My best friend from college; she’s the woman who taught me how to laugh, how to REALLY laugh… and then, when I came out, we stopped laughing together. We lost each other’s smiles for nearly four years as we both searched for self in different directions; I as an out queer activist, she as a deeply spiritual Christian.
The existence of LGBT Africans ultimately challenges the view that Africans are naturally attracted to people of the opposite sex (i.e. the Homosexuality is UnAfrican mantra). However, this pigeon-holes the entire continent — straight and LGBT Africans alike — into addressing homophobia from just one angle: sexual orientation. The danger in this approach is that it leaves out transgender people, intersex people, and a whole slew of people — including straight Africans — who do not conform to traditional gender roles.
My brother wrote this guest post for me for Christmas and I couldn’t be any more moved. For any of you feeling hopeless about your families coming around, I want you to read this and see this as your future, see this as where your own family members could go. You will get there. They will get there. We will all find happiness :)
No doubt David’s brave words will resonate with activists and community organizers all over the world. His words along with Gloria’s call to action are enough to get me out of my rut, even though I am still sad, and still afraid. The truth is that even though, like so many other activists, I’m still trying to figure out my place in all of this, one thing is absolutely certain: I must do something. We must do something. We must NEVER abandon hope for fear.
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.
Testimonials
I love not only your thoughts, but also how you express them… Your love-centered, hopeful, positive and proactive voice is incredibly refreshing and exactly what I’ve been looking for recently in the feminist blogosphere.
SaraSpectra has allowed myself, and many I know, access safer spaces to have much needed, challenging and powerful conversations that would otherwise not occur in our communities.
ShakiraThe Network/La Red… a flexible and effective communicator with youth across various social, class and cultural strata.
AyariGirl Scouts Program CoordinatorSpectra is a talented speaker and facilitator and is especially adept at working with groups of students in ways that both challenge and support individual viewpoints.
http://Eva, Harvard Women's Center… a force to be reckoned with–in a very positive way. Spectra has the “gift” of envisioning the greatness we can achieve and uniting the folks who will make that happen. I adore her.
TimFenway Health… [an] articulate weaving of personal experience and analysis.
BeckyBy sharing your story, you allow people like me to relate, to experience, to learn and to share with others as well. thank you, thank you, thank you.
JTThank you so much for sharing your story and for being an inspiration to so many people.
WayoftheLizWe love it when Spectra Speaks!
The Theater OffensiveI can always count on Spectra to challenge an audience, to nudge us in new directions and connect us with new ideas.
Andrew ElderThe History ProjectTop Posts & Pages
- A Thank You To My Friends and Family for the Unconditional Love and Support
- A Gay Zulu Wedding and the Danger of a Single LGBT African Story
- Love and Afrofeminism: 5 Core Self-Care Principles Every Activist Should Live By
- 10 Books, Films, and Music by Queer People of Color That Would Make Excellent Gifts
Upcoming Events
- No events. Self-care break.
Africa News and Innovation
Afrofeminist Aesthetics
Social Media + Tech for Good

Twitter
Facebook
GooglePlus
Youtube