Category: West Africa
‘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.
To get email notices of new articles, [...]
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.
To get email notices of new articles, subscribe for free in the b [...]
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 [...]
Qtalk: Bisexual man struggles to sustain relationships with women
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 [...]
Global South bishops push for Anglican vote against same-sex marriage
Conservative bishops from the Global South want to force a vote on same-sex marriage at the Lambeth Conference, a worldwide gathering of Anglican bish [...]
Pride anthem aims to ‘Light Up’ LGBTIQ+ NIgerians’ lives
Nigerian musicians D'Unicorns have released "Light Up," an LGBTIQ+ Pride theme song that marked this year’s Pride celebrations.
From the Af [...]
Ghana hotline serves LBQT victims of gender-based violence
One Love Sisters Ghana has launched a gender-based violations hotline where LBQT people can report gender-based abuses and seek assistance.
[...]
Three strategies to survive being LGBTIQ+ in Nigeria
Nigeria’s discriminatory laws against LGBTQI+ people continue to have a huge negative impact on the lives of LGBTIQ+ folks living in the country.
L [...]
Cross-dressing Nigerian sex worker Amarachi released on bail
Amarachi, a cross-dressing Nigerian sex worker who was arrested last month, has been released on bail with the support of human rights organizations i [...]
Gay man asks Qtalk how to escape the clutches of a blackmailer
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 [...]
Should queer Nigerians celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month?
LGBTQ Pride is the promotion of the self-affirmation, equality, and increased visibility of LGBTQ people all over the world. Throughout the month of J [...]
In Nigeria, where sex work is legal, video shows it’s a high-risk job
By Kingsley Adrian Banks
A cross-dressing Nigerian sex worker known as “Amarachi” has apparently been arrested and interrogated by security operati [...]
Anglican archbishop urges talk, not boycott, over LGBT issues
Amid disputes over same-sex marriage and LGBT clergy, many bishops and archbishops from across the worldwide Anglican Communion are gearing up for the [...]
Queer Nigerian singer Matty talks about his new single “You”
Up and coming Nigerian singer Matthew Osamudiame Lucky, also known as Matty, has just released a brand new single and has shared everything you need t [...]
Gay activist defends Muslim player who shunned rainbow uniform
Professional soccer/football player Idrissa Gana Gueye, a practicing Muslim from Senegal, sparked controversy when he refused to play with the rest of [...]
A year after the arrest of 21 activists in Ghana, where do we go from here?
A year after the arrest of 21 human rights activists on homosexuality-related charges in Ho, Ghana, an activist/researcher asks: Where do we go from h [...]
REVIEW: Nigerian gay-themed film ‘Orgasm’ falls short
REVIEW. “A discreet gay man’s one-night stand turns into a love affair he never asked for.”
That was the premise of "Orgasm", a short film direct [...]
This organization is helping LGBTI people imprisoned in Senegal
The situation for LGBTI people in Senegal continues to deteriorate. Homophobic marches are organized and arrests are carried out against LGBTI people. [...]
For lesbians in Senegal, violence, rape, and poverty are constant threats
We spoke with Guadalupe, a 25-year-old Senegalese lesbian, to learn more about the violence that women, and particularly lesbian and queer women, face [...]
Film producer overcomes Nigeria’s obstacles to present a tale of gay love
As the producer of the upcoming Nigerian film "Orgasm", Godwin Harrison had to find a path around roadblocks aimed at blocking distribution of LGBT-f [...]
Gay Nigerian student needs help in fight against trumped-up charge
Falsely accused of rape, Amadi is a young gay Nigerian who is battling health problems while he seeks to clear his name in court. You can help.
[...]
Anti-gay vs. gay-friendly religion go head-to-head in Ghana
The Presbyterian Church of Ghana has come out in favor of harsh penalties for public displays of same-sex affection and for anyone who supports LGBTQ [...]
I, Issa, transgender person from Senegal
Transgender Senegalese stylist Issa Diatta tells about his struggle to live true to his gender identity, first in Senegal and now while adjusting to h [...]
Ghana is warned: Passing anti-LGBTQ bill would harm the economy
The economic damage that would be caused by passage of Ghana's extreme anti-LGBTQ bill was highlighted at a Parliamentary hearing this week.
[...]
Qtalk: Advice about queer love, heartbreak, painful sex
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 drops charges against 5 who were beaten and then arrested
A circuit court in Ghana has dropped charges against five LGBTQ people who were attacked by a homophobic mob on Oct. 19, 2021. After the assault, the [...]
Senegal: As homophobia intensifies, LGBTQ+ advocates seek help
In the run-up to an anti-homosexuality rally planned in Senegal on Sunday, Feb. 20, the local advocacy group Collectif Free is appealing to internatio [...]
It’s time to review laws against minorities, Presidential hopeful says
Nigerian 2023 presidential aspirant Dorathy Aken’ova, has spoken about the need for Nigeria to re-visit discriminatory laws against marginalized commu [...]
Nigerian employer rejects job seeker outed by closeted gay employee
A Nigerian man has shared details about how he lost an employment opportunity after he was outed as gay. Such discrimination is common in Nigeria, but [...]
Rightify Ghana launches fundraising appeal to expand advocacy for LGBTQI+ people
A leading LGBT advocacy group in Ghana that has put a spotlight on what it calls the "worst anti-LGBTQ bill ever" is seeking donations from LGBTQ righ [...]