Alex Shah elected to TGEU Executive Board, pledges to champion trans communities from Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus

Trans rights activist Alex Shah has been elected as an Executive Board Member of Transgender Europe (TGEU) for the 2025–2027 term. Elected by the General Assembly with votes from over 200 member organizations across 50 countries, Alex will represent communities from Europe and Central Asia — with a special focus on the underrepresented voices of the South Caucasus.

Speaking to Minority Azerbaijan, Alex emphasized that their candidacy was rooted in addressing the lack of representation for young people from the South Caucasus in global decision-making spaces:

“One of my main points was that young people from the South Caucasus lack representation on global decision making. When I presented myself in the General Assembly, I mentioned that Azerbaijani trans people deserve better life standards, healthcare, and legal representation. That’s why I am standing here — for those who cannot.”

Alex underlined that TGEU’s strategies must remain intersectional, diverse, and inclusive. They committed to using their new role to publicly advocate for the rights and wellbeing of Azerbaijani trans people at international human rights mechanisms, while also building the capacity and stability of local trans organizations in Azerbaijan.

“TGEU is interested in empowering trans individuals, which the Azerbaijani trans+ community is in need of. I also want to highlight that minor trans people are the most vulnerable and under attack now — this is an issue I want to work on across the region.”

Alex Shah

In their message to the Azerbaijani trans+ community, Alex stressed that they deserve better laws, social justice, and equal representation in every aspect of life:

“Azerbaijani trans+ community should know that they deserve better laws, social justice, and the same representation in every pillar of life that non-trans people already have.”

With this historic election, Alex Shah Nur brings the struggles and resilience of Azerbaijani trans communities into the heart of international trans advocacy, aiming to strengthen both regional and global solidarity.

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