Arcoiris Timor-Leste

03/07/2025

30/06/2025

🌈 Happy Pride from one of the most biodiverse waters in the world. Where every color, current, and creature reminds us that diversity is strength. 🐠🌊💖

Octávio Maumeta

30/06/2025

[English]
Next on the list of our 2025 Honorary Patrons is Rui Madeira de Carvalho — a visionary Timorese designer and a quiet force for dignity, identity, and change.

Rui studied Arts in Bandung, Indonesia, and taught himself how to sew. After returning to Timor-Leste, he began creating accessories and garments using tais, our country’s iconic handwoven fabric. What began as a creative side project turned into Rui Collection in 2013 — a fashion label that reimagined tais into stunning couture, footwear, and accessories, rooted in heritage and driven by innovation.

Before launching his fashion career, Rui worked with the ISEAN-Hivos program, supporting q***r communities in Timor-Leste through access to sexual health services and rights-based education. His work helped create safer, more informed spaces for LGBTIQ+ people — long before Pride was visible in our streets.

Until his passing, Rui continued to weave impact into every thread. He sourced tais from rural women’s weaving groups, supporting more than 30 women across the country and offering training to ensure quality and authenticity. Though he faced early resistance for transforming tais beyond its traditional uses, his resilience and artistry changed minds — and today, 80% of his clientele are Timorese.

As an openly q***r man, Rui stood at the powerful intersection of tradition and transformation. His story is one of bold expression, quiet resistance, and unapologetic pride. He showed us that q***rness and culture are not opposites — they are threads in the same fabric.

This year, under the theme of Resilience, we honour Rui for his unwavering commitment to community, creativity, and living truthfully in the face of silence.

************

[Tetum]
Tuir mai iha lista hosi ami nia Padroeiru sira 2025 nian maka Rui Madeira de Carvalho — dezeñadór timoroan vizionáriu ida no forsa ida ba dignidade, identidade, no mudansa.

Rui estuda Arte iha Bandung, Indonézia, no hanorin nia-an oinsá atu suku roupa. Hafoin fila mai Timor-Leste, nia hahú kria asesóriu no vestuáriu sira uza tais. Saida maka hahú hanesan projetu sekundáriu kriativu ida nakfilak ba Kolesaun Rui iha 2013 — marka fashion nian ne'ebé imajina tais ba iha moda, sapatu no asesóriu sira ne'ebé furak, ho abut iha eransa no motiva hosi inovasaun.

Molok lansa nia kareira moda nian, Rui servisu hamutuk ho programa ISEAN-Hivos, suporta komunidade q***r sira iha Timor-Leste liuhosi asesu ba servisu saúde seksuál no edukasaun bazeia ba direitu. Nia serbisu ajuda kria espasu sira ne'ebé seguru liu, no informadu liu ba ema LGBTIQ+ sira — antes Pride sai vizivel iha ita nia dalan sira.

To'o nia mate, Rui kontinua inkorpora impaktu iha nia servisu hotu-hotu. Nia hetan tais hosi grupu feto rurál sira ne'ebé soru, hodi apoia feto liu 30 iha nasaun tomak no oferese formasaun hodi garante kualidade no autentisidade. Maski nia hasoru rezisténsia iha inísiu tanba transforma tais liu fali nia uzu tradisionál sira, nia reziliénsia no arte muda ema nia hanoin — no ohin loron, 80% hosi nia kliente maka Timor-oan.

Nu'udar ema ida ne'ebé nakloke, Rui hamriik iha intersesaun entre tradisaun no transformasaun. Ninia istória maka ida ho espresaun, rezisténsia, no orgullu. Nia hatudu mai ita katak q***rness no kultura la'ós opostu — sira bele koezisti.

Tinan ida-ne'e, ho tema Reziliénsia, ami fó onra ba Maun Rui tanba nia kompromisu metin ba komunidade, kriatividade, no moris ho lia-loos iha silénsiu nia oin.

30/06/2025

[English]
Last on the list of our 2025 Honorary Patrons is Grivaldo de Jesus Loudoe, known to many simply as Aldo, a young Timorese soul whose courage continues to move and inspire us.

Aldo was only 19 when he left us, but in his short life, he embodied the deepest form of resilience: daring to live openly as q***r in the face of rejection, violence, and isolation. He came out to his family at 18, knowing it could cost him everything. But Aldo still chose truth over silence.

He was driven from his home and twice tried to end his life before finding refuge in the arms of allies—friends and chosen family. Despite everything, Aldo stood tall at the 2023 Pride March, smiling brightly as he walked for the first time as his full self. It was a moment of visibility and strength, a reminder that hope still blooms even through pain.

Aldo dreamed of a world where no one would have to beg for dignity, where being LGBTIQ+ did not mean being alone. His final message to others like him was simple: “Have strength and courage. Do not stay silent.”

His death, by su***de in June 2024, during Pride Month, shook our community to its core. But we refuse to let his story fade into silence. We honour Aldo as a symbol of our struggle, our resistance, and our love. He was not weak, he was strong in the face of cruelty. He was not alone, he is with all of us now.

This year, as we march under the theme of Resilience, we carry Aldo’s memory in every step, every flag raised, every voice shouting “We are equal!” May his story fuel change. May his name never be forgotten.

Rest in power, Aldo. We march for you.

*********

[Tetum]
Iku’s liu iha lista ami-nia Padroeiru 2025 nian mak Grivaldo de Jesus Loudoe, ne’ebé ema barak koñese simplesmente ho naran Aldo, joven timoroan ida ne’ebé nia aten-barani kontinua inspira ita.

Aldo iha de'it tinan 19 bainhira nia husik ami, maibé iha nia moris badak, nia enkarna forma reziliénsia ne'ebé klean liu: brani atu moris nakloke hanesan q***r hasoru rejeisaun, violénsia no izolamentu. Nia nakloke an ba nia família ho tinan 18, hatene katak ida-ne'e bele halo nia lakon buat hotu. Maibé Aldo nafatin hili lia-loos duké silénsiu.

Nia koko atu hakotu nia moris molok hetan refújiu iha aliadu sira nia le’et—belun sira no família ne'ebé nia hili. Maski ho buat hotu, Aldo hamriik ho firme iha Pride March 2023, hamnasa nabilan bainhira nia la'o ba dala uluk hanesan nia an rasik. Ida-ne'e maka momentu ida vizibilidade no forsa nian, lembransa ida katak esperansa buras nafatin maski iha susar.

Aldo mehi ba mundu ida ne'ebé laiha ema ida maka husu dignidade, iha ne'ebé sai LGBTIQ+ la signifika mesak. Ninia mensajen ikus ba ema seluk hanesan nia mak simples: “Iha forsa no aten-barani, keta nonook deʼit.”

Nia mate, tanba oho-an iha Juñu 2024, durante Fulan Pride nian, halo ami nia komunidade nakdoko. Maibé ami lakohi husik nia istória sai nonook. Ita fó onra ba Aldo nu’udar símbolu ba ita-nia luta, ita-nia rezisténsia, no ita-nia domin. Nia la fraku, nia forte hasoru krueldade. Nia la mesak, nia hamutuk ho ita hotu agora.

Tinan ida-ne'e, bainhira ita marxa ho tema Reziliénsia, ita lori Aldo nia memória iha pasu ida-idak, bandeira ida-idak ne'ebé hasa'e, lian ida-idak ne'ebé hakilar "Ita hanesan!" Karik nia istória bele hamosu mudansa. Atu nia naran nunka haluha.

Deskansa ho dame, Aldo. Ami marxa ba ita-boot.

30/06/2025

[English]
Second on the list of Honorary Patrons for Timor-Leste Pride 2025, T**i Irawati Supardi embodied the very meaning of resilience—in voice, in vision, and in solidarity.

A fearless Indonesian journalist and activist, T**i began her struggle under Suharto’s authoritarian regime, organizing student protests and co-founding the Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (AJI) to defend press freedom. Her unwavering pursuit of truth led her to Timor-Leste, where in 1999 she stood shoulder to shoulder with the Timorese people during the violent referendum period. Refusing to flee militia attacks, she remained at the HAK Association office as Dili burned, choosing solidarity over safety.

T**i later made Timor-Leste her home, helping to establish Asosiasaun Jornalista Timor Lorosa’e (AJTL) and mentoring a new generation of journalists and human rights defenders. Her commitment never wavered, from amplifying the voices of women and rural communities, to standing with LGBTIQ+ people and political prisoners.

In 2016, the state recognized her lifelong contributions by awarding her the Order of Timor-Leste. But her true legacy lies in the resilience she inspired, in her defiant courage, quiet strength, and refusal to be silent in the face of injustice.

As we celebrate Pride 2025 under the banner of resilience, we proudly name T**i Irawati Supardi as an Honorary Patron of Timor-Leste Pride. Her life reminds us that resilience is not just survival—it’s standing up for one another, again and again, even when it’s hard.

*********

[Tetum]
Segundu iha lista Padroeiru sira ba Timor-Leste Pride 2025, T**i Irawati Supardi reprezenta signifikadu sira hosi reziliénsia—iha lian, iha vizaun, no iha solidariedade.

Jornalista no ativista Indonézia ida ne'ebé la tauk, T**i hahú nia luta iha Suharto nia rejime autoritáriu, organiza protestu estudante sira no ko-funda Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (AJI) hodi defende liberdade imprensa. Nia mai Timor-Leste hodi buka no defende lia-loos, iha ne’ebé iha tinan 1999 nia hamriik ho povu Timor durante períodu referendu. Rekuza atu halai hosi atake milísia nian, nia hela nafatin iha eskritóriu Asosiasaun HAK nian bainhira Dili ema sunu, hili solidariedade duké seguransa.

T**i halo Timor-Leste sai nu’udar uma, hodi ajuda harii Asosiasaun Jornalista Timor Lorosa’e (AJTL) no akonsella jerasaun foun jornalista no defensór direitus umanus nian. Ninia kompromisu nunka nakdoko, hosi hasa'e lian sira hosi feto sira no komunidade rurál sira, hodi hamriik hamutuk ho ema LGBTIQ+ sira no dadur polítiku sira.

Iha tinan 2016, estadu rekoñese nia kontribuisaun durante moris tomak hodi kondekora nia ho Orden Timor-Leste. Maibé nia legadu loloos maka iha reziliénsia ne'ebé nia inspira, iha nia aten-barani ne'ebé maka'as, forsa ne'ebé hakmatek, no rekuza atu nonook hasoru injustisa.

Enkuantu ita selebra Pride 2025 iha bandeira reziliénsia nia okos, ita ho orgullu hanaran T**i Irawati Supardi nu’udar Padroeira Pride Timor-Leste nian. Nia moris fó hanoin mai ita katak reziliénsia la'ós de'it sobrevivénsia, maibe hamriik ba malu, beibeik, maski iha susar nia laran.

25/06/2025

10/09/2024

Ho Sua Santidade Papa Francisco nia vizita mai iha ita nia rai doben Timor-Leste, ami nakonu ho orgullu ba buat hotu ne'ebé Arcoiris Timor-Leste konsege realiza ona. Ami-nia membru LGBTI sira ne'ebé iha talentu la'ós de'it iha sira-nia profisaun, maibé sira mós hala'o papél espesiál iha okaziaun istórika ida-ne'e.

Ami sente orgullu tebes tanba ami-nia membru ida-ne'ebé agora sai nu'udar jardineiru kualifikadu iha Palasiu Prezidensial Timor-Leste, Maun Kulthy, no ida seluk hetan mos pozisaun no kualidade hanesan iha Nunsiatura Apostolika- Embaixada Vatikanu nian iha Timor-Leste, Maun Iku Costa Soares. Susesu hirak-ne'e reflete dedikasaun, pasiénsia, no serbisu maka'as iha komunidade ida ne'e nian.

Aleinde ne'e, ekipa Arcoiris fo sira-nia nia fuan no neon tomak to halo jardín no lanscaping iha Nunsiatura Apostolika hodi kria ambiente ida-ne'ebé hakmatek no furak tebes hodi simu Sua Santidade Papa Francisco durante nia vizita. Sira-nia kompromisu no fuan ba iha projetu ida-ne'e hanesan reflesaun loloos ba valór sira ne'ebé sira tane'e aas nu'udar komunidade.

Ne'e mak buat ne'ebé Arcoiris prodús ona, no ami sente orgullu tebes ho ami nia membru hotu. Hamutuk, ita hatudu ba mundu katak ho domin no unidade, ita bele atinje buat bo'ot no di'ak liu. Obrigadu ba maluk sira hotu ne'ebé kontribui ona ba vitoria bo'ot ida-ne'e.

Ho orgullu no agradesimentu klean,
Arcoiris Timor

[ENG]
As Pope Francis visits our beautiful country Timor-Leste, we are filled with immense pride for what Arcoiris Timor-Leste has accomplished. Our talented LGBTI members have not only excelled in their professions but have also played a special role in this historic occasion.

We are proud to highlight that one of our members is now a qualified gardening staff at the Presidential Palace of Timor-Leste, Maun Kulthy and another has earned a position as a skilled gardener at the Apostolic Nunciature of the Vatican City here in Timor-Leste, Maun Iku Costa Soares. These achievements reflect the dedication, passion, and hard work of our community.

In addition, the Arcoiris team poured their heart and soul into the garden and landscaping of the Apostolic Nunciature, creating a serene and welcoming environment that has warmly received Pope Francis during his visit. Their commitment and heart in this project are a true reflection of the values we uphold as a community.

This is what Arcoiris has produced, and we couldn’t be more proud of each and every member. Together, we are showing the world that with love and unity, we can achieve excellence. Thank you to all who have contributed to this incredible milestone.

With pride and gratitude,

Arcoiris Timor-Arcoiris Timor-Leste

21/08/2024

Arcoiris Timor Leste presiza konsultór ida ba Foto Esbosu membru komunidade LGBTIQ

Tanba ita hatene katak ema balu gosta hakerek istória, ema seluk hatene liu kona-ba imajen. Ho ezame fotografia, ita bele konta istória ida sein hakerek liafuan ida. Ita uza kompozisaun, kontráriu, kór, no perspetiva iha fotografia sei fó sai ideia no fó sai emosaun. Istória sira-ne'e importante tebes ba ita hotu atu fahe istória sira kona-ba komunidade LGBTIQ, sira-nia moris, sira-nia luta no sira-nia susesu. Objetivu mak atu kria konsiénsia kona-ba LGBTIQ nia moris no sira-nia ezisténsia. Ami buka profisionál ida-ne'ebé sensivel ba komunidade LGBTIQ no prontu atu kria ezame foto 10. Konsultór ne'e sei iha loron 12-15 atu prodús nia servisu finál no haruka ba organizasaun.

Ezemplu balu husi tópiku esbosu phot ne'ebé ita hakarak inklui:
* Loron iha moris
* Foto la'o
* Tradús
* Akontesimentu iha ita-nia moris
* Familia
* Edukasaun
* Iha serbisu-fatin
Kandidatu sira ne'ebé iha interese bele kontaktu diretamente ho Arcoiris Timor Leste.