Published on MAMBA Online.com
Across West Africa, a dangerous pattern continues to repeat itself: communities that do not fit dominant cultural or religious expectations are pushed into silence. Their stories are ignored, their contributions dismissed, and their humanity questioned. This is not a passive oversight. It is a deliberate act of erasure — and it is one of the most powerful tools used to justify discrimination and harmful legislation.
At the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA), we see the consequences of erasure every day. We work with people whose lives have been shaped by silence imposed on them by family, community, and state. We work with faith leaders who are pressured to deny the existence of sexual and gender minorities within their own congregations. And we work with young people who have never heard a single message affirming that they, too, are created in the image of God.
Why Erasure Happens
Erasure is rooted in fear — fear of diversity, fear of truth, and fear of losing control. When a society pretends that LGBTQ+ people do not exist, it becomes easier to pass laws that harm them. When religious leaders deny the presence of LGBTQ+ members in their congregations, they avoid confronting their own biases. When governments erase entire communities from public discourse, they avoid accountability.
Erasure is not only political. It is spiritual. It tells people that God has no place for them. It weaponizes faith against the very people faith is meant to uplift.
The Impact of Erasure
The consequences are profound and far‑reaching:
- Psychological harm: People internalize the lie that they are unworthy of love, dignity, or belonging.
- Historical distortion: Future generations inherit a false narrative that denies the diversity that has always existed in African societies.
- Social vulnerability: Invisible communities are easier to target with violence, discrimination, and punitive laws.
- Broken faith communities: When religious spaces exclude, they fail in their moral duty to protect the vulnerable.
At IDNOWA, we believe that erasure is a form of violence — a slow, suffocating violence that destroys lives long before any law is passed.
How We Fight Back
Recognition is not a privilege. It is a right. And IDNOWA’s work is grounded in restoring that right through interfaith solidarity, education, and advocacy.
1. We amplify the stories that others try to silence
Through trainings, dialogues, and public advocacy, we create platforms where LGBTQ+ people of faith can speak for themselves — with dignity and authority.
2. We build interfaith alliances that challenge harmful narratives
Our network brings together Christian, Muslim, and traditional leaders who understand that faith must never be used as a weapon. Together, we challenge the misuse of scripture and cultural rhetoric that fuels discrimination.
3. We document our history and our present
IDNOWA produces research, reports, and community‑based documentation to ensure that our stories are preserved. If we do not write our own history, others will erase it.
4. We train leaders to respond to harmful legislation
Across the region, we equip activists, clergy, and community leaders with the tools to advocate safely and effectively in hostile environments.
5. We create spiritual spaces where everyone is welcome
Our interfaith rituals and pastoral care models affirm that every human being is sacred. No one should be forced to choose between their identity and their faith.
A Call to Action
Erasure thrives in silence. Recognition grows in solidarity.
Faith leaders, policymakers, and community members must choose which side of history they want to stand on. Will we allow fear to dictate who is worthy of dignity? Or will we embrace the truth that diversity is not a threat, but a gift?
At IDNOWA, our answer is clear: We will not allow any human being to be erased. Not in our communities. Not in our faith spaces. Not in our region.
We are here. We have always been here. And we will continue to stand, speak, and advocate until every person — regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or faith — is recognized as fully human and fully deserving of love, justice, and belonging.
Davis Mac Iyalla is a queer spiritual leader and openly gay traditional chief in Ghana, with deep roots in faith-based advocacy and interfaith engagement. He is a humxn rights defender committed to advancing dignity, inclusion, and justice for LGBTQI+ communities across Africa. Davis serves as Executive Director of the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) and is the Africa Coordinator for Africa GNRC (Global Network of Rainbow Catholics). He writes and speaks in his own capacity.
Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa 