Meet the Young Activists Fighting for LGBTQ+ Rights in Africa
Teen Vogue spoke with 5 LGBTQ+ activists on their work fighting for change.
Our Africa's New Wave package celebrates the rich culture and impact of the globe's demographically youngest continent. Through a series of visual stories, we're unpacking the gravity of Africa's history and influence on the world and why it needs to be looked to as a source of inspiration for radical youth-focused change.
Throughout Africa, queer youth are tirelessly fighting back against anti-LGBTQ+ policies that threaten their own community, with the latest movement taking place in Uganda. In May, President Yoweri Museveni signed an anti-gay bill into law, and it has been described as one of the world's most "brutal anti-LGBTQ laws." Beyond Uganda, countries like Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, and Kenya are some of the 32 countries in the region with harsh and inhumane laws governing and targeting LGBTQ+ people.
The legislation in these countries has resulted in widespread violence, hate crimes and speech, general stigma, and discrimination in social settings. It also further deprives queer minorities of necessary healthcare services and the ability to self-expression, which can impact mental health and has increased rates of anxiety and depression.
Historically, widespread homophobia in Africa is rooted in European colonialism. According to Africa Is a Country, “Customary laws in Africa were shaped in the image of the puritanical sexual sensibilities of Europe, in line with the general trend that shaped African customs in the image of Europe’s conservative and authoritarian objectives.” This meant that throughout the continent Christian rules were legitimized and enforced on people. While many of these rules have lasted into post-colonial times, many activists and scholars say that anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and policy is used as a political tactic to distract and divert attention from other issues.
Now, young people across the continent are at the forefront of a movement trying to make their communities safer. With the help of brave activists, a new generation is reimagining, fighting, and helping to change narratives surrounding the community while championing LGBTQ rights and total liberation.
Ahead, Teen Vogue spoke to five youth activists fighting for the rights of queer people throughout the continent.
At just 24 years old, Matthew Blaise is a force to be reckoned with. Born and raised in Nigeria, they are best known for boldly launching a new movement for queer rights in 2020 when they marched with thousands of vulnerable young people in the country during the infamous 2020 ENDSARS protest. Blaise can't pinpoint a particular moment in their life that sparked them to demand queer rights, but says that, growing up, there were many phases where different stories inspired their journey.
Blaise is the brain behind collectives like THE OASIS PROJECT and the new OBODO. Both platforms are aimed at raising nuanced conversations and matters affecting LGBTQ people in the country, with the latter using art and tech to write and rewrite queer histories and make space for queer people to thrive.
While June was meant to celebrate Pride Month worldwide, Blaise saw this period in Africa as a protest and a pushback against the system that threatens to erase the existence of queer Africans. "Pride for me this year has been all about decolonizing," they tell Teen Vogue. "Every year, instead of Pride being a celebration and calmness for queer Africans, it is always a fight and pushback."
Bandy Kiki, Cameroon.
LGBTQ+ people have been criminalized in Cameroon since 1972. Kiki grew up among a local tribe called Nso in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Queer activism for her came as a way to be the person she needed to be when she was younger and questioning her sexuality.
"There weren't any queer representations around me growing up, and it made me feel alone; I was convinced I was going to hell when I connected my feelings to the anti-homosexual teachings in the Bible," Kiki says.
Feeling unsafe in her community, she emigrated to the U.K. and, from there, vocally advocated for queer rights at home. Through entrepreneurship, advocating through Rainbow Migration (a platform helping LGBTQI+ people to seek asylum and immigration), and taking the role of Living Free UK Director, Kiki remains at the forefront of reshaping and prioritizing the lives of vulnerable groups. During Pride, she wanted to use the month's spotlight to acknowledge the vibrant African queer community and embrace the possibilities for the future.
Trinah Kakyo, Uganda.
Uganda is a country located in East Africa, and the community has been hit with inhumane anti-LGBTQ+ laws – members of the LGBTQ +community who are convicted of “aggravated homosexuality” are subjected to the death penalty.
Because of the danger activism presents, Trinah Kakyo is one of the few activists in the country. The 28 year-old is the founder of KAKYOPROJECT, a safe space for queer creatives.
Before the anti-gay laws were put in place, Kakyo grew up as a curious and open-minded thinker immersing herself in arts and crafts, which fueled her desire for a project like KAKYOPROJECT. It is also a eudaemonic place that prioritized community members' spiritual, mental, and physical and wellness. "Pride at its best includes an acknowledgment of our existence and an opportunity to celebrate our joy and resistance," Kakyo says.
Alex Kofi Donkor is the Director of LGBT+ Rights Ghana, a safe place for the Ghanaian community. Like most queer Africans, Kofi Donkor had to navigate their identity while growing up in a predominantly religious Christian home. From that personal experience, the need to re-orientate and re-educate the African population on queer rights became inevitable.
"Africans are so rigidly traditional. Growing up following all my education and exposure, I was told being queer is a sin. I grew up in the 90s, and up till this moment. Little has changed. I am still being told the same thing," Kofi Donkor shares with Teen Vogue.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances that previously threatened the in-person presence of LGBT+ Rights Ghana post-pandemic, the aim of the safe place has continued to thrive digitally as Kofi Donkor remains firm in their advocacy. In June, as a continuous way of celebrating Pride Month, Kofi Donkor's platform rolled out the annual "Colour Dialogue," a series of virtual conversations focused on LGBTQ+ activists and allies
“Queer activism for me is about imagining the vision of wanting to achieve a society where everyone is free and celebrated while exuding their very best,” Kofi Donkor explains.
Brilliant Kodie, Botswana.
In 2019, Botswana became one of the 22 countries in the continent to legalize same-sex relationships, thereby recognizing LGBTQ+ rights. However, the community still faces discrimination because many people still rigidly hold onto traditional and conservative culture.
Brilliant Kodie, a queer activist living in Maun, Botswana, experienced homophobia growing up. This experience strengthened his commitment to better, protect, and care for other minorities like himself. Kodie's most significant endeavor to date was bringing to life Setabane, a modern-day, independent, youthful, and fresh queer storytelling platform. The activist has collaborated with late African Portraiture Wenzile Dube.
To further elevate the vision of Setabane, the platform-turned-online magazine is currently in the final stage of registering as an NGO in Botswana while also expanding and building projects in the rural parts of Botswana. For Pride Month, Kodie sees it to represent the hope that one day African Queer individuals will truly be free from the injustices in the world.
"I also see it as a time to reflect on and appreciate those who have fought and continue to fight," Kodie adds.
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Teenvogue 19-07-2023 eet the Young Activists Fighting for LGBTQ+ Rights in Africa
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