Category: West Africa
Effeminate character shines in Funke Akindele’s new series
By Mike Daemon
The trending new Nigerian drama TV series "SHE Must Be Obeyed", produced by Nollywood actress Funke Akindele, shines a spotlight [...]
Homosexuality has always been African, but the term LGBT is new and divisive
By Steeves Winner
Although homosexual practices exist everywhere on the African continent, many Africans reject the idea of a homosexual identi [...]
Qtalk: A Nigerian trans woman’s tale of heartache and hope
LGBTQ+ Nigerians benefit from the support provided by volunteer counselors via the Qtalk app, which is supported by this site and by the St. Paul’s Fo [...]
Nigerian police make mass arrests at alleged ‘gay wedding’
Nigeria police made mass arrests last weekend at an event they claimed was a "gay wedding".
News articles gave widely varied accounts of the nu [...]
Comment: Niger’s new leader might be better for gay rights, couldn’t be worse
In the wake of the July 26 coup that overthrew Niger's president, members of the nation's LGBTQ community see a possibility that the government's [...]
Nigerian group launches survey of survivors of ‘conversion therapy’
In a groundbreaking effort to shed light on the struggles faced by the LGBTIQ+ community in Nigeria, the Levites Initiative for Freedom & Enli [...]
Qtalk: A Nigerian gay man’s struggle with friendship and love
LGBTQ+ Nigerians benefit from the support provided by volunteer counselors via the Qtalk app, which is supported by this site and by the St. Paul’s Fo [...]
House of Colours uses fashion to rewrite anti-LGBT stereotypes with style
In spite of the hostile environment faced by LGBT individuals in Nigeria, they remain defiant and resilient, continuously finding innovative ways to c [...]
Generous readers help two trans Nigerians avoid 7 years in prison
Two trans women will soon be freed from Port Harcourt Prison in Nigeria because of readers' generous donations to Project Not Alone.
(See box f [...]
Ghana abuzz as parliament begins debate of harsh anti-LGBTQ bill
The parliament of Ghana is currently debating whether to pass an anti-LGBTQ+ bill that in some ways is worse than the Anti-Homosexuality Law recen [...]
Here’s how we’ll help 2 trans Nigerians imprisoned after being attacked
Project Not Alone is seeking donations to feed and free them.
PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria - Two transgender women find themselves injured and behind [...]
Senegal: Should gays rejoice at the downfall of anti-LGBT politician Ousmane Sonko?
In Senegal, electoral prospects have dimmed for anti-LGBT politician Ousmane Sonko, who was sentenced to two years in prison on June 1 for "corruption [...]
African Human Rights Commission affirms intersex people’s rights
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The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, [...]
Setback for Ghana’s ‘worst anti-LGBTQ bill ever’
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Godfred Yeboah Dame, Ghana's attorney-general and min [...]
Ghana court returns three men to jail for homophobic violence
Defendants are accused of assault, robbery and blackmail
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Ghana: Anti-gay legislators crank up homophobia for political gain
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Legislators who sponsored the harsh anti-LGBTQ bi [...]
Nigerian bisexual man, accused of murder, gets help from Qtalk counselor
LGBTQ+ Nigerians benefit from the support provided by volunteer counselors via the Qtalk app, which is supported by this site and by the St. Paul’s Fo [...]
Is Ayra Starr’s new song the gay anthem we didn’t know we needed?
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COMMENTARY
Nigerian music sensation Arya Starr, joining fo [...]
In Nigerian musician Davido’s new release, why the homophobia?
Popular American-born Nigerian musician Davido recently released his fourth studio album to the excitement of millions of his loyal fans across the wo [...]
New MultiChoice TV series tells the Nigerian gay love story as it is
A recently released Nigerian telenovela by MultiChoice seems to have gotten everything right in telling a Nigerian gay love story.
COMMENTARY
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In Senegal, justice for LGBTI people is a long way off
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Orlando (pseudonym) is a founding member of the Associati [...]
Qtalk: Bisexual man wants to save his relationship with his lover
LGBTQ+ Nigerians benefit from the support provided by volunteer counselors via the Qtalk app, which is supported by this site and by the St. Paul’s Fo [...]
Here’s an empowering new song by a queer Nigerian singer
The queer-focused Nigerian music recording company LIFFE Music has just released an empowering new song by one of its signed acts.
To get ema [...]
Conference in Paris aims to decriminalize homosexuality worldwide
France's new ambassador for LGBTI rights lends his support to African activists.
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Qtalk: Nigerian gay man struggles to gain access to his son after breakup
LGBTQ+ Nigerians benefit from the support provided by volunteer counselors via the Qtalk app, which is supported by this site and by the St. Paul’s Fo [...]
Senegalese refugee says Ivory Coast is not safe for LGBTI+ people
The story of Guadalupe (pseudonym), a Senegalese lesbian who has fled to Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to seek asylum. illustrates the struggle that man [...]
Blackmailers ruined my life: Bisexual Nigerian woman shares ugly experience
As with many LGBT people in Nigeria, where homosexuality is criminalized, Judith got married in an attempt to avoid social stigma. What she didn't cou [...]
‘Gay people are more than their lifestyle choices’, Nigerian author declares
Nigerian author Timi Waters explains the importance of including queer characters in Nigerian literature.
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Anglican leader and Ghana leader dance around issue of ‘worst anti-gay bill ever’
The Archbishop of Canterbury and the President of Ghana on Tuesday tiptoed around the issue of the extreme anti-gay bill currently awaiting action in [...]
Niger leader plans to outlaw gay sex, execute married same-sex couples
The president of the West African nation of Niger is laying the groundwork for enacting harsh anti-homosexuality laws in his country, where same-sex i [...]
Ghana official falsely claims ‘no known record’ of anti-gay violence; anti-LGBTQ attacks persist
Anti-LGBTQ violence continued in Ghana after the nation's Attorney-General and Minister of Justice deceptively claimed before a U.N. Human Rights Coun [...]
Homophobic attackers target LGBTQ+ activist as he is installed as a chief in Ghana
West African LGBTQ+ rights activist Davis Mac-Iyalla was attacked over the weekend as he took part in a ceremony installing him as a chief in central [...]
Qtalk: Gay man married to a woman seeks advice for divorce
LGBTQ+ Nigerians benefit from the support provided by volunteer counselors via the Qtalk app, which is supported by this site and by the St. Paul’s Fo [...]
Pope says homosexuality not a crime
Pope Francis this week called for the repeal of laws against homosexuality.
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Qtalk: Transgender man escapes violent attack, seeks help
LGBTQ+ Nigerians benefit from the support provided by volunteer counselors via the Qtalk app, which is supported by this site and by the St. Paul’s Fo [...]
Speaker of Ghana parliament stymies plans for ‘worst anti-LGBTQ bill ever’
Ghana's parliament has adjourned for the year without taking promised and predicted action on a long-threatened proposal known as the "worst anti-LGBT [...]
Here’s how a UK-based organization is promoting LGBT social inclusion in Africa
Recognizing the lack of social inclusion of LGBT people in many parts of Africa, the advocacy organization Living Free UK is determined to fill that g [...]
Senegal: LGBTI activists sue in France to punish anti-gay group JAMRA
Three LGBTI rights groups are suing Senegal's extreme Islamist organization JAMRA in a French court, seeking to hold the organization accountable for [...]
“LGBT people have the right to be on screen,” Nollywood actor says
Nollywood actor Kelly Joseph has spoken about the need for LGBTIQ+ inclusion and positive representation in Nollywood.
By Mike Daemon
In a c [...]
LGBTIQ+ people want Nigerian comedian AY banned from entering the UK
LGBTIQ+ Nigerians have moved to stop popular Nigerian comedian AY, who is known for his homophobic routines and support for laws cracking down on quee [...]
Fighting for change in Senegal, lesbian activist sees a long, difficult road ahead
In a short interview, Senegalese lesbian activist Guadalupe Dansokho (a pseudonym), presents her unvarnished observations of her home country -- plagu [...]
Twitter’s cutbacks open the door to more online anti-LGBTQ abuse
Twitter's chaotic staff cutbacks, including emptying its one office in Africa and firing human rights staff, could cause serious damage to LGBTQ Afric [...]
Trending Indie-Nollywood film exposes the cost of homophobia
A recently released Indie-Nollywood film makes an impressive attempt at exposing the dangers of homophobia.
From the African Human Rights Media [...]
Qtalk: Trans woman frustrated after being unable to access hormonal treatment
LGBTQ+ Nigerians benefit from the support provided by volunteer counselors via the Qtalk app, which is supported by this site and by the St. Paul’s Fo [...]
Qtalk: Trans woman feels frustration finding a relationship
LGBTQ+ Nigerians benefit from the support provided by volunteer counselors via the Qtalk app, which is supported by this site and by the St. Paul’s Fo [...]
Qtalk: Man questioning his sexuality is unhappy with men’s advances
LGBTQ+ Nigerians benefit from the support provided by volunteer counselors via the Qtalk app, which is supported by this site and by the St. Paul’s Fo [...]
Ghana: Homophobes kidnap LGBTQ+ rights leader
The leader of Ghana's LGBTQ+ rights group Rightify Ghana was kidnapped for ransom by seven homophobic men and later released after they were paid, the [...]
Justice minister in Mali plans to make homosexuality a crime
Mahamadou Kassogué, justice minister for the West African nation of Mali, declared over the weekend that he will push for a law criminalizing homosexu [...]
Popular celebrities who are inspiring queer liberation in Nigeria
Popular Nigerian celebrities' styles and art forms are helping to dispel myths and taboos about sexual orientation and gender identity.
Fro [...]
Anglicans derailed anti-gay vote, but 125 anti-gay bishops forge ahead
Progressive Anglican bishops breathed a sigh of relief that plans for a vote against homosexuality were derailed at the just-ended international Lambe [...]