Violence in the name of "African values"

The African LGBTQI+ communities face violence, discrimination, and denial of their rights in the name of “African values.” Proud Attorney wrote about this.

LGBTQI+s are insulted by public officials, attacked and killed by police and vigilantes, and denied access to justice and dignity. Often, these negative words and actions are justified as being part and parcel of “African values.”

Anti-LGBTQ+ policies and actions are on the rise in the continent. Uganda andGhana have toughened their laws to persecute not only LGBTQ+ people but anyone advocating for their human rights. There is concern that Kenya, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali, and others could also toughen their laws. What is common across these radical changes is the assertion by public figures that homosexuality or anything outside of the gender binary is “un-African.”

In the name of preserving “African values,” some African policy makers and leaders are legitimising violence and abuse against LGBTQI+s.