Historically, several African cultures believed that gender was not dependent upon sexual anatomy, but was instead more energetic. It is important to document LGBTQ+ stories and history to reverse the erasure primarily caused by colonialism and fundamentalism. Nevertheless, recognition and representation have a way of personifying and enabling us to better understand our identities, especially for the many undocumented queer people who are today subverting gender roles in Africa. The multitude of accounts have been passed down through oral tradition leaving them open to misinterpretation and misconstruction, while a standard of heteronormativity remains largely unquestioned. LGBTQ+ scholarship in Africa finds that several anthropologists actively ignored or hid these realities. Historically, many Africans were unapologetic about their sexuality and gender non-conformity, though their personal stories remain difficult to uncover. Despite the propaganda spouted by some conservative political, religious, and other forces on the continent, a close look at African history reveals that it is not gender queerness that is “un-African” but rather the laws that criminalize it. As Pride month comes to a close, it offers us an opportunity to reflect on the history of sexuality in Africa.
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