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Heated Rivalry among LGBTQ People in West Africa

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

By Nana Davis Mac-Iyalla

Introduction

The LGBTQ struggle in West Africa is not only against oppressive laws and hostile societies but also against internal fractures that weaken our collective power. Rivalries within the movement—between organizations, leaders, and even communities—have become a pressing challenge. As someone who has lived, worked, and fought in this space, I believe it is time to confront these divisions head-on. Our liberation cannot be delayed by ego, competition, or mistrust.

The Roots of Division

– Funding Politics: International donors often unintentionally fuel rivalry by favoring certain organizations over others. This creates hierarchies where some groups thrive while grassroots activists are left scrambling for survival.  

– Leadership Ego: Too many leaders see themselves as the “face” of the movement, forgetting that no single person can embody the diversity of LGBTQ lives in West Africa.  

– Strategic Disagreements: Some advocate for bold visibility, others for cautious survival. Both strategies are valid, but when they clash without dialogue, they breed resentment.  

– Colonial Legacies: Language and cultural divides—Anglophone vs. Francophone, Christian vs. Muslim contexts—make regional solidarity harder to sustain.  

The Cost of Rivalry

Every time we fight among ourselves, governments and religious extremists gain ground. Rivalries:  

– Undermine credibility, allowing opponents to dismiss us as fragmented.  

– Drain energy that should be directed toward resisting criminalization and violence.  

– Alienate younger activists, who see infighting instead of inspiration.  

Example of Constructive Work: IDNOWA

The Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) demonstrates how unity and collaboration can counteract rivalry.  

– IDNOWA has consistently advocated against rising anti-LGBTIQ legislation, emphasizing that human rights are universal and must protect all individuals.  

– In Ghana, IDNOWA engaged with the Centre for Religion and Public Life to explore inclusive pastoral care for marginalized people, especially LGBTQ communities. They presented documented evidence of human rights violations to parliamentarians, strengthening the case against the anti-gay bill.  

– By building bridges across faith traditions and national borders, IDNOWA shows that solidarity is possible even in hostile environments. Their work is a reminder that collaboration, not competition, is the path to progress.  

Toward a Movement of Solidarity

We must remember: our enemy is not each other. Our enemy is the system that criminalizes love, denies healthcare, and silences our voices. To move forward:  

– Build Accountability: Leaders must be held accountable to the communities they claim to represent. Transparency in funding and decision-making is non-negotiable.  

– Center the Marginalized: Trans people, lesbians, bisexuals, and grassroots activists must not be sidelined. Their voices are essential to a truly inclusive movement.  

– Regional Networks: We need stronger cross-border alliances to resist divide-and-conquer tactics. West Africa’s LGBTQ struggle is interconnected; Nigeria’s fight is Ghana’s fight, Sierra Leone’s fight, and beyond.  

– Collective Vision: Let us unite around shared goals: decriminalization, healthcare access, protection from violence, and dignity for all.  

Conclusion

The heated rivalries among LGBTQ people in West Africa are real, but they are not insurmountable. They are symptoms of growth, of a movement finding its voice under immense pressure. But if we allow them to fester, they will become obstacles to liberation. Our future depends on solidarity, humility, and courage—not just against external oppression, but against the divisions within.  

Liberation will not come from donors, governments, or charismatic leaders alone. It will come when we, as LGBTQ people in West Africa, choose unity over rivalry, and collective struggle over personal gain.

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PUBLIC STATEMENT

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

On the Scheduling of the Anti‑LGBTQ+ Bill in the Parliament of Ghana

The Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) notes with deep concern the decision of the Parliament of Ghana to schedule the Anti‑LGBTQ+ Bill for debate and consideration. As an interfaith body committed to human dignity, justice, and peaceful coexistence, we affirm that no law should strip any human being of their safety, freedom of conscience, or right to exist without fear.

Across our region, people of diverse faiths—Christian, Muslim, traditional, and others—share a common moral principle: every human being is created with inherent worth. Criminalizing individuals on the basis of identity or perceived identity violates this shared moral foundation and threatens the social harmony that our faith traditions seek to uphold.

We respectfully urge Ghana’s lawmakers to consider the far‑reaching implications of this bill, including its impact on:

  • Human dignity and fundamental freedoms  
  • Religious liberty, especially for faith communities who reject violence and criminalization  
  • Public health and community safety  
  • Ghana’s longstanding reputation as a leader in democracy and human rights in West Africa

IDNOWA stands firmly against any form of violence, discrimination, or state‑sanctioned harm. We call for dialogue instead of punishment, understanding instead of fear, and compassion instead of criminalization.

We remain committed to working with religious leaders, civil society, and policymakers to promote peace, protect the vulnerable, and uphold the values that strengthen our communities. Our doors remain open for constructive engagement rooted in respect and shared humanity.

Human dignity is not a debate. It is a sacred obligation.

Signed,

Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA)

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IDNOWA Position Paper

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

Countering Anti‑LGBTIQ Legislation in West Africa Through Human Rights and Interfaith Solidarity

   Introduction

IDNOWA affirms that human rights are universal, indivisible, and inherent to all people. Across West Africa, a surge of anti‑LGBTIQ legislation threatens the dignity, safety, and freedoms of millions. These laws undermine constitutional protections, weaken democratic institutions, and contradict regional and international commitments to equality.

As an interfaith organisation rooted in the shared moral values of Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religions, IDNOWA rejects all forms of legislation that criminalise or stigmatise individuals based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Our work is grounded in the belief that compassion, justice, and human dignity are sacred principles across all faiths.

   Context: Rising Anti‑LGBTIQ Legislation in West Africa

Several West African countries have recently introduced or strengthened laws that:

  • Criminalise consensual same‑sex relationships
  • Restrict freedom of association, expression, and assembly
  • Ban or censor LGBTIQ‑related organisations and advocacy
  • Impose harsh penalties, including imprisonment
  • Encourage public reporting, harassment, and violence

These laws are often justified using religious or cultural rhetoric, despite the fact that many originate from colonial‑era penal codes rather than indigenous African traditions.

   Impact of Anti‑LGBTIQ Legislation

Human Rights Violations

  • Arbitrary arrests and detentions
  • Increased violence, blackmail, and extortion
  • Suppression of civil society and human rights defenders

Public Health Risks

  • Reduced access to HIV prevention and treatment
  • Fear of seeking healthcare due to criminalisation
  • Disruption of community‑based health programmes

Economic and Developmental Costs

  • Loss of workforce productivity
  • Barriers to inclusive development
  • Reduced international cooperation and investment

Social Fragmentation

  • Heightened stigma and discrimination
  • Breakdown of community trust
  • Increased vulnerability of marginalised groups

   IDNOWA’s Position: A Human Rights and Interfaith Mandate

IDNOWA’s stance is grounded in human rights principles and the shared moral teachings of West Africa’s diverse faith traditions. Across Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religions, core values such as compassion, justice, and the sanctity of human dignity are universal.

Our interfaith position affirms that:

  • Human dignity is sacred — no law should strip individuals of their inherent worth.
  • Compassion is a shared religious value — punitive laws that harm vulnerable people contradict the ethical teachings of major faith traditions.
  • Justice requires inclusion — discrimination violates the moral responsibility to protect all members of society.
  • Faith must not be weaponised — religious teachings should not be misused to justify state‑sanctioned harm.

Supporting Voices from African Faith Leaders

IDNOWA aligns with respected African religious leaders — Christian, Muslim, and Traditionalist — who have spoken publicly in defence of human dignity:

  • Nana Davis Mac‑Iyalla, Anglican human‑rights advocate (Ghana/Nigeria): “God’s love is for everyone. No one should be criminalised because of who they are or whom they love.”
  • Rev. Patricia Akpan, Christian minister and gender‑justice advocate (Nigeria): “Faith should never be used as a weapon. Our calling is to protect life, not to condemn people for who they are.”
  • Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu, Anglican priest and educator (South Africa): “Our faith calls us to stand with the oppressed, not to create new categories of people to fear or reject.”
  • Mama Grace Onibon, Yoruba Traditionalist elder and peace advocate (Nigeria): “In our traditions, every person is a child of the community. We do not cast people out — we restore them to wholeness.”
  • Archbishop Desmond Tutu (South Africa): “I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven. I cannot worship a God who is homophobic.”
  • Imam Muhsin Hendricks (South Africa): “Islam is a religion of compassion. Criminalisation and violence have no place in our faith.”

These voices demonstrate that African religious leadership is diverse and that many leaders — including women and Traditionalists — affirm dignity, coexistence, and non‑violence.

   Strategic Priorities for Countering Anti‑LGBTIQ Legislation

A. Advocacy and Policy Engagement

  • Engage policymakers, parliamentarians, and regional bodies.
  • Provide evidence‑based briefs on the harms of criminalisation.
  • Support legal reform aligned with constitutional and human rights obligations.

B. Strengthening Civil Society

  • Build coalitions across human rights, feminist, youth, and disability movements.
  • Support grassroots organisations with training and security resources.
  • Promote safe platforms for community voices.

C. Public Education and Narrative Change

  • Counter misinformation with culturally grounded messaging.
  • Promote narratives rooted in shared values of dignity and coexistence.
  • Engage religious and traditional leaders in dialogue.

D. Protection and Support for Affected Communities

  • Expand access to psychosocial support, legal aid, and emergency assistance.
  • Strengthen community‑led safety networks.
  • Ensure non‑discriminatory healthcare access.

E. Regional and International Solidarity

  • Collaborate with ECOWAS, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and UN agencies.
  • Advocate for diplomatic pressure and human rights monitoring.
  • Mobilise international partners to support rights‑based development.

   Interfaith Engagement as a Pathway to Social Harmony

As an interfaith organisation, IDNOWA recognises that religious leaders hold significant influence in shaping public opinion and policy. Engaging them is essential to countering harmful legislation.

A. Reclaiming Faith from Extremism

IDNOWA works with faith leaders to:

  • Promote contextual, compassionate interpretations of scripture
  • Challenge the misuse of religion for political gain
  • Highlight teachings that emphasise love, mercy, and justice

B. Building Bridges Across Faith Communities

We foster collaboration among Christian, Muslim, and Traditionalist leaders to:

  • Issue joint statements affirming human dignity
  • Create safe spaces for dialogue
  • Reduce tensions and prevent religiously motivated violence

C. Supporting Inclusive Faith Leaders

IDNOWA:

  • Provides training on human rights and inclusive theology
  • Offers solidarity networks for leaders facing backlash
  • Amplifies voices that promote peace and coexistence

D. Grounding Advocacy in Shared Values

Our messaging draws on values that resonate across faiths:

  • The sanctity of life
  • Community care
  • Protection of the vulnerable
  • Rejection of violence and injustice

E. Faith‑Based Approaches to Public Health

We collaborate with religious institutions to:

  • Support non‑discriminatory HIV services
  • Reduce stigma in faith‑based health settings
  • Promote messages of care rather than punishment

  Recommendations to Governments

IDNOWA calls on West African governments to:

  • Halt or repeal anti‑LGBTIQ legislation
  • Uphold constitutional protections for all citizens
  • Ensure freedom of expression, association, and assembly
  • Protect human rights defenders and civil society
  • Adopt evidence‑based public health policies

  Conclusion

Anti‑LGBTIQ legislation threatens human rights, public health, and the moral fabric of West African societies. As an interfaith organisation, IDNOWA stands firmly for compassion, justice, and the protection of all people. We call on governments, religious leaders, civil society, and international partners to uphold the shared values that unite us — dignity, peace, and the belief that every human being deserves to live free from fear and discrimination.

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Becoming Whole: Why Spiritual and Sexual Identity Development Must Be Fought for Together

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

By Nana Davis Mac‑Iyalla

Across West Africa and throughout the diaspora, I have witnessed a truth that too many institutions still refuse to name: our spiritual lives and our sexual identities do not grow on separate branches. They are intertwined roots of the same human tree. When one is starved, the whole person suffers. When one is nourished, the whole person rises.

For LGBTQ+ people—especially those raised in deeply religious environments—this truth is not theoretical. It is lived in our bodies, our prayers, our silences, and our rebellions. It is lived in the long nights when we try to negotiate with a God we were taught to fear, and in the bright mornings when we finally meet a God who loves us without condition.

The Violence of Forced Fragmentation

Too many of us were taught that to be spiritual, we must amputate our sexuality. That to be faithful, we must lie about who we love. That to be accepted, we must shrink ourselves into theological closets built by other people’s fears.

This fragmentation is not accidental. It is a tool of control.

When a society demands that LGBTQ+ people choose between their faith and their identity, it is not protecting morality. It is protecting power. It is preserving a hierarchy where some bodies are deemed holy and others are treated as theological mistakes.

But we are not mistakes. We are not contradictions. We are not spiritual exiles.

We are whole.

The Courage of Integration

The journey toward integrating spiritual and sexual identity is not easy. It requires unlearning shame that was never ours. It requires confronting religious leaders who weaponize scripture. It requires rebuilding a spiritual home from the ground up—brick by brick, truth by truth.

But integration is also liberation.

It is the moment a lesbian woman in Ghana prays in her own language and realizes God never stopped listening. It is the moment a bisexual man in Nigeria stops apologizing for existing. It is the moment a queer youth in the diaspora discovers that their ancestors walked with spirits long before colonial doctrines arrived.

Integration is not about choosing between God and self. It is about refusing to believe they were ever in conflict.

Why Activism Must Embrace Both

Activism that focuses only on sexual rights but ignores spiritual trauma is incomplete. Activism that celebrates pride but avoids the wounds inflicted by churches, mosques, and temples leaves our people half‑healed.

We must build movements that understand:

  • Sexual identity development is a journey of truth-telling.
  • Spiritual development is a journey of meaning-making.
  • Both are essential to human dignity.

When we create spaces where LGBTQ+ people can explore both without fear, we are not just supporting individuals—we are dismantling systems that depend on our silence.

A Call to Faith Leaders

To my fellow faith leaders across Africa and the diaspora: neutrality is no longer an option. Silence is not compassion. Ambiguity is not pastoral care.

If your theology cannot hold the fullness of LGBTQ+ lives, then it is your theology—not our existence—that needs transformation.

A Call to Our Communities

To my LGBTQ+ siblings: your journey is sacred. Your questions are holy. Your desire to belong—to God, to community, to yourself—is not a weakness but a sign of your spiritual strength.

You do not need to choose between your faith and your identity. You deserve both. You were born for both.

Becoming Whole Is an Act of Resistance

In a world that profits from our fragmentation, wholeness is revolutionary. Every time we claim our sexuality and our spirituality in the same breath, we disrupt centuries of oppression. Every time we refuse to hide, we expand the possibilities for those who will come after us.

This is the work. This is the calling. This is the liberation we are building—one integrated life at a time.

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Appeal for Responsible Leadership in Ghana’s Parliament

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

IDNOWA has formally written to the Minority Leader of the Parliament of Ghana, Hon. Alexander Afenyo‑Markin, appealing for responsible leadership and urging Parliament not to use the Anti‑LGBTIQ Bill as a tool for retaliation or political pressure.

Our message is simple and grounded in Ghana’s constitutional values: every citizen deserves protection, dignity, and fairness—regardless of sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or religion.

Dear Hon. Alexander Afenyo‑Markin, Minority Leader, Parliament of the Republic of Ghana,

I extend my respectful greetings to you and your distinguished office. I am writing in my capacity as Executive Director of the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA), an organisation committed to promoting peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and the protection of all citizens irrespective of their background, beliefs, or identity.

I wish to respectfully appeal to your good office regarding the ongoing calls for the passage of the Anti‑LGBTIQ Bill. My concern is not rooted in politics, but in the shared responsibility we all bear to safeguard Ghana’s democratic values, human dignity, and long‑standing traditions of tolerance.

IDNOWA is not advocating for special privileges or political advantage for any group. Our position is simple: every Ghanaian deserves equal protection under the law, regardless of sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion. This principle aligns with Ghana’s constitutional commitments and with the moral foundations of our diverse cultural and faith traditions.

Historically, our ancestors lived in communities where differences were managed with wisdom rather than punishment. They did not build prisons for people based on their private lives or identities. Instead, they upheld a social fabric that valued harmony, coexistence, and respect for diversity. These values have shaped Ghana into a nation admired for its stability and humanity.

At a time when the country faces significant economic and social challenges, prioritising legislation that targets vulnerable citizens risks diverting national attention from urgent development needs. It also risks deepening divisions at a moment when unity is essential. Ghana’s reputation as a democratic, rights‑respecting nation has been earned through decades of careful leadership—leadership that you now embody in your role as Minority Leader.

I therefore appeal to your conscience, your sense of justice, and your commitment to Ghana’s democratic heritage. Your influence can help ensure that Parliament does not become a tool for retaliation or exclusion, but remains a place where every citizen feels represented and protected. This moment calls for leadership that rises above political tensions and affirms the dignity of all Ghanaians.

I trust in your wisdom and your ability to guide Parliament toward decisions that strengthen our national cohesion and uphold the values that define us as a people.

Thank you for your service to Ghana and for considering this respectful appeal.

Yours sincerely,

Davis Mac‑Iyalla

Executive Director Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA)

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Spiritual Violence Against LGBTIQ People in West Africa

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

By Nana Davis Mac‑Iyalla

Across West Africa, many LGBTIQ people are not only fighting for their human rights—they are fighting for their spiritual survival. As an activist, a ceremonial leader, and someone shaped by both African tradition and global faith communities, I have witnessed how deeply spiritual violence wounds our people. It is a form of harm that is often invisible, yet its impact is profound and lasting.

Spiritual violence happens when religion, culture, or sacred authority is used to shame, silence, or erase LGBTIQ identities. It appears in sermons that condemn us, in families who pray for us to “change,” in traditional leaders who deny our place in ancestral narratives, and in laws justified by distorted interpretations of scripture. It is the quiet violence of exclusion, the loud violence of public humiliation, and the structural violence of institutions that refuse to see our humanity.

What makes spiritual violence particularly painful is that it strikes at the core of who we are. In West Africa, spirituality is not a separate part of life—it is woven into our birth, our names, our families, our communities, and our understanding of purpose. When someone tells an LGBTIQ person that they are “not of God,” they are not simply expressing an opinion; they are attempting to sever that person from their cultural and spiritual roots.

Yet the truth—our truth—is older and deeper than these harmful narratives.

Long before colonial laws and imported doctrines, African societies held diverse understandings of gender and sexuality. Our ancestors honoured people with unique spiritual gifts, including those whose identities did not fit rigid categories. Many LGBTIQ people today continue to carry that same spiritual depth, resilience, and calling. We are not outsiders to African spirituality; we are part of its living history.

As Executive Director of the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA), I have seen how reclaiming our spiritual dignity transforms lives. When LGBTIQ people hear affirming messages from faith leaders, when they encounter rituals that honour their existence, when they learn that their identity is not a curse but a gift—something shifts. Hope returns. Healing begins.

But healing cannot happen without truth‑telling.

We must name spiritual violence for what it is: a misuse of sacred power. No scripture, no tradition, and no deity calls us to harm one another. The weaponisation of religion against LGBTIQ people is not faith—it is fear. And fear thrives where knowledge is absent.

This is why our work is urgent. We must continue to educate, to challenge harmful narratives, and to create spaces where LGBTIQ people can reconnect with their spirituality without shame. We must support faith leaders who are courageous enough to stand for inclusion, even when it is unpopular. And we must remind our communities that human dignity is not negotiable.

As we approach IDNOWA’s 10‑year anniversary and our Human Rights Conference this August, I am reminded of how far we have come—and how far we still must go. Our movement is growing. Our voices are stronger. Our stories are being told. But the struggle continues, and we cannot do it alone.

Spiritual violence may be powerful, but so is our resilience. So is our truth. So is our collective determination to build a West Africa where every person—regardless of sexuality, gender identity, or faith—can live with dignity, safety, and spiritual belonging.

Our liberation is not a question of if, but when. And together, we are bringing that “when” closer.

Nana Davis Mac‑Iyalla

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Festive Season Message

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

The Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) extends warm greetings to all Christians this festive season. Christmas and the New Year remind us of the enduring values of love, peace, hope, and goodwill—principles that unite people of all faiths.

We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, whose teachings inspire compassion, justice, and inclusion. We honour Christian leaders and communities who continue to champion peace and understanding, strengthening our shared mission of embracing diversity.

 May this season bring hope to families, healing to the hurting, and joy to every heart. As we enter a new year, IDNOWA reaffirms its commitment to interfaith collaboration, building societies rooted in justice, compassion, and unity.

Signed, 

Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA)

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IDNOWA Executive Director Reflects on the Pan Africa ILGA Conference

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

 I consider it a great honour to have participated and represented IDNOWA at the just-concluded Pan Africa ILGA (PAI) Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa.  

The theme of the conference, UNBREAKABLE, resonated deeply with me—both personally and in the work we do at IDNOWA. In the face of the growing rise of anti-rights and anti-gender groups, movements, and cooperatives, many of us have been resisting to the point of reaching breaking limits. Yet, through the true values of community spirit and Ubuntu, we remain strong and focused.  

Throughout the conference, I engaged in several workshops and panels—sometimes as a speaker, other times as a listener. From my arrival to my departure, there was no wasted time; it was serious business of human rights and advocacy.

At the Annual General Meeting (AGM), nearly 150 registered members contributed to discussions on issues affecting our continent and beyond. We also elected new Board Members who will pilot the affairs of PAI alongside the Secretariat for the next three years.

IDNOWA particularly thanks and appreciates Nate Brown and the outgoing Board for demonstrating leadership even in the midst of serious divisions, and for hosting one of the best PAI conferences to date. We especially commend Nate Brown for using his platform to raise the issues of bullying, harassment, and their mental impacts—not only on himself but on his entire team.

While a few participants came with biased agendas to discredit others and the Secretariat, the majority of conference participants stayed focused on the goals. Accountability was clearly demonstrated at every stage, and IDNOWA was impressed.

We encourage the incoming PAI Board to demonstrate inclusive leadership that works for all of us. Everyone must be safeguarded—including our members, the Secretariat, and its leader, Nate Brown. Let us not leave anyone behind.

Nana Davis Mac-Iyalla 

 Executive Director, IDNOWA

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Statement: The Power of Visibility in the Fight for Inclusion and LGBT+ Human Rights in West Africa  

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

Visibility is not a luxury—it is a lifeline. In West Africa, where LGBTQ+ individuals are often forced into silence by religious dogma, cultural stigma, and punitive laws, being seen is an act of resistance. It is also an act of truth. Visibility affirms that queer Africans exist, contribute, lead, and love. It challenges the myth that LGBTQ+ identities are foreign or shameful. It reclaims ancestral wisdom that once honored diversity before colonial doctrines taught us to fear it.  

Today, visibility is more urgent than ever. We are witnessing a troubling rise in religious and traditional homophobia, often weaponized by national parliamentarians who act not as protectors of their people, but as instruments of repression. These lawmakers—some emboldened by Western collaborators who export anti-LGBT+ ideology—are pushing harsh legislation that criminalizes identity, advocacy, and even compassion. Their goal is not morality—it is control. Their method is fear.  

In this climate, the work of the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA) is not only relevant—it is indispensable. IDNOWA stands at the intersection of faith, tradition, and justice. We engage religious and cultural leaders in dialogue, educate communities, and amplify the voices of those who have been silenced. We do not import activism—we reclaim it. Our work is rooted in African values of Ubuntu, dignity, and spiritual resilience.  

IDNOWA’s presence reminds the region—and the world—that inclusion is not a Western agenda. It is a human imperative. It is a return to truth. As anti-LGBT+ forces grow louder, we must grow more visible. We must show that queer Africans are not outsiders—we are part of the continent’s story, its spirit, and its future.

To every LGBTQ+ person in West Africa: your visibility is sacred. Your existence is not a threat—it is a gift. And to those who seek to erase us: we will not disappear. We will organize, educate, and rise. Because visibility is not just about being seen—it is about being free.

Signed, 
Nana Davis Mac-Iyalla 
Executive Director
 Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa 
(IDNOWA)  

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Intersex Awareness Day

Interfaith Diversity Network Of West Africa

Statement by Nana Davis Mac-Iyalla 

As an intersex person rooted in West Africa and committed to the pursuit of dignity, inclusion, and truth, I issue this statement to mark Intersex Awareness Day—not as a symbolic gesture, but as a call to action.

Intersex people have always existed. Across our continent, our bodies have been part of sacred cosmologies, our lives woven into the ancestral fabric of our communities. Yet today, many intersex children and adults across West Africa continue to face silence, shame, and systemic harm. Non-consensual surgeries, social exclusion, and theological erasure remain widespread.  

This is not our tradition. It is the legacy of colonial medicine and imported dogma—forces that taught us to fear what we once honored.  

As Executive Director of IDNOWA, I affirm that intersex rights are human rights. We must end medically unnecessary interventions on intersex infants. We must protect intersex people from discrimination in healthcare, education, and religious spaces. And we must ensure that intersex voices are not only heard, but centered in the policies and movements that shape our lives.  

Our advocacy is not a Western import. It is a reclamation. A return to the wisdom of our ancestors who understood that life is not binary, and that the divine is not limited by rigid categories of male or female.  

We call on governments, faith leaders, educators, and civil society across West Africa and the diaspora to join us in this work. Let us build coalitions that honor bodily autonomy. Let us create spaces where intersex people can live openly, safely, and with pride. Let us teach our children that difference is not a defect—it is a gift.

To all intersex people: you are not alone. You are not broken. You are not a mistake. You are sacred.

This Intersex Awareness Day, we do not ask for permission to exist. We assert our right to thrive.