<div id="e679e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="23d3dc58de25252244f9b66518d8bc5e"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1364572338667327488" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">While this unfortunate incident has happened, we wish to encourage all our members, and queer Ghanaians to stay cal… https://t.co/AkTMYIwi9q</div> — LGBT+ Rights Ghana (@LGBT+ Rights Ghana)<a href="https://twitter.com/LGBTRightsGhana/statuses/1364572338667327488">1614174372.0</a></blockquote></div><p>Now, LGBT+ Ghanaians and those who support them are pushing back, fighting for the rights and equality of the marginalized group. From speaking up on social media to initiating various support initiatives, the LGBT+ community and their allies are kicking against the government, the press, and the religious sector, who have all publicly expressed or even enforced their stance against the LGBTQ+ community.<br></p><p><div class="dfp_atf-slot" data-not-loaded="true"></div><script type="text/javascript">
checkdfpScripts();
</script></p><p>Following the closure of their office, LGBT+ Rights Ghana started a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/lgbt-rights-ghana-community-support-fund" target="_blank">GoFundMe called the Community Support Fund</a>, an initiative designed to support and empower members of the LGBT+ community in Ghana who are financially constrained. Over $28,000 has been raised so far from over 700 individuals who donated varying amounts, adding words of support and encouragement to their donations.</p><p>A Ghanaian feminist group called Silent Majority released a statement condemning the actions of the media, religious groups, and political figures opposing the LGBT+ community and declaring support for LGBT+ Rights Ghana and all queer and trans Ghanaians. Over 1,200 Ghanaians in Ghana and the diaspora have signed the statement on Silent Majority's website in solidarity at the time of writing.</p><div id="dd991" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b006688a6e5511348e60d78c5a70f1e9"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1366679715684229120" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">My position on everything is simple: 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄
I was raised on love and will spread love in everything I do and with e… https://t.co/iasqOusdVy</div> — miss forson (@miss forson)<a href="https://twitter.com/lydiaforson/statuses/1366679715684229120">1614676810.0</a></blockquote></div><p>Several celebrities and other individuals of influence in Ghanaian society have rallied together to support the cause, issuing either statements of support or commentary on the issue, or both. Ghanaian footballer <strong>Michael Essien </strong>is the latest to declare support for the group, joining the likes of contemporary highlife musician<strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLukOkmJHyS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank">Kwabena Kwabena</a>,</strong> pop artist <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/deborahvanessa7/status/1363817466267389953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1363817466267389953%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.okayafrica.com%2Fr%2Fentryeditor%2F2650860836publish" target="_blank">Sister Deborah</a></strong>, actress and film producer <strong>Juliet Ibrahim</strong>, musician and film director <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/wanlov/status/1365972746921009153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1365972746921009153%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.okayafrica.com%2Fr%2Fentryeditor%2F2650860836publish" target="_blank">Wanlov</a></strong>, jazz musician <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/StephanieBLive/status/1364162832120623105?s=08" target="_blank">Stephanie Benson</a></strong>, actress <strong>Lydia Forson</strong>, and more who have openly expressed their views on the issue.<br></p><p>Internationally, high profile figures with Ghanaian or African heritage have signed an open letter in support of the LGBT+ community in Ghana, including actor <strong>Idris Elba</strong>, model <strong>Naomi Campbell</strong>, actor <strong>Boris Kodjoe</strong>, and editor-in-chief of <em>Vogue</em> <strong>Edward Enninful</strong>. The letter expressed dismay at the treatment of LGBT+ Rights Ghana and called on Ghana's president Nana Akufo-Addo to protect the country's LGBT+ community. The letter has been signed by sixty-six Ghanaians and Africans in sectors such as movies, fashion and music.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcwNzQzMy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyOTY5Mzc0OH0.lszyQnpj851Uko2eP4VqRefjbXvYjXkwfiB4Soqp93o/img.jpg?width=980" id="893fc" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="574d5f295421175fb46e83b643130262" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Screen shot of a since deleted Instagram post by footballer Michael Essien." data-width="945" data-height="1912">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Screenshot of a since deleted Instagram post by footballer Michael Essien.</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">(Instagram)</small></p><div style="display: none;"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcwNzQzMy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyOTY5Mzc0OH0.lszyQnpj851Uko2eP4VqRefjbXvYjXkwfiB4Soqp93o/img.jpg?width=980" id="893fc" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="734bf025268592e7aeeca94ce1c502ec" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Screen shot of a since deleted Instagram post by footballer Michael Essien." data-width="945" data-height="1912"></div><p>However, Michael Essien's support of the cause has led to public backlash. Yesterday, Essien called for more support for gays and lesbians in Ghana, insisting that they must be heard. <em>"We see you, we hear you, we support you. Our LGBTQIA plus Community in Ghana #ghanasupportequalityGH," </em>he wrote. Several Instagram users strongly reprimanded the ex-Chelsea star and former Ghana international in the comments of his post, which has since been deleted. This came right after President Nana Akufo-Addo boldly proclaimed that same-sex marriage will never be legalized in his tenure. Speaking at a religious event, he stated <em>"I have said it before, and let me stress it again, that it will not be under the Presidency of Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo that same-sex marriage will be legal"</em>.<br></p><p>These and more show that even just supporters of the movement face backlash from those with an opposing perspective. It's a glaring example of the magnitude of the battle the Ghanaian LGBT+ community faces. However, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step, and with the local and international support the movement has received so far, that step has been taken.</p>
Keep reading...
Show less