July Roundup
Books
“The Sex Lives of African Women” by Ghanian Feminist, Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah and published by Dialogue Books, in the UK. The anthology is an amazing and important contribution to writing on sexuality, sex, gender and the experiences of African women. I have not yet received my copy but judging from the reviews and comments on social media it has been well received.
“The Sex Lives of African Women, is an anthology of confessional accounts from across the African continent and the diaspora. The stories are sorted into three sections: self-discovery, freedom and healing. Each “sex life” is told in the subject’s own words. The result is a book that takes the reader into the beds of polygamous marriages in Senegal, to furtive lesbian hookups in toilets in Cairo and polyamorous clubs in the United States, but without any sensationalism or essentialism”. Nesrine Malik writing in the UK Guardian
Ten years ago Nana cofounded the now infamous blog and wholly inclusive of all sexualities, sexual preferences and gender identities “Adventures from the bedrooms of African women”. The blog has been a space for African women to free themselves of the sexual bondage [not the good kind] of patriarchy and give into pleasure. I will be writing more once I have read the book but meanwhile follow the book on Instagram.
Buy the book at Waterstones; listen to a summary on Soundcloud below
Film
I recently watched the new film on HBO that documents the lives of gay men in Nigeria and the Diaspora. It was never clear to me why the filmmakers came up with the title “The Legend of the Underground”. The film which is which is overly stylish and sexy in it’s presentation, centers on 27 year old Michael Ighodaro, who after many years [we are not told how long] of living in the US and working as a LGBTIQ activist, returns to Nigeria; and on James [Obialor] Brown, a dancer, fashionista and activist living in Lagos who was arrested in 2018 for homosexual offences.
The film juxtaposes the stylishness and freeness of Nigerian gay youth through their dress, fashion, dance and community against the constant fear of being outed and or arrested and the vicious homophobia within Nigerian society. The pain for many of being disowned by their blood families is palatable and distressing.
On his arrival in Nigeria Michael speaks of how the streets of Lagos have changed from when he left. Their is saddness in his voice at the experience of returning home and realizing you are no longer part of that space; even your presence is questioned and to some extent, suspect. This was a lonely experience for Michael.
One of the saddest moments in the film is when at a gathering Michael is asked why he came home. Its almost accusatory in the sense that here you are, safe and sound in the US and now you are here! What is it you want from us? Why are you here? The film entirely focuses on gay identified men and as such it is disappointing. If you are going to make a film about LGBTIQ life in Nigeria and Nigerian queers in the diaspora why would you not include the whole LGBTIQ+ community? None the less the film is a brave that shows both the hurt, and pain of being gay in a country where this could lead to being beaten or killed on the streets or sentenced to years in prison; where coming out will more than likely lead to being disowned by one’s family. But it also shows that Nigeria’s gay community refuses to go into hiding and is prepared to face the struggle to be free and live their authentic lives.
Laws on LGBTIQ+ in Africa
The latest fact sheet on the laws affecting LGBTIQ+ people in Africa
Deportations
Update from BLMP: Two months ago ICE deported Oliver Dunbar a black gay migrant back to Jamaica after spending over 40 years in the US and 2 years in ICE detention. Now ICE is trying to deport another black bisexual migrant unless you and I join force to pressure them. Please join us tomorrow noon and next week to demand that ICE #FreePaulWhite Take action!
This week we delivered two release requests to call on ICE to free Paul White. The request was just denied. Paul is currently at Caroline Detention Facility where he has been since August 2020. He has been living in the U.S. for 20 years and his entire community is in the United States, including his young daughter, who is a U.S. citizen, as well as friends and family across the U.S. Paul is bisexual and runs the risk to his life because of his sexuality if deported to his home country. Paul also has health issues, including Type II Diabetes and Hypertension, and struggles with depression and anxiety and has been sick with COVID while in detention. He has also faced retaliation by guards for speaking up about abuse he and others at the facility are facing.
The President Joe Biden administration continue to target and deport black migrant.
