Historically, many Indigenous African cultures embraced homosexuality. Yet today, 32 of 54 African nations outlaw it, some even calling for the death penalty or life imprisonment. The African continent has the most widespread anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes by far. This is the result of British colonial anti-queer laws and, more recently, aggressive proselytizing by U.S. evangelicals.
In this reality, lesbians and trans women in East Africa are doing courageous organizing for self-defense. Despite the risks, these activists are going public with online photos and stories of their brutal harassment. Several have formed refugee support groups.
An important center of activity is the enormous U.N.-run Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, where many have fled from arch-homophobic Uganda. The camp should be a haven, but in practice, those who make it there often have to hide their identities or suffer violence. To keep and support their children, many have fled to Nairobi or have sought asylum in Canada.
British colonialism, which enforced strict anti-queer policies, lasted until 1980. It held sway in 22 nations, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. Only South Africa has strong LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination laws, a reflection of its broader anti-apartheid freedom struggle.
When right-wing Christian missionaries invaded the continent, they aggressively promoted anti-gay bigotry. Early on, it was televangelist Jerry Falwell, Sr. and his racist Moral Majority. In the 1990s, Pat Robertson, host of TV’s religious 700 Club, stepped into the fray. In the 2000s, ultra-conservative U.S. fundamentalists pushed for a draconian anti-gay law in Uganda. Dubbed “kill the gays,” it was initially held off, but has recently been reintroduced.
U.S. and international defenders are aiding the Kakuma lesbians and trans women. To help, go to the GoFundMe page hosted by the Seattle chapter of the International Kakuma Lesbian Support Group.
