{"id":15558,"date":"2020-10-06T10:05:42","date_gmt":"2020-10-06T10:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spartacus.gayguide.travel\/blog\/?p=15558"},"modified":"2020-10-08T10:52:17","modified_gmt":"2020-10-08T10:52:17","slug":"interview-ghanas-lgbtiq-community-comes-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spartacus.gayguide.travel\/blog\/interview-ghanas-lgbtiq-community-comes-out\/","title":{"rendered":"#Interview – Ghana’s LGBTIQ* community comes out"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is it like to be a gay man in Ghana – a country where sex between men is illegal and punishable by up to three years imprisonment? Alex Kofi Donkor (29) is one of the most famous faces of the local queer community. He is head of the organisation LGBT+ Rights Ghana and also chairman of the Facebook page “Ghana Gay Blackmail List” – the queer community here is actively fighting against blackmailers, violence and homophobia for the first time. We spoke with the 29-year-old activist about the situation of the community, about his life and loving and about what needs to change.<\/p>\n

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You have been head of the organisation LGBT+ Rights Ghana since its founding last year. What are the tasks you have to fulfil in your position?<\/h2>\n

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As a leader you are the first person that others contact when they have problems. I constantly get calls about violent attacks, blackmail attempts and other difficulties. Apart from that it takes a lot of time and energy to get us to the level we want to get to. And it’s a volunteer position for which I don’t receive any salary or allowance and which I do in addition to my paid work.<\/p>\n

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But do you love doing it?<\/h2>\n

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Absolutely. My love for the community drives me. The fact that despite all the challenges we have to face, we are still able to love ourselves and others, to meet and celebrate together – that is something I admire very much about our community. Add to this the fact that things have to change for the better. We are equal citizens of this country and should enjoy the same rights and privileges as all Ghanaians! That is what drives me to keep on fighting. Because we cannot live in fear, and we cannot be second-class citizens in our own country forever.<\/p>\n

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You live openly gay, you do educational work and are also active as a model – are you often recognised in the streets? Have you experienced active discrimination or abuse directly?<\/h2>\n

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The reactions are mixed: There are people who are really open-minded – and those who are openly homophobic and mean. But I have not yet experienced any negative reactions from friends and family. I don’t care about what strangers think – and I don’t think I have to.<\/p>\n

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In early August, you and your partner made your relationship public on social media. What were the reactions?<\/h2>\n

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It wasn’t the first time for me – but he was very concerned about what people would say. It was a bit overwhelming for him, because he received a lot of calls and messages. Before that he had come out to some friends, but not to the whole country.<\/p>\n

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@iamhalilcherrys<\/a><\/p>\n

A post shared by Alex Kofi Donkor<\/a> (@ahuoden_gh) on