Tag Archives: Lesbians in Ghana

Ghana: Teenager Raped as Punishment for Lesbianism



A fifteen year old girl has been raped by two men as punishment for suspected lesbianism in the town of Yilo Krobo in Eastern Ghana.

It was reported on Africa Feeds, that the suspects, who shared housing with the victim and her friend, confronted the girls with an allegation of lesbianism and tried to offer them money for sex. When the girls refused, the men attempted to sexually assault them. One of the girls escaped, but the other was raped a number of times by the suspects.

The fifteen year old victim reported the attack to the police and one of the suspects has been taken into custody. The other suspect has yet to be apprehended.

Currently there are a number of legislators in the country trying to pass an anti-homosexual law that states anyone who engages in sexual acts with members of the same-sex will be “liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than seven hundred and fifty penalty units and not more than five thousand penalty units, or to a term of imprisonment of not less than three years and not more than five years or both.”

This bill, if passed, will apply to anyone who “holds out as a lesbian, a gay, a transgender, a transsexual, a queer, a pansexual, an ally, a non-binary or any other sexual or gender identity that is contrary to the binary categories of male and female.” It will also seek to punish people who promote and/or are allies to the LGBT+ community.

Author: Ari@listening2lesbians.com

Original article: https://africafeeds.com/2021/11/02/ghana-alleged-teen-lesbian-defiled-by-two-men-as-punishment/

UN submission on discrimination and violence against lesbians

On 1 August 2021 Listening2Lesbians provided submissions in response to the following from the Commission on the Status of Women:

“Any individual, non-governmental organization, group or network may submit communications (complaints/appeals/petitions) to the Commission on the Status of Women containing information relating to alleged violations of human rights that affect the status of women in any country in the world. The Commission on the Status of Women considers such communications as part of its annual programme of work in order to identify emerging trends and patterns of injustice and discriminatory practices against women for purposes of policy formulation and development of strategies for the promotion of gender equality.”

Commission on the Status of Women: Communication Procedure

Information was provided to the UN on incidents dating back approximately 2.5 years across the 57 countries we have reported on in that time.

Legal, social and familial punishment of lesbians for failing to conform with the expectations imposed on women illuminates the status of women around the world. Homosexuality is understood to be a breach of sex-based expectations. Strictly enforced sex roles are accompanied by increased consequences for those who break them, individually or collectively. Lesbians, or women read as lesbians, are doubly punishable for their non-conformity, both overt and inferred.

Listening2Lesbians is not an expert on these countries and provided this information to augment and support the information provided by women from individual communities. We can only provide information on cases we have been able to locate and based our submissions solely around the available facts. Please note that we welcome corrections and updates.

We are painfully aware of the many communities not represented.

Anyone with information on missing communities is invited to contact us with information on reporting violence and discrimination against lesbians in their community.

Liz, Ari and Devorah @ Listening2Lesbians

Submissions:

Ghana: lesbian DJ kidnapped, drugged and raped

Elladeevah Ellios, is known among her peers on Facebook as a DJ and an advocate for the LGTBQ community.

She came out today to disclose on social media that she has been kidnapped, drugged and raped for 2 days.

From a screenshot of her Facebook post, she added that the assault was filmed. The men who engaged in the act are unknown.

Continue reading at: https://www.pulse.com.gh/entertainment/celebrities/efya-reacts-to-reports-of-unknown-men-gang-raping-popular-ghanaian-lesbian-for-2-days/eljkvr5 (Source)

‘Lesbian wedding’ arrestees freed; Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ furor continues

Ghana police have freed the people they arrested last weekend at a party that police believed was a “lesbian wedding”. Meanwhile, homophobic campaigns against Ghana’s LGBTQ citizens continue.The Ghana-based African Equality Centre (AEC) said that the latest report from Kwahu Obomeng and nearby Mpraeso is that 14 people were arrested in Kwahu Obomeng over the weekend rather than the 22 initially reported.

The AEC reported that the 14 arrestees were held by Mpraeso District Police until they paid for their release.

In a telephone interview with Rainbow Radio 87.5 FM, Isaac Boamah Darko, convenor of Journalists Against LGBTQI, said the 14 people’s release from police custody was like freeing an “armed robber”.

Continue reading at: https://76crimes.com/2021/04/01/lesbian-wedding-arrestees-freed-ghanas-anti-lgbtq-furor-continues/ (Source)

Ghana: military lesbian couple to be court martialed for wedding

September 2020:

A Ghanaian military lesbian couple who got married last weekend made headlines and ignited the web. The couple had even been detained and summoned to court martial.

In videos shared online before their arrest, the two looked happy as they danced together as their guests congratulated them.

The event led to mixed opinions on social media, as many questioned why such an “ungodly and abominable” event would be allowed in this West African country.
(Translated)

Un couple de lesbiennes militaires ghanéennes qui s’est marié le week-end dernier a fait la Une des médias et enflammé la toile. Le couple avait même été détenu et convoqué devant une cour martiale.

Dans les vidéos partagées en ligne avant leur arrestation, les deux femmes avaient l’air heureuses alors qu’elles dansaient ensemble pendant que leurs invités les félicitaient.

L’événement a conduit à des opinions partagées sur les médias sociaux, car beaucoup ont demandé pourquoi un tel événement “impie et abominable” serait autorisé dans ce pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest.
(Original)

Continue reading at: https://www.afrikmag.com/ghana-un-couple-de-lesbiennes-militaires-detenu-apres-leur-mariage-et-convoque-devant-une-cour-martiale-video/ (Source)

Ghana: Military lesbian couple got married, have been detained and face court martial

A Ghanaian military lesbian couple who got married over the weekend, have reportedly been detained and facing court-martial. 

In the videos shared online before their arrest, the ladies looked happy as they danced together while their guests cheered them on. 

The event led to divided opinions on social media as many asked why such “ungodly and abominable” event will be allowed in the West African country.

Continue reading: https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Ghanaian-military-lesbian-couple-who-got-married-detained-facing-court-martial-1070242 (source)

Ghana: Bar Association President Anthony Forson Jnr. accused of raping two lesbians


ghana metoo (2)ghana meetoo 2

Ghana Bar Association President Anthony Forson Jnr. could find himself in the same sort of soup as a second lady has come forward to tell her story of alleged rape perpetrated by the GBA Prez. Kuukuwa Andam, the Canadian based Ghanaian lawyer who reported the first alleged rape, received a message anonymously from another lady who alleges being raped by Forson. According to her, ‘Tony’ also raped her, and because he knew she was a lesbian he blackmailed her with that knowledge to keep her mouth shut.

Continue reading at: https://www.ghanacelebrities.com/2019/01/16/metoo-second-lady-steps-forward-to-tell-her-story-of-allegedly-being-raped-by-gba-president-anthony-forson-jnr/ (Source)

Ghana: Women Flee After Attacked for Lesbian Relationship

 

 

The whereabouts of a married woman remains unknown to her family and friends after she fled into hiding since she was caught red-handed engaging in lesbianism with her partner in the Ashanti Region about a month ago.

Continue reading: http://adacommunityonline.com/2018/12/01/housewife-runs-into-hiding-after-she-was-caught-with-lesbian-partner/ (source)

Ghana: Mom told mob to beat up her lesbian daughter

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A mother told a mob to beat up her lesbian daughter and her girlfriend in Ghana.
LGBTIs in the [west] African country have revealed extreme persecution, discrimination and abuse.
Even though some Ghanaian officials have publicly called for an end to violence against LGBTI people, the country still criminalizes same-sex activity.
Men wield machetes to chase LGBTI people out of villages. Women and men are raped and feel they cannot tell the police. LGBTI people are assaulted to ‘cure’ them of their sexuality.

Continue reading at: https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/mom-told-mob-beat-lesbian-daughter/#gs.9opl3IM (Source)

Rejected for choosing ‘lesbian lifestyle,’ Ghana refugee gets new asylum hearing in Israel

Elam, who is representing Amponsah together with attorney Nitzan Ilani, said, “Now it is clear that the great suffering that Mavis endured from the Population Authority, including illegal incarceration of many months, and major legal expenses, was unnecessary. We asked two years ago to interview Mavis in her own language, as is required by court rulings and the procedures of the Authority itself. But the Authority refused. Thus it is operating against the law and forced us to appeal to the Appeals Tribunal just to compel the Authority, two years later, to act according to the law.”

Continue reading at: Rejected for choosing ‘lesbian lifestyle,’ Ghana refugee gets new asylum hearing in Israel – Israel News – Haaretz.com (Source)

Lesbians in the News 21/03/2015

Lesbians in the news

16/03/2015 – 21/03/2015

Corrective Rape: “I became their playground” – a short film exploration

Corrective rape, the attempt to cure lesbians of their homosexuality, is escalating in severity in South Africa. This film explores the phenomenon through the story of a gay single mother from near Johannesburg.  Busisiwe’s five children are all the offspring of corrective rape. As a lesbian, she was raped in order to be ‘cured’ of her homosexuality. Despite that they’re a product of the hate crime, her relationship with her children is not destroyed: “I only want them to succeed in life, to have the things I didn’t.” In Gauteng near Johannesburg, crime and violence are on the increase and life is tough. With the courage found in her children, Busisiwe helps to educate the young about being safe on the streets.”

Anti-lesbian violence elsewhere in Africa: 

Odorkor Lesbians in Hiding after vicious attacks, as violence against lesbians continues in Accra, Ghana with ongoing police inaction. The violence includes torture by local youth.

Attacks in Swaziland are on the rise with a young lesbian killed in Nhlangano, Swaziland in a horrific hate crime.


Representation Matters – Julie Enszer, Poet, scholar and curator of the Lesbian Poetry Archive Speaks on the stories we tell and why they matter

Anniversary of a lesbian murder – Kitty Genovese died 51 years ago in a vicious hate crime against women.

Longtime political activist Jean Hardisty dies

“Jean was a force in the lives of all who knew her. A visionary, she anticipated many of the political and economic shifts the country has endured over the past several decades. Undaunted by the implications of her insights, she dedicated herself tirelessly—and with uncommon skill, humor, and compassion—to the cause of social justice. She was a friend, mentor, colleague, and inspiration to us, and to countless people and organizations.”

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Highlander Center, highlandercenter.org or to the Boston Women’s Fund, bostonwomensfund.org .

Lesbian Couple Denied services – Community rallies after Wedding Video denied The big question is – would the community rally if what was demanded was not quite so conforming with standard community values??

Lesbian Movies – the struggle to stay relevant – perhaps more support from the broader community would also help, as indicated by the fact that Perth film maker Tessa Rooney runs an independent lesbian film festival Dyke Drama after the Pride Film Festival failed to show a single lesbian movie

Meanwhile Last call chronicles New Orleans Lesbian bars.

Tasmania, Australia: Schools to be given option to reject students – will sexuality be targeted? 

US Reform Rabbis first Openly Lesbian Leader

Toronto Canada: hate crimes rise by 11%

California’s LGBT Caucus files complaint against OC lawyer who wants to “kill the gays”. Unfortunately, it seems that the petition is hard to stop

Interesting information on why lesbians and gays often don’t live in the same suburbs – the gendered wage gap contributes to the phenomenon…

LGB groups march in Boston St Patrick’s Day parade after years of opposition

NSFW: footage of homophobia at previous marches in the 90s.

Baptist College stands firm on married lesbian bishop speaker: “true Christians” advocate social justice 

Changing Irish views on Same sex marriage Mark decrease in homophobia?

Specialist Toolkit Aimed at helping prevent Lesbian and Gay youth suicides as suicide and self harm rates rise

Puerto Rico may drop opposition to same-sex marriage

Australia: Gold Coast lesbian wins right to be mother of non-biological child

Islamic scholars in Indonesia push for death penalty for sex abuse and gay and lesbian ‘crimes’

US: Cross Burned on lesbians’ Lawn

US: In 16 states, same-sex couples can legally marry and then later that day get fired from their job for doing so. Federa; Panel Discusses LGB protections. 

Celibacy no longer demanded of San Francisco’s Evangelical City Church

Homophobia in the US – what’s it like for LGBT refugees?

Maryland US – A bill that on fertility treatment access for married lesbians progresses and will be voted on this week. 

US: Lesbian sacked for starting a family


Please send me information on any lesbian news I have missed at liz@listening2lesbians.com.

Lesbians in the News to 15/03/2015

Lesbians in the news

To 15/3/2015

Lesbians may have higher risk for cervical cancer?

Researchers discovered that the inaccurate assumptions by doctors about the sexual history of women in same sex relationships resulted in fewer health screenings for lesbians than straight (or bisexual?) women.

The human papillomavirus is the leading cause of cervical cancer and is most commonly transmitted during heterosexual intercourse but can also be transmitted orally and through skin-to-skin contact.

Please be aware of your risk factors and get health screenings as required.

Ghana – Fretful lesbians flee Teshie as homophobic residents vow to hunt them down 

Proud Women of Africa – Khayelitsha

Australian Politician Peter Abetz alleges militant lesbian lobby and anti-hetero propaganda. See more information and my open letter to him here

Lessons learned for LGBT people at the UN Commission on the Status of Women

Pastor Vows to Protest Lesbian Bishop Speaking at American Baptist College: ‘We Do Not Wear Our Sin as a Badge and Parade It’ 

Ireland’s only out lesbian senator has challenged an opponent to a public debate, ahead of the country’s referendum on same-sex marriage.

Oregon court to determine fate of Gresham bakery refusing lesbian couple
Judge will determine if the two women suffered damages 

The name of a lesbian lawmaker’s longtime partner doesn’t appear in a Texas legislative directory, though the publisher updated the web version after the Observer inquired about the issue. 

Taiwan Lesbian couple fights court over baby rights

Lesbian Couple Denied Job Running NZ Holiday Park

Alabama – No same sex marriage but lesbian divorce is pemitted…

2 Lesbian and Gay groups in the Boston St Patrick’s Day parade

Staten Island: Employment Discrimination, including sexual harrassment suit filed

Anti-lesbian abuse from Parisian Train Guard for kiss at Gare Du Nord

Texas Lawmaker introduces bill to ban gay conversion therapy

Catholic Church calls for itself to model love


Please send me information on any lesbian news I have missed at liz@listening2lesbians.com.