Natalino Ornai Guterres

Timor Leste

Natalino Soares Ornai Guterres is a youth activist and politician advocating for the human rights of vulnerable and marginalized people in Timor-Leste, including people of gender and sexual minorities. He co-founded MAC – Crianças Unidas, a youth-led organization campaigning to end violence against children and gender-based violence in the country. He also co-founded Hatutan, a youth group advocating for social inclusion in Timor-Leste. In 2017, under Guterres’ leadership, Hatutan organized Timor-Leste’s first LGBTIQ+ Pride march and has since organized Pride every year to promote an inclusive society.

Guterres holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies and a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Economic Development. He is currently serving as President of the Board of Fundasaun CODIVA, an umbrella network of local LGBTIQ+ organizations. In the 2023 parliamentary election, Guterres became the first openly queer person in Timor-Leste to be on the list of candidates for parliament, proposed by the historic FRETILIN party. He also worked as Social Inclusion Adviser and Coordinator for the Revision of Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development Plan, led by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Planning and Territory.