocate for women’s and LGBTIQ+ rights in the Philippines evolve as they advance the interests of the subaltern. Through two case studies of CSOs working with women’s and LGBTIQ+ rights, respectively, it identifies and discusses the communicative practices, including new media and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), that were adopted as the CSOs managed their organisational priorities and finances and navigated the oppressed contexts of the subalterns that they represent. The findings from the two case studies affirm that communicative practices adopted by CSOs are determined by their organisational objectives, organisational structure, and finances. Moreover, new media and ICT, such as social media, have proven useful, affordable, and easily accessible tools for both CSOs to reach and engage with their respective audiences. With the formation of the CSOs informed by the struggles and experiences of the subalterns they represent, their actions and communicative practices put the subalterns at the centre. For the subalterns to speak, they require alternative spaces to be safe to air their concerns and strategise to engage the public sphere. This is a role that the CSOs, which act as subaltern counterpublics, play. This also helps prepare the CSOs to build alliances, opening spaces for dialogue and advocacy for social change. These all contribute to making the demands of the subaltern heard.