Members of the LGBTQ community in Nigeria have faced discrimination and intolerance from different groups, religions, and many Nigerians over the years. Goodluck Jonathan, former President of Nigeria signed the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2013 on January 7, 2014, and a significant portion of Nigerians, who consider homosexuality to be “un-African,” mostly supported the bill.
Despite this, certain individuals in the Nigerian queer community continue to use a variety of media and platforms to represent the lives of queer peoples. In the literary world, the queer community boasts of authors like Akwaeke Emezi, a queer, trans, and non-binary writer, and Eloghosa Osunde, who show how queer people can always find ways to love, exist, and learn to hold each other dearly despite being viewed as unworthy. In their writings, the themes of resiliency, agitation, hope, and oppression are prominent.
Another platform queers are on sharing their tales is through podcasts. Podcasts, although not a new outlet, are a fast-rising medium popular among the youth, and are another way queers are telling their stories. Podcasts that center the queer community include;
No Strings Podcast
A noteworthy characteristic of this media is its bravery. No StringsNG came into existence, throwing all caution into the wind, in 2015, almost a year after the bill was written into law. Founded by a Nigerian, Mike Daemon, the podcast not only represents the community orally but also through written words with its blog and official website that documents and is dedicated to the welfare of the LGTBQ community. The podcast has been effective in drawing a sizable audience from many people who have derived motivation, assurance, hope, and fearlessness from it since day one. They also debunk certain falsehoods about the community.
No Strings also uplifts the community by interviewing prominent queer people who have earned names for themselves and through their professions. Some describe the challenges they face as queers in their careers and how they overcome or are overcoming them. Such guests include the author of “the sex and Lagos City”—an LGTBQ literature, Miss Sahhara—Trans Star International, Charly Boy, and others. Their stories give hope to others. Their podcast can be listened to on the Anchor Platform.
Queer with Nini
‘Queer Talk’, a podcast with 12 episodes so far wants to dispel common misconceptions about the LGBTQ community and establish a haven for queers in Nigeria. The major goal of Nini, the podcast’s host, and a Nigerian lesbian who also goes by the name Goddess Femme is to assist queers in finding their way and feeling at ease with their sexuality. Guests who are invited are frequently asked to express their perspectives on various community-related concerns. The topics of conversation frequently include sex, relationships, daily living, and specific terms related to the queer community. Although the podcast hasn’t been active in a while, it remains a safe place for queers. The podcast can be listened to on Spotify.
Queer City Podcast
Queer city podcast, founded in 2018, on the 6th of April by Olaide Kayode Timileyin, also known as Queernerd, is categorized among the Nigerian first LGTBQ podcasts. It was created to inspire others in the community to find a place for themselves in the media and other workplaces. It also exists out of a desperate need to provide education, representation, and inclusion of the queer in the media space. “I felt a podcast would be a good way to reach (queer) folks anonymously, lend a voice to the (queer)community, and also document the present times,” he said in an interview with Xtra magazine about this. The podcast is available on over 20 podcasting platforms. You can listen and then subscribe on Spotify.
Nigerian Queer (2bohray)
Nigerian Queer is a podcast with 23 episodes on Radio public. The anchor, 2bohray talks about the realities of being queer in Nigeria as well as the beautiful experience she tries to carve out for herself to relish her sexuality. She covers topics ranging from sex, relationship, love, positivity, etc.
The Secret Life of a Queer Nigerian
After coming out with one sexuality, one might be lost on how to proceed from there. Issues such as navigating the dating scene, finding events, parties, and shows organized by the community might prove a little bit tricky. The Secret Life of a Queer Nigerian explores this aspect and helps others who might be at the beginning of their coming out journey. Dada Princez, the anchor of the podcast talks about the secret problems queer people go through and shares her personal experience as a member of the community. She also does not shy away from delicate issues like sexual abuse in the LGTBQ community and so on.
These podcasts in their ways are advocates for the community and will be remembered in history, by those coming behind them, as those who had their best interest at heart.
Precious is a creative and content writer. She is passionate about documenting women’s stories and topics that matter. Her work has been published in Document Women, Adventures.com, Voicebox, and others. When she is not writing, she is reading a book.