Fighting for LGBTQ+ Rights in Africa

Dear Supporters,

Covid-19 has taken us all by surprise. We have suddenly woken up in a new world where nothing is the same. Suddenly we risk losing all the things we once fought for. And as always, vulnerable people are always those worst affected, including the LGBT+ community. 

When the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the pandemic, over 120 Pride festivals were forced to consider whether or not to postpone or cancel the events which tend to be the LGBT+ people’s highlight of the year.  The events which normally have low budgets are run by volunteers tend to bring out the most isolated to the streets filled with joy and pride. 

Thus, if the cancellation of the Pride Festivals were the only side effect of Covid-19 for the LGBTQ community, it would have been a blessing. However, the LGBT Foundation has listed the ways in which the community are affected by the virus which has taken over the world, reminding us to continue to support the LGBT+ community whether we are in a pandemic or not. The LGBT Foundation listed the following as ripple effect of covid-19 on the community 

As LGBT+ communities are disproportionately impacted by HIV, people without the right treatment are at risk of a compromised immune system; a fact highly relevant for the African LGBT+ community. As countries have gone into lockdown, and hospitals are overwhelmed with covid-19 cases, there is a risk that less people get access to their HIV treatment and medication, and as a consequence contract the covid-19. In addition, the LGBT communities have for years encountered LGBTphobia in the healthcare system, making people more reluctant to seek care. If this fear is to continue during the pandemic, there is a risk that those with covid-19 symptoms do not get the help they need. This is an even bigger risk in Africa as the LGBT+ community are not only victims of verbal stigmatisation but afraid of violence.

Further, the LGBT Foundation states that LGBT+ people are more likely to be homeless. And as much of the news channels have reported during the pandemic, homeless people are one of the risk groups for the corona virus due to the lack of ability to self-isolate and practice good hygiene. 

There is also numerous reporst of trans and non-binary people not being able to access their scheduled hormone injections as they are being told by healthworkers that these are considered ‘non-essential’, something which is causing an outcry within the LGBT+ community as both WHO and the European Commission declared that ongoing medication for the trans community is considered essential services and should therefore not be delayed or banned during the pandemic.

As we hear reports, advocacy and donations being made to the LGBT+ community in the west, we cannot forget the great progress which has been made in Africa so far and let the hard work go undone. We need to continue to advocate and share stories, support those who need counseling, medical care and legal advice. 

We appreciate all the donations and support we have received from you over the last year and we hope that this will continue as we enter into the unknown future!

With Gratitude,

Africa LGBTQ