Godswill Arinze (he/him), Nigeria, Gay
First up, why – in your opinion –is PRIDE still important?
In African countries like Nigeria and Uganda, LGBTQ+ people are at great risk of experiencing mob attacks, death threats, police harassment and vigilante justice. In these countries, same-sex activities are illegal, punishable by imprisonment or death. Last year in Nigeria, an Anti-cross-dressing bill specifically targeting trans and non-binary people was proposed to amend the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (SSMPA). Presently, queer rights are being grimly protested in Ghana along with an anti-LGBT bill in parliament.
Pride Month is important not only for the celebration of the progress that we have made so far and our strength and resilience through it all but also to remind us of the journey that lies ahead and to prepare us for what the future holds. It holds promise.
What do effective and impactful LGBTQIA+ inclusion look like to you?
For me, an impactful LGBTQIA+ inclusion is a point where queer people have full legal protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It is also a point where social attitudes towards LGBTIA+ issues are largely positive, with queer people feeling safe and welcomed and being treated with respect and dignity.
Can you tell us about an instance when someone was an effective ally to you and how it made you feel?
I have such wonderful friends. Their unwavering support and constant engagement in progressive conversations, the heartwarming texts I receive from them on the month of Pride, and the love and warmth I watch them offer to other members of the LGBTQIA+ community—it’s all so very affirming and very pleasing.
It’s important to be an ally, even when you’re a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. In what ways are you an ally to other communities?
I listen to understand the needs and viewpoints of other members of the LGBTQIA+ community. I make sure that I create every gathering a safe and welcoming space where other community members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns. In my capacity as a creative writer, I’m currently working on an artivism project that provides an inclusive platform for queer artists to hone their crafts and explore the use of self-expression as a tool for advocacy.
What is your top tip for someone just starting out in their LGBTQIA+ allyship or inclusion journey?
Come with a willing heart and an open mind. I think those are fundamentally necessary as it allows for a meaningful introspection and a sense of direction towards what crucial issues need addressing and what urgent changes need to be made. Many great thinkers, philosophers and writers, activists and educators have argued strongly for the freedom and recognition of the full humanity of queer people. From Wilde to Stonewall to this very day and age, there are many resources to look into and histories to learn from, so it seems to me that it’s really just about one’s own willingness to understand, the courage to think clearly and feel deeply about the well-being of others, of queer people.
Is there a particular way you’ll be celebrating PRIDE this year?
I would probably re-watch the first season of Our Flag Means Death (2021) with just enough chocolate.
Do you have a vision for a truly LGBTQIA+ inclusive Africa?
When I was much younger, some nights before I fell asleep, I often imagined traditional Igbo weddings where two men, dressed in bright red Isi Agu and emboldened by a charming romantic backstory, were about to get married. In this vision, they are surrounded by loved ones, in-laws, elders, umu ada, and a live band. Everyone is happy, smiling, and dancing. Today, I suppose my vision for queer rights in Nigeria goes beyond marriage equality.
The conversations I’ve had with other community members have exposed me to many more powerful, interesting hopes and dreams, all of which are thoroughly achievable. Queer rights have been won in countries around the globe. Nigerians don’t have two heads. We, too, will win ours.
It’s for this reason that my vision for a truly LGBTQIA+ inclusive Africa is one in which queer issues and identities are fully accepted within the traditional African culture and legally protected by constitutional laws and traditional customs. I envision a world where all African LGBTQIA+ people are protected against discrimination in healthcare and housing, education and employment, and all other areas of life.
