LIST: Ghanaian Feminists Declare Support For Homosexuals, Lesbians etc...
A group of Ghanaian feminists have declared their support for LGBT+ Rights Ghana and persons advocating for the rights of queer and transgender people in the country.
The group, in a statement jointly signed by more than 100 persons, said the public reaction that has greeted its opening of an office in Ghana goes to reiterate what it describes as the “vitriolic conditions under which queer Ghanaians live.”
They expressed regret and condemned attacks by a section of the public against LGBTQI persons.
In their statement, they said public comments of criticisms and threats against LGBTQI persons are harmful to queer and transgender Ghanaians, and “ultimately seeks to control how all Ghanaians live, regardless of their sexuality.”
Read the full statement below:
Statement in Solidarity with LGBT+ Ghanaians by a Collective of Ghanaian Feminists
We are Ghanaian feminists writing in solidarity with LGBT+ Rights Ghana and queer and transgender Ghanaians everywhere. We write to show the community that you are not alone. Further, we hope this statement can help other Ghanaians who feel supportive know that they do not have to be cowed by the violent rhetoric of the government, the press, and the religious sector.
The violence directed at the community in the wake of their office launch demonstrates the vitriolic conditions under which queer Ghanaians live and why such a community space is needed. We reject the current onslaught of religious, media, and state violence meted out against queer and transgender people, who are simply asserting their God-given right to exist with dignity and safety.
The backlash against LGBT+ Rights Ghana follows a trend of moral panic led by the media, religious groups, and political figures. Whenever queer Ghanaians demand rights, respect, and safety in our own country, these leaders use the guise of morality and concern to push a violent agenda.
Their agenda is harmful to queer and trans Ghanaians, and it ultimately seeks to control how all Ghanaians live, regardless of their sexuality. We are already witnessing the toll these attacks take on people’s lives. As a result of the recent media frenzy, many LGBT+ persons are facing increasing threats of violence online, at work and in their homes. Community members have been threatened with evictions, forced marriage and employment termination.
As feminists, we believe that the patriarchal and colonial constructions of gender and sexuality that shape social expectations and norms not only hurt the LGBT+ community, but continue to keep other marginalized groups–including poor women, sex workers, people with dreadlocks, amongst others–oppressed and constantly policed. We align our political perspective with a radical vision of freedom and justice for all people in Ghana, which is also enshrined in our Constitution.
Of the undersigned, some of us identify as LGBT+, and others identify differently. Our genders are wide-ranging, our geographic locations are in Ghana and its vast Diaspora, and our life experiences are diverse. What binds us is a shared vision for the freedom and liberation of all people, particularly those who are most marginalised in our communities.
We unapologetically and unreservedly stand in support of LGBT+ people to live with dignity and under safe conditions in Ghana. And we call on allies to do the work of speaking up for queer and trans people as they are subjected to violence by the state, religious institutions and the public.
For inquiries about this statement, please contact Dr. Anima Adjepong at [email protected]. You may add your name to the letter here.
Signed,
Anima Adjepong, PhD, USA Nana Yaa Agyepong, Ghana Shakia Asamoah, USA Akua Gyamerah, DrPh, USA M. A. Marfo, Young Feminists Collective, Ghana Wunpini Mohammed, PhD, USA Rita Nketiah, PhD, Canada Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, Ghana Abena Benewaa Fosu, Ghana Malaika Aryee-Boi, Ghana Shelia Adufutse, Ghana Abena Awuku, Netherlands Raphaela M.A. Rockson, Ghana Fatima B. Derby, Ghana Godfried Asante, PhD, San Diego State University, USA Akosua Hanson, Ghana Abena Darko, Ghana Joseph Ewoodzie, PhD, Davidson College, USA Amma Dodi, USA Johlyn Fallah, UK Sylvia Bawa, PhD, York University, Canada Nobiana Dodi, USA Adwoa Asante, Ghanafeminism.com USA Makafui Ahorney, Ghana Sayidatu Mariam Ibrahim, University of Ghana, Ghana Ama Amponsah, Canada Elvina Quaison, Ghana Christine Hanson, SOH, Ghana Kafui Offori, Ghana Portia Asantewaa Duah, Feminist, Ghana Ria Boss, Ghana Adoley Pappoe, Israel Adaeze Williams, Nigeria Salma Shanni, Ghana Tracy N. K. Owoo, Ghana Debbie Frempong, USA Emma Dodi, USA Maame Akua Marfo, Ghana Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah, Canadian Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity, Canada Portia Asantewaa Duah, Videographer, Ghana Ismael Montana, PhD, Northern Illinois University, USA Shone Edem, Key Watch Ghana, Ghana Wisdom, Solace Initiative , Ghana Alliance for Equality and Diversity (AfED), Ghana Kwame Edwin Out, PhD, University of Virginia, USA Emmanuel Owusu-Bonsu, FOKN Bois / Wanlov the Kubolor, Ghana Rose Afriyie, USA Yasmin Fuseini-Codjoe, USA Ewurabena S. Hutchful, USA Jeanne Barbara Debre, Ghana Selasie Dotse, USA Nana Yankah, Esq., Shia Travel Group, LLC, USA Akua Agyen, USA Amma Gyamfowa, Canada Keya Prempeh, Canada Phillip Adu, Canada Chris Akyah, USA Olivet Aggrey-Fynn Makiava , USA Madonna Kendona, Accra, Ghana Kofi Ofosu, PHD, University of Texas at Austin, USA Elfreda Tetteh, Germany Betty Esi Awuku, The Netherlands Malaka Grant, South Africa Serena Dankwa, University of Bern, Switzerland Yvette Tetteh, Pure and Just Company, Ghana Jessica Longdon, United Kingdom Ayesha Harruna Attah, Senegal Dshamilja Adeifio, University of Teacher Training, Switzerland Maame Akua Marfo, Ghana Sefakor Agbesi, Germany Nnenna Onuoha, Germany Kuukuwa Manful, U.K. Teki Martei, Ghana Panji Anoff, Pidgen Music, Ghana Selinam Setranah, Ghana Naa Oyo S. Quartey Papafio, Switzerland Anita Enyonam Kwaku (Naa Busuafi), Afed, Ghana Gabriella Rockson, Ghana Hauwa Uthman, Ghana Sel Kofiga, The Slum Studio, Ghana Daniela Gyeabour, Canada Germaine Bombande, Ghana Esinam Agbeyaka, Canada Nana Akua Amoafoa Mensah , Ghana Owiredua Akrofi, UK Nana Aba Armoo-Daniels, USA Dorcas Amoah, Brooklyn, NY Owiredua Akrofi, UK Dorothy L. Hammond, University of Ghana, Ghana Kinna Likimani, Ghana Tawakalitu Braimah, Women in AI, France Nii Kotei Nikoi, PhD, USA Aseye Afi-Djangmah, Ghana Naa Korkoi, Ghana Afia Kwakyewaa Owusu-Nyantakyi, Ghana Fouzia Alhassan, Ghana Justice Okai-Allotey, Humanist Association of Ghana, Ghana Caren Akoto-Adade, Ghana Angela Otoo, Drama Queens, Ghana Jacob Alhassan, Canada Prof. Senam Okudzeto, Director of Art in Social Structures, Switzerland Franka Hagan, Ghana