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LGBTQ+ Activism in West Africa

6/11/2021

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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/
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