Promoting Empowerment Through Awareness for Lesbian/Bisexual women
PETAL’s work began in 2011 with a presentation and discussion on cervical cancer for lesbian and bisexual women. PETAL is the brainchild of founder and coordinator Simone Hill who, in 2003, observed that very little advocacy was being done for the women of the LGBT community. Her decision to do something about the gap in support slowly materialized in her work under UniBAM as the vice president to address some of the needs of the les/bi population.
Since that first discussion in 2011, Ms. Hill sought the support of resourceful women who could assist her in serving the les/bi population. The term ‘conversation’ was coined in 2012 after her encounter with Dr. Abigail McKay, a social activist, who agreed to support Ms. Hill in her advocacy endeavors. Conversations have become a critical component of PETAL’s work to foster social, economic and gender justice for women with a particular focus on lesbian and bisexual women.
Officially incorporated on December 29, 2015, as a legal body, a Not-For-Profit, Non-Governmental Organization. The founding directors served as a pro-tempore board consisting of a President - M. Simone Hill, Secretary - Ifáṣínà Efunyemi, Treasurer - Charrice Talbert and a technical adviser - Dr. Abigail McKay. With an engaged membership of over 60 women, PETAL held its first general membership meeting in December 2018 where the first Board of Directors was elected.
Mission
To achieve social, economic and gender justice for all women in Belize especially les/bi women through advocacy and empowerment.
Vision
PETAL is the leading Lesbian/Bisexual women’s organization in Belize enjoying social, economic and gender justice.
Founder
M. Simone Hill
PETAL is the brainchild of founder Marla Simone Hill who, in 2003, observed that very little advocacy was being done for the women in the LGBT community. Her exposure to LGBT empowerment in the United States broadened her ability to identify deficiencies in the lives of lesbian and bisexual women in Belize to live the best quality of life afforded under the constitution for every citizen in Belize. Doing something to address the identified issue slowly gained urgency in her efforts and later materialized in her work under the only then existing LGBT+ organization, UniBAM. As the vice president of UniBAM in2011 Ms. Hill got an opportunity to address some of the needs of the les/bi population.Since that first discussion in 2011, Ms. Hill sought the support of resourceful women who could assist her in serving the les/bi population.
The term ‘conversation’ was coined in 2012 after her encounter with a human rights defender and women’s empowerment social activist, who agreed to support Ms. Hill in her advocacy endeavors.
PETAL, like many legally constituted non-profit organizations in Belize, has a clear direction and focus with a mandate for its target group – lesbian and bisexual women. Its logo is a frangipani flower and bud encircled by the name, in multiple colors. The key colors of the organization are fuchsia pink and royal purple. Its motto is enshrined in its principal objective foster social, economic and gender justice.
Each committed ally, supporter and member engaged in the PETAL organization commits to safety and empowerment of the community of women in Belize with a specific focus on lesbian and bisexual women.
Notwithstanding it has a core group of allies as technical and professional support in addition to sponsors and volunteers, PETAL’s governance membership, including its board, is limited only to women who identify as lesbian or bisexual in their sexual orientation. Lesbian and bisexual women have full membership with voice, vote and opportunity to advance to the highest level of organizational leadership. Other women fully engage as supporters with a voice but no vote and a limit in their ability to advance for organizational leadership.
Officially incorporated in December 2015 as a legal body, the founding directors and supporting ally served as a functioning board consisting of a president, secretary, treasurer and technical adviser until 2018 when, with an engaged membership of over 60 women, PETAL held a general membership meeting and elected its first seven-member Board of Directors.
PETAL Board of Directors
Charrice Talbert
Melanie Trapp
Alicia Thompson
M. Simone Hill
Gilma Avila
Stephaney Rhaburn
Kanisha Palacio
Charrice Talbert
President
M. Simone Hill
Vice-President
Gerrydean Stewart
Secretary
Faith Cunningham
Treasurer
Gwendolyn Gentle
Director for Elders
Neurica Ogaldez
Director for Youth
Ifáṣínà Efunyemi
Director
Leadership, Care & Technical Expertise
PETAL’s work is strengthened by professionals who bring expertise in mental health, human rights advocacy, and digital safety. Their leadership supports our mission to create safe, empowering spaces for lesbian and bisexual women in Belize.
Therapeutic Support
Ms. Jannine Longsworth
Therapist & Community Mental Health Advocate
For over a decade, Ms. Jannine Longsworth has been deeply committed to community service through her work with PETAL (Providing Empowerment Through Awareness for Les/Bi Women).
Her sustained involvement reflects a long-standing passion for advancing the wellbeing, dignity, and empowerment of lesbian and bisexual women.
She has contributed to mental health awareness initiatives, emotional support programmes, capacity-building sessions, and the creation of safe, affirming spaces where women are encouraged
to heal, lead, and thrive.
Her work is rooted in the belief that mental wellness, visibility, and access to supportive resources are essential to personal and collective growth. She is especially committed to addressing stigma surrounding mental health and sexuality, fostering environments where women feel seen, valued, and empowered to advocate for themselves and their communities.
Technical & Strategic Advisory
Brindaalakshmi K
Technical Advisor | Gender, Sexuality & Digital Rights Specialist
Brindaalakshmi K is a queer-feminist journalist, researcher, and advocacy professional specialising in gender, sexuality, human rights, and technology. They have collaborated with more than 45 organisations across 10 countries in Asia, Europe, and the Americas on LGBTIQA+ rights initiatives.
They designed and led the South Asia edition of Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice’s CommsLab capacity strengthening programme, delivering digital security and legal policy workshops to over 150 LGBTI+ activists across two project cycles.
Brindaa has authored major qualitative research studies on gender and development data in India, including work supported by the Association for Progressive Communications and the Centre for Internet & Society. A Safe Sister Fellow and digital security trainer, they currently serve on the Advisory Council of the Society of Gender Professionals.
