Africa, as a continent, accounts for nearly half of the countries worldwide where same-sex relationships are not accommodated and are outlawed. The LGBTQ society is faced with death threats and attacks from family and society in general. Therefore, sexual minorities in Africa are often left with no choice but to seek asylum in countries where they can live freely. Some of them run away from home and seek refuge in these countries to protect themselves.
LGBTQ: Attracting a Death Penalty.
Some of the countries with no tolerance towards the LGBT family are Somali, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Tanzania, Cameroon, among others. Being part of this community in Somali attracts a death penalty to the person. While in Ethiopia, identifying as LGBT is a criminal offense.
Faris is a gay, gender-non-conformist from Ethiopia. He fled from home to seek refuge in other countries; however, life has not been very easy. Back in Ethiopia, not only was Faris committing a crime for being queer but also, he was advocating for the dignity and right of the queer community and also minorities at large. Faris started fighting for LGBT right in Ethiopia in 2013. However, things got worse during the Oromo protest in 2016. The government declared a state of emergency and shut down the internet. The police showed up to their homes unannounced and took them to the police station. When the neighborhoods saw that the police were actively attacking the LGBTQ people, they joined. They constantly got threats and attacks to the point that it got all over sudden, very eminent for them to evacuate.
‘I Need to Act Like A Boy Not A Little Girl’
Wahira is a trans woman from Somalia who is currently a refugee and a migrant in California. After living in Somalia, Wahira lived in the Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya. Growing up in a refugee camp for Wahira as a feminine child; she didn’t fit anywhere. Her femininity exposed her to all kinds of violence and dangers. People would make fun of her lifestyle form the way she sat to how she walked.
“I remember at one point, kids tied me up to a tree and beat me up telling me I needed to act like a boy, not a little girl,” said Wahira.
Before fleeing from Ethiopia, Faris suffered a brutal attack. He remembers sitting in a taxi, crying hysterically, telling himself he cannot be in Ethiopia any longer. He felt the society has succeeded in throwing him out of his own space, space he called home. Faris left Ethiopia to Austria to attend a conference. They decided to seek asylum, which was eventually granted. He remembers asking for a place to seek asylum, and he was shocked to be told the police station due to his prior experience with the Ethiopian police. During that period, he was worried sick, unable to sleep with wounds and marks all over his body. To him, it was a triggering and emotional experience to go through.
LGBTQ: Seeking Asylum.
Wahira has now lived in America for ten years. She works for a government transport company. She misses home every day; however, that is a feeling that will only remain in her heart, being an African girl; however, she does not feel safe to go home.
The struggle trans have in Africa is different from the struggles they have in foreign countries as a trans person. In Africa, their gender identities and sexualities were not completely not recognized. The freedom trans people have in foreign countries like America; they at least have the freedom of being authentic, their true selves. In Africa, most of these identities and put in a box. Furthermore, people like Wahira would not have left home if they were accepted for who they are.
All is Not Lost.
It is, however, important to say that things will get better, and there is a long journey ahead for the LGBTQ community. Life does not revolve around transphobia or simply a refugee camp.
“Be tender to yourself. Who you are, how you love, and how you express yourself is valid,” said Faris.
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