Old article:
Things seem to be going from bad to worse for LGBTQ+ people living in the African nation of Ghana.
After outrage by church and government officials forced the closure of a safe space for LGBTQ+ people in the capital city of Accra, it seems to have kick started a political movement to make things a lot more difficult.
The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanian Family Values Bill has been put forward to the government by eight lawmakers from the opposition party striking fear into the very heart of the LGBTQ+ community. Amongst other abhorrent things, it proposes to make it a crime punishable by up to 5 years in prison just to BE gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans or non-binary.
Giving assistance, medical, financial or otherwise, would also be punishable by up to 10 years in jail and any media or online company seen to be promoting LGBTQ+ positivity, activities or encouraging children to explore their gender could also be prosecuted.
This sickening bill might even have enough cross-party support to be passed but would face enormous international pressure with the World Bank and the USA already calling on Ghana to respect LGBTQ+ rights. Just like the EU with Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws which pale in comparison to the Ghanian law, hitting the nations where it hurts financially seems to be the only language the government bigots seem to understand.
UPDATE 22 October: A protest is taking place in London tomorrow at 13 Belgrave Square, SW1X 8PN in opposition to the horrific anti-LGBTQI law that’s currently making its way through government. It would make even HELPING a queer person a crime. We must stand together. London protest info below.