Spectra Speaks
As a group that is routinely judged, shunned, and fighting for acceptance, we as LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex) people are often pigeon-holed into playing the role of educator to the people that inflict the most pain on us, our friends and family. But it doesn’t always have to be that way. Give the gift of media, and absolve yourself of being the “go-to LGBT person” for the Holidays.
Last week, I had the pleasure of participating in the West African Civil Society Institute (WACSI)‘s Social Media Experts conference in Accra, Ghana. The conference brought together African social media experts, enthusiasts, and activists from across the continent, which got me thinking about ways we can strengthen “digital activism” across the continent.
I didn’t sign into Facebook that morning. I knew what I’d see; a timeline of status updates and cropped purple photos for Spirit Day; a timely performance of empathy. I knew, too, that my Facebook feed, practically segmented into Lists, including one for “Nigerian”, “College” and “Queer” would vary in hue, with barely any purple love coming from the Nigerian feed, and my white, queer, progressive community in Boston leading the way. I wanted to have nothing to do with it.
I recently published a personal reflection of my accidental, non-linear career trajectory as a writer and a media activist. In addition to my philosophy about using media for change, I wanted to share a few tangible new media tips, tricks, and strategies that have been helpful to me as well. So here are 10 tips, in no particular order, and a quote from Spiderman that summarizes it all.
I have witnessed the daily grind of empowerment of black South African lesbians, watched them sink and wade through the cultural stigma that surrounds them like a mist, clouding the world’s perception of their lives as ordinarily human. Thus, I have come to re-affirm my belief that we must also celebrate our proud perseverance, our steady survival, just as fervently as we do our big, bold acts of bravery.
I found this poemthing I wrote about Mother’s Day in my journal from about 2 or 3 years ago. I hadn’t officially had “the talk” with my mother, and though she already knew I was dating women, she seemed determined to avoid talking about it. So, instead, we talked about food, the weather, and Oprah. It was hilarious, and painful. Forward this to someone you know who’s dealing with something similar. And if that someone is you, you are not alone :)
Scott Lively is one of three American pastors who visited Uganda in 2009 and whom gay activists accuse of helping draft the original version of Uganda’s infamous “Kill The Gays” bill, which called for the death penalty for LGBT people in the country. So now, Sexual Minorities Uganda, a non-profit umbrella organization for LGBT advocacy groups in Uganda, is suing his ass.
I’ve compiled a list of responses from African women responding to Kony 2012, a controversial campaign launched recently by Invisible Children to raise awareness of child soldiers in Uganda. I’m amplifying their responses because almost overnight, the web became flooded with so much commentary from western media on the erasure of African voices that it became challenging for me to even locate African voices. Go figure.
About Me
Meet Spectra: Queer Nigerian Afrofeminist Writer and Media Activist. Social Entrepreneur Nurturing Principled Diaspora and Women's Philanthropy in Media and Tech. Self-Care and Self-Love Evangelist. Idealist Warrior Woman. Big Dreamer. Big Thinker. Big Doer, Too.
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The African Union Protocol on the Rights of Women: Progress and Pitfalls for LGBT Rights
The African Union Protocol on the Rights of Women is the first comprehensive legal framework for women’s rights in Africa that seeks to “improve on the status of African women by bringing about gender equality and eliminating discrimination.” Except, it doesn’t explicitly name protections for LGBT African women. Moreover, Liberia President Sirleaf isn’t the only African woman who needs convincing that it should be included.