Mira Ben Saleh, Tunisian queer feminist activist

Mira has proven that challenges can become a catalyst for change, and that the struggle for recognition and equality knows no bounds.

Myra Ben Saleh is a Tunisian feminist activist and campaigner. She has faced enormous challenges in her journey as a transgender rights advocate in Tunisia. Myra Ben Saleh's journey has not been easy, as she has been marginalized and rejected by the community around her, as gender transitioning remains a taboo subject in Tunisia and many Arab countries. But Myra has not let these difficulties deter her from her goal of supporting and raising community awareness about issues of gender transition, sexual orientation, and human rights in general.

Despite the social and legal risks she has faced and continues to face, including legal prosecution due to her identity, as well as the hate campaigns, harassment, and incitement to violence directly targeting her, Mira has managed to become a powerful voice for the trans community in Tunisia and the North African region. Through her activism and awareness campaigns, Mira has helped change prevailing societal perceptions and opened an important discussion about the need to recognize the rights of transgender people and protect them from discrimination.

Mira Ben Saleh says:

Many have tried to break my determination and will to defend human rights and our rights as transgender people, gay men and lesbians++, but I will not submit to their hatred and harassment.

We must all support each other in the queer community and movement, because only together, as one bloc, can we fight and resist discrimination, persecution and hatred against us.