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Chantell Fortuin

Botswana She/Her 2023 Cohort

Chantell is a black lesbian from Botswana who identifies as an African womanist theologian. She is extremely passionate about theology as a field of study and a way of life. Her particular areas of interest are how it relates to or intersects with spirituality, sexuality, gender, and monetary statuary.

Comprehensive pleasure-based SRHR programs in the context of religious teachings
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Chantell Fortuin, hailing from Botswana, is a dedicated, practical African lesbian feminist theologian with almost a decade of experience in organizing in the intersectionality of human rights, sexuality, gender, and faith/spirituality.

Chantell and the Pleasure Fellowship

Chantell engaged in dialogues with clergy and church auxiliaries on the topic of sexual pleasure, using sexual and reproductive health as the entry point. The focus centered on the pleasure principle: encouraging self-love and a commitment to continuous learning. Often, it was the church that extended invitations to hold these conversations, primarily aimed at engaging with youth on these important issues.

What they’re up to now

Chantell is engaging with parents and religious leaders to co-create affirming advocacy tools that strengthen their efforts as allies in countering the anti-rights movement—particularly in contexts where religion is used to advance such rhetoric.

Highlights

  • 2024: ordained into ministry and appointed to a church

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Comprehensive pleasure-based SRHR programs in the context of religious teachings

Chantell plans to develop and implement comprehensive SRHR programs encompassing pleasure as a core component addressed to religious leaders.

The project's goal was to address the disconnect between faith and sexual pleasure, as well as reproductive issues, within the Christian faith. This disconnect exists because of deeply ingrained religious doctrines and beliefs that often view sexual pleasure and reproductive matters as sinful or immoral. This project brought together elders and clergy personnel to have dialogues within the church on this topic. This resulted in a training regarding sexual harassment for clergy and continued dialogue with church auxiliaries.

Being a fellow has broaden my imagination and knowledge on sexual pleasure and the different ways in which we can speak about pleasure that suits the context

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