We are a collective of queer psychologists, researchers, and advocates committed to advancing LGBTQIA+ mental health, rights, and justice in South Africa and beyond. Rooted in lived experience and professional expertise, we work across clinical, academic, and community spaces to resist pathologisation, promote affirmative practices, and build inclusive, ethical systems of care. Together, we’re reimagining psychology through a lens of liberation and accountability.
Juan A Nel (he/him) holds a doctorate, is a registered clinical and research psychologist, and full professor of Psychology at the University of South Africa (UNISA). As a National Research Foundation (NRF) B-rated researcher, and an elected member of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), he is internationally recognised in LGBTQIA+ mental health and wellbeing, hate victimisation, and victim empowerment and support, more generally. A former president of the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) (2014–2015), Juan is a member of its Council, founder member of the executive committee of the PsySSA Sexuality and Gender Division (SGD), and representative of PsySSA on (inter)national structures towards furthering its profile as a learned society. In this regard, most noteworthy are his roles as leader of the research sub-committee of the South African Hate Crimes Working Group; co-representative on the International Psychology Network for LGBTI Issues (IPsyNet); and leader of the PsySSA SGD African LGBTQIA+ Human Rights Project towards promoting wellbeing and human rights for LGBTQIA+ persons in Africa.
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9013- 5563
Suntosh R Pillay (he/him) is the chief clinical psychologist for the eThekwini and iLembe districts in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. He has over 15 years of experience working in public healthcare, mostly at King Dinuzulu Hospital Complex in Durban, as a psychotherapist, supervisor and researcher. He has a research affiliation to both the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and the Department of Psychology at the University of South Africa. He is an associate editor for Psychology in Society (PINS) and the South African Journal of Psychology (SAJP), and has been widely published in local and international journals. He has been featured in two local documentaries on LGBTQ+ issues: When the Rainbow is bittersweet (2022) and the Reimagine Freedom series (2025).
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6013- 9966
Nkanyiso Madlala (he/him) is a clinical psychologist working for Discovery Limited. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology (summa cum laude); an honours degree (cum laude); a master’s in Social Sciences (Clinical Psychology) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal; and a doctorate from UNISA. He is a member of the PsySSA SGD executive committee, Professional Association for Transgender Health South Africa (PATHSA), and the PsySSA SGD African LGBTQIA+ Human Rights Project. Nkanyiso was involved in the development of the gender affirming healthcare guidelines by the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society. Previously employed by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), he has been extensively involved in the training of correctional services personnel on affirmative practices in the management of LGBTQI+ offenders. He has also provided training for psychologists and social workers (Gauteng region, DCS), and psychologists (Gauteng region, Department of Social Development; and Southern East Rand district, Department of Heath) on affirmative practices and ethical considerations when working with LGBTQIA+ clients and/or patients.
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002- 1622-9710
Thembisile Dlamini (she/her) is a clinical psychologist who has recently completed her internship at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital and is about to embark on her Community Service year. She also recently completed her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology (cum laude) at UNISA. After a 14-year career in finance, she transitioned to psychology, driven by her passion for mental health and the desire to have a meaningful influence. Thembisile holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology, both from UNISA. A proud alumnus of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI), she earned a Certificate in Public Management in 2017, honing her leadership skills. She now blends these skills with a culturally sensitive, affirmative approach to therapy, committed to promoting mental wellbeing and addressing systemic barriers to care. Thembisile is passionate about advocating for LGBTQIA+ individuals, women, and children, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds who face barriers to mental health care. She is committed to providing affirmative support to empower these vulnerable populations. Driven by a strong sense of social justice, Thembisile creates safe, equitable spaces for healing and resilience, helping clients overcome systemic challenges. She is a member of PsySSA SGD executive committee, and the PsySSA SGD African LGBTQIA+ Human Rights Project.
Cornelius (Niel) Victor (he/him) is a clinical and research psychologist in Cape Town, with a PhD in Psychology from the UNISA and master’s degrees in Clinical and Research Psychology. After a 20-year career in market research and recovering from cancer in 2010, Niel moved to Clinical Psychology. He provides psychotherapy in his private practice and is part of a multi-disciplinary team at several clinics. His work in LGBTQIA+ psychology includes academic publications, guest lectures, and facilitating training courses. Niel has been a member of the PsySSA SGD and African LGBTQIA+ Human Rights Project since its inception in 2012, and co-led the development of the original PsySSA practice guidelines for working with sexually and gender-diverse persons. His PhD was on South African psychologists’ competence in practising affirmatively with sexually diverse people. He is a member of PATHSA.
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002- 0919-1937
Chris McLachlan (he/him/they/them) holds three master’s degrees and has completed his PhD at the UNISA. Chris is a clinical psychologist and expert in gender-affirming healthcare. With a focus on supporting survivors of sexual offences and gender-based violence, Chris works at the Thuthuzela Care Centre in KwaZulu-Natal while also managing a private practice dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community. Chris holds various leadership roles, including being the first African board member and incoming secretary of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH); co-chair of the WHO’s Guideline Development Group on transgender and gender-diverse health; and co-representative on the IPsyNET. Within South Africa, Chris chairs the PATHSA and the PsySSA SGD. Chris was the co-chair of the team that developed the first gender-affirming healthcare guideline for South Africa, and has contributed to the Standards of Care 8 of WPATH. Chris is an ordained minister in the Reforming Church, and the parent of two wonderful tweens.
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6277- 339X
Sakhile Msweli (he/him) holds a doctoral degree in Psychology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). He is a registered clinical psychologist. He was trained for his clinical master’s at The Nelson Mandela University. He also holds a master’s in research psychology (UKZN). He started working in the area of gender, sexuality and sexual health as a Research Psychologist at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). He is a founding and board member of the PATHSA and a member of the PsySSA SGD African LGBTQIA+ Human Rights Project. His research interests involve navigations of sexual identities within the presence of homophobia in rural SA contexts; how men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) maintain long-term relationships, paying special attention to issues involving trust and sexual safety within these relationships. As a clinician, Sakhile has also done some work in gender-affirming healthcare for trans persons, with Wits Research Institute, and the East London trans clinic. He has also provided mental healthcare services to persons in the LGBTQIA+ community. Sakhile is currently working for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health at Ngwelezana Hospital, where he continues to provide a range of psychological services within this clinical setting. He continually provides gender and sexuality sensitisations and has remained vocal about tailored healthcare services for queer persons within his rural context.
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002- 3396-2316
Zindi Venter (she/her) is a postgraduate assistant (PGA) in the Department of Psychology at the UNISA. She actively supports the ‘Towards LGBT Health and Wellbeing’ project, led by Prof. JA Nel, and is a key member of the organising committee for the International Network of Hate Studies conference which took place in November 2024. As a PGA, she manages administrative tasks, including planning, coordination, and budgeting, while contributing to research, teaching, and learning efforts. Zindi earned her Master of Arts in Psychology with distinction (cum laude), and is currently pursuing her PhD, focusing on SA citizens’ experiences with plant-based foods. Her research interests include health psychology, social norms, and attitudes, with an aim to raise awareness of how these factors influence behavioural intentions, especially in relation to food choices.
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002- 4077-986X
Jenna-Lee de Beer-Procter (they/them) is a Cape Town-based clinical psychologist, researcher and advocate working at the intersection of mental health, gender diversity, and disability justice. They run a LGBTQIA-exclusive psychotherapy practice, and have experience across the public health system and NGO sector, including work with intellectual and developmental disability services and gender-based violence programmes. Jenna-Lee previously worked at the Wits RHI integrative healthcare clinic in Bellville and contributed to the Southern African HIV Clinicians’ Society gender-affirming healthcare guidelines. They are co-authors of two recently launched resources: the Toolkit for Mental Health Providers Working with Survivors of Conversion Practices in Africa and the Practice Guidelines for Psychology Professionals: Working with Sexually and Gender-Diverse People (2nd Edition, 2025). Jenna-Lee serves as Vice-Chair of PATHSA, is a member the PsySSA SGD and its African LGBTQIA+ Human Rights Project, and co-chairs the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)’s International Diversification. They are currently pursuing a PhD at Stellenbosch University on gender diversity and suicidality.
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002- 9535-7605