One trans woman’s fight against a bill that would criminalize Ghana’s LGBT+ community

Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi, 40, a trans woman who is an artist and LGBT+ activist, applies makeup before attending her grandmother’s funeral in her family’s village, in Lume Atsyame, Volta Region-Ghana, December 18, 2021. Homophobia is pervasive in Ghana and trans people are generally considered to be gay. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko

In a dimly-lit room with racks of women’s clothing, Ghanaian artist and LGBT+ activist Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi flipped through photo self-portraits illustrating her transition to womanhood. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko

Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi, 40, a trans woman who is an artist and LGBT+ activist, holds up a gown at her home and studio in Oduom, Ashanti Region-Ghana. “To say I’m afraid is an understatement, but I am what I am,” said Fiatsi “It feels like waiting to be slaughtered,”.  REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko

Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi visits local beautician, Lydia Kissiwaa, 33, to get her hair styled. A group of lawmakers from Ghana’s opposition introduced a “Family Values Bill” in November, which would impose jail terms of up to 10 years for advocacy of LGBT+ causes and between three and five years for those who “hold out” as lesbian, gay, non-binary, transgender and transsexual, or who undergo or perform surgical procedures for gender reassignment. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko

Va-Bene Elikem Fiats stands inside her wardrobe in Oduom, Ashanti Region-Ghana, December 22, 2021. I call it the ‘Anti-Human’ bill,” said Fiatsi, who is a former Christian pastor. “It takes away from our family values of being a tolerant country, and being hospitable and loving.” REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko