Secret Garden is a foundation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Muslims. Established in Amsterdam, Secret Garden has been set up in December 1994, with the intention to reach and bring together young Muslims who are transgender, or have homosexual or bisexual feelings.

The idea of bringing them in contact is to stand up for their rights. For that purpose Secret Garden has organised several activities in the COC building in the centre of Amsterdam for seven years. In December 2008 Secret Garden has set up an independent foundation. .

 

TARGET GROUP
 

Secret Garden aims to open up the discussion within the society and in particular within the Muslim community concerning LGBT. Secret Garden focuses on reaching LGBT Muslims and the Muslim community in general.  Secret Garden aims to open up the discussion within the society and in particular within the Muslim community concerning LGBT. Secret Garden focuses on reaching LGBT Muslims and the Muslim community in general.

 

GOALS

 


 

Organising meetings for LGBT Muslims to enhance the (self) acceptance of this group. These meetings can be educational but we also aim to discuss and approach LGBT topics in a creative manner.   


 

Providing anonymous healthcare and inform and help individual visitors from this target group about mental and physical healthcare.


 

Secret Garden wants to put sexuality and diversity on the agenda and contribute to the public debate by the taboo on sexual diversity within the migrant communities.


 

 Cooperation with other civil society movements and international organisations to improve the rights of LGBT.  


 

Secret Garden wants to develop its organisation into a durable foundation by enhancing the expertise of the board members and the volunteers

 

 
 

   

 

 

 

OPEN DISCUSSION GROUP
 

Secret Garden organises approximately four important discussion evenings per year. Every discussion evening will have a certain topic and the visitors will be able to discuss with each other and with guest speakers.
 

CONSULTING HOUR
 
Secret Garden offers information to anyone who wants to know more about the LGBT community, social hulp, LGBT asylum seekers and more . For information you can contact us
 

COURSES
 

.-Dutch Courses

-House work accompaniment

-Computer Courses IT & ICT       

-Talent development courses.
 

HIV-AIDS en STD´s PREVENTION
 

Prevention and information about HIV/AIDS and sexually transmissible diseases; organising meetings concerning safe sex and distributing condoms..
 
RELIEF AND ACCOMPANIMENT POSSIBILITIES
 

 If you discover that you have feelings for someone of the same sex, it can be a life changing moment. On one hand it is a good thing to discover your feelings, on the other hand this ‘coming out’ can also result in stress. Because homosexuality among Muslim cultures is still a taboo. It could be that your family will not be supportive; this can lead to situations where you can be rejected by your family. If you need to talk about this subject with someone or if you are in need of shelter, you can contact us (here). Als u ontdekt dat u gevoelens heeft voor iemand van hetzelfde geslacht, dan kan dat u leven veranderen. Mooie gevoelens, maar ook spannende, want homoseksualiteit en moslims culture is nog steeds een groot taboe en als uw familie er achter komt, dan wordt u op straat gezet en misschien loopt u meer risico's. Als u hierover met iemand wilt praten of een onderdak nodig heeft, dan kunt u gerust contact met ons opnemen. (zie contact)
 

MULTICULTURAL MEETING EVENINGS
 

Secret Garden organises events in a multicultural environment. We have music from different Islamic countries and World Music. During these meetings, special attention is given to the activities of Secret Garden. This could be information concerning office hours, concerning AIDS/STD prevention and other activities.

These evenings offer moreover and excellent possibility for folder distribution, free condoms and information about safe sex. These meetings are accessible for everyone, women, men, transgender, their family members and friends