Revealing the lives of LGBT Africans
To live among and document through pictures the lives and struggles of lesbian, gay and transgender friends in Africa, particularly Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Togo and South Africa.
Lesbian, gay and transgender people in Africa face tremendous challenges and yet now, particularly among the generation in their 20s, they are choosing to live the lives they want to live rather than follow a tradition that denies their existence. I want to go and live with them and document their lives, their struggles, their joys, their challenges, their victories, in order to bring their stories out into the open. Because I have friends and contacts, I will start in Uganda, Nigeria and South Africa -- three countries with very different situations vis a vis LBGT people and then possibly also visit other countries in West and East Africa (Kenya, Rwanda, Togo, Benin, Cote D'Ivoire, Cameroon, etc.) How do you earn money when you can be fired based on some rumour? How do you have fun and express yourself when you can be arrested for it? How do you have love and family when yours disowns you for who you are?
15 Comments
What a great idea...
Poignant topic will be a revelation to our world--by an excellent, experienced photographer of the human condition.
It would be especially good to see more pictures of lesbians - they seem to be even more invisible than the gay men. Good luck!
No one would do it better! This would be a beautiful photo essay and humanitarian project, in line with what you are always up to, making a difference.
Shows the wideness of racy's heart - great idea. What better can any photographer do than make visible the invisible?
Great idea and a chance for you to get back into Africa!
I like your idea!
I voted for you; will you vote for me? Let's do this and see how it turns out. Let's help each other!
Good luck!
Aren't you afraid that people in their neighborhoods will see the photos and that there will be repercussions? That's always my first thought, unfortunately.
Otherwise? Great idea! :)
This is a wonderful project and so needed in the world. I hope you get the support and it happens easily.
This is a great Idea! Check mine out too and if you like it...return the vote! Mine is about exposing a fatal conflict taking place in the Congo.
Any project involving human rights and civil rights gets my vote! In 2009, you think we would be further in the world regarding treating each other as equals. Hopefully your project will help with that process. You have my vote! Good luck!!
Good ideas like yours that are not in the Top 100 are nearly impossible to find. This is unfair as many great ideas are hidden. Those of us in the “Sub-100” should work together to promote the best projects of the Sub-100 so that they can be in the Top 100 and be seen. Please vote for best Sub-100s!
Nice idea. Good luck. Please look at mine. :)
There is huge stigma in Africa about this, so good idea. I'm voting for you. Feel free to return the favor and vote for my project to document political upheaval, land seizures and rights abuses in Zimbabwe.
I've seen your stuff, this would be perfect!