This is the first episode of our new narrative non-fiction podcast, How to Find Queer Elders that follows the life-affirming journey of Awo Dufie, a 23 year-old trans woman from Ghana, in her quest to find queer elders at a time when LGBTQI lives across Africa are violently rendered invisible.
At 23, trans woman Awo Dufie is outed, homeless, and facing a prophecy that says she will die at 30 — because she is queer. This threat is reinforced by Ghana's social climate and a looming anti-LGBT bill. Determined to break free from the prophecy, Awo embarks on a risky journey to find an 83-year-old queer elder who didn't just survive decades of hatred and colonial laws — she built a rich life. Can Awo too live long and live free? This is the first episode of a series on queer elders, produced by openDemocracy.Show Notes Sign up for Radio Workshop’s newsletter on Substack, and connect with us on Instagram and LinkedIn.Sources: Human Rights Watch - This Alien LegacyHuman Dignity Trust, GhanaModern Ghana - The Bawku Chieftaincy Conflict Needs To Be Resolved Within The Framework Of The 1992 ConstitutionAmnesty International - Ghana: Anti-LGBTI bill stirs up hatred, persecution and discriminationHuman Sexual Rights and Family Values Act 2024, GhanaPurdue University - Social Media and Human Rights Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Rights in GhanaAcknowledgements:Fondation CHANEL, Luminate, Ford Foundation, and Stephen Hendrickson. Special thanks to Rob Byers.Support the showWe can only do this work because of your support. You can make a donation at radioworkshop.org.
