“Political will might not lie in human rights or public health, as political leadership continues to change and evolve without a shift in ideology or approach to governance. The many democratic institutions and mechanisms we rely on today were built in eras that once condoned slavery, unspoken care work and labour exploitation. The colour of many leaders across the continent might have changed, but colonial legacies still exist. This is the importance of breaking the silence. Commemorating International Day of Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and other phobias is critical to recognizing how injustices persist and need to be addressed.
I argue that political will lies in these patriarchal and archaic institutions. That there may not be an Organisation of African Unity anymore, but an African Union that recognizes the power of silence. As in this year’s theme being ‘Silencing the Guns’ reflects; political leaders aspire for peace across the continent. So I posit: what should peace look like for us as LGBTIQ+ Africans? That no pandemic in health, economy or social attribute may erase or absolve us of the pain and harm we experience daily? Death cannot be the only answer. As we continue to do the work often underfunded and unrecognized amidst COVID-19; reshape and redefine what success looks like for our communities. 17 May allows for us to affirm our history as Africans as an inseparable to our queerness or LGBTIQ+ diversity. Albeit distanced from each other, we are connected in resilience, beauty and defiance. Aluta continua.” – Dumi
Commemorating IDAHOBIT, download and to an amazing chat between Dumi, Arya, Harry, Mmabatho and Ray here.
Dumi has a chat with Dzoe, here.
On behalf of the Sex Rights Africa Network: a chat with Urbenia (Rainbow Identity, Botswana), Dennis (Kenya) and Welcome (Bare Stories, South Africa): here.
In collaboration with CIVICUS, a conversation with Julius (SIPD, Uganda), Noah (ISLA, Kenya), Ange (Formely Molly, Burundi), Ifeatu (AQYI, Nigeria) and Mawethu (CIVICUS, South Africa): here.
In loving memopry of Kutwano ‘Bubbly’ Selaledi.