LGBTQ+ Activism in West Africa

Happy Pride Month! This month, we're taking some time to recognize the intersection between the climate and LGBTQ+ rights movements. First, we're talking about activists and organizations that have been historically been underrepresented: those in West Africa. 

---

West African LGBTQ+ activists are underrepresented in the news and the global community. But many organizations have made incredible progress in this region, and they're not slowing down.

History and Context

• The region has a strong patriarchy.
  
• The gender binary is strictly enforced by society.
  
• Religious fundamentalism is common and spreading.
  
• Many governments criminalize LGBTQ+ people, and others deny that they exist.
  
• Men generally have more rights than women and non-binary people, and the largest LGBTQ+ rights movements focus on gay men and preventing HIV/AIDS.
  

Trans and Non-Binary Rights

• "Goorjigéén" is the word for gender non-conforming.
  
• West Africa has strong, international goorjigéén communities.
  
• Trans and non-binary people are severely underrepresented in healthcare.
  

Safehouses

• Safehouses are temporary homes for people rejected by their families.
• Many young people are kicked out of their homes due to religious beliefs.
• The organization Queer Alliance funds safehouses.

Achievements

• Increased visibility
  
• Empowerment to activists
  
• Creation of HIV prevention clinics
  
• Some legal efforts
  
• Formation of strong communities
  

Organizations

• Queer African Youth Network
• Coalition of African Lesbians
• Centre for the Right to Health
• JournalRAGE
• Lesbian Life Association Cote d’Ivoire
• Open Society Initiative for West Africa
• Women’s Health and Equal Rights Initiative

News and Resources

• “We Exist: Mapping LGBTQ+ Organizing in West Africa” by Mariam Armisen
  
  • s3.amazonaws.com/astraea.production/app/asset/uploads/2016/10/WeExist.pdf
    
• “Ghana police arrest 21 LGBT+ activists at 'unlawful' gathering” in Reuters
  
  • www.reuters.com/world/africa/ghana-police-arrest-21-lgbt-activists-unlawful-gathering-2021-05-21/