Supporting Documenting Queerness Ghanaian Series
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Hi, My name is Marigold Cobbina, and I am helping a Ghanaian queer activist raise funds for a documentary series that will prove that queerness existed in Africa, and it still exists in Africa and will always
This is a short message from Papa Kojo Ampofo.
" Hi thank you for checking out this GFM page.
My name is Papa Kojo Ampofo, an intersex and gender nonconforming curator living in Ghana, West Africa.
Over the last few months, I have been working hard to document the lives of the LGBTIQ community in Ghana. I recognized the importance of changing the narrative that has tied the LGBTIQ community in Africa with constant abuse, and I am offering an alternate perspective into the lives of queer people in Ghana and West Africa.
Some of the work I have done include:
1. Queer Elders Speak, where I speak to and document the lives of older gay, lesbian, trans and intersex people aged above 60 living in Ghana.
Here is a link if you would to watch/read it.
2. Queering Ghana, where I researched and explored the history of the LGBTIQ community across major ethnicities in Ghana. Here is a link to the story if you would like to read
3. Queering Valentines, where I documented the relationship of a lesbian couple living in Ghana. Here’s a link
In the future, I am hoping to document the lives of a lot more queer people, especially queer elders, not only in Ghana but across Africa. Unfortunately, some of the major challenges I have faced are inadequate funds for travel and accommodation arrangements as well as a lack of equipment for my videos.
Since this is solely funded out of my pocket, I am requesting this support to help me with my logistics such as
1. Buying a camera and tripod for my videos
2. Buying a microphone
3. Funds for travel and accommodations
4. Access help to shoot and edit videos"
As a pansexual Cis woman who grew up in Ghana and in a strict Christian home, this series by Papa Kojo is very important in educating Ghanaians, including queer people like me who are still in their closet and afraid of judgment, as well as bigots. Ghana is in the process of passing an anti-lgbtqia bill like the recent one passed in Uganda. This bill makes the entire existence of queer folks in Ghana illegal. Imagine humans being put in prison because they are queer or queer allies. I am in the USA, so I am protected, but my queer friends who are in Ghana need protection as well. These documentaries will take away the excuse that bigots have used to defend their homophobia in Ghana: "Gay is not part of our culture", away. They will realize queer people have existed in Ghana and will continue to exist whether they like it or not.
sincerely
Marigold Cobbina.
Organizer
Marigold Cobbina
Organizer
Mount Pleasant, MI