On March 6, 2024, outside Ghana’s High Commission in the United Kingdom, a gathering of LGBTQ+ activists and allies voiced their opposition to the recently passed Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-LGBT+ Bill.
Their numbers, around 100 strong, showcased a vibrant display of solidarity, with many adorned in garments reflecting the rainbow hues of pride and brandishing banners emblazoned with messages urging the dismissal of the Bill.
In a poignant demonstration captured in a video shared by Accra-based Asaase Radio, speakers took to the forefront to articulate their anguish over the implications of such legislation.
Some spoke of the profound hurt inflicted by laws that target sexual minorities, while others invoked a call to action, emphasizing the importance of standing up for the rights and lives of LGBTQ+ individuals.
“They are pushing many of us away, not on a slave ship this time, but through the stroke of a pen, filled with animosity and penned by individuals akin to themselves,” lamented one impassioned activist.
The anti-LGBT+ Bill currently seeks to outlaw LGBTQ+ activities and penalize their advocacy, promotion, and financial support. Under its provisions, individuals found engaging in such acts could face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years, while those involved in their promotion or sponsorship may be subject to three to five years behind bars.
Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has opted to withhold his decision on signing the Bill into law, citing ongoing legal challenges regarding its constitutionality in the Supreme Court.
Watch the video below: