It is a very dangerous situation for LGBTQ people, but it is also dangerous for those supporting them. People weren't very tolerant before, but now we are facing a true crisis. I heard a woman outside the shelter say that to get rid of Covid-19, we needed to eliminate all homosexuals. They are now in our hands and are safe."Įvery time there is an illness in Africa, people blame LGBTQ people. "We are grateful to our association (.) Our doors are wide open to the victims. Q3IJcyIIls- Hirondelle Club Benin May 4, 2021 Ils sont dans nos mains jusqu'en ce jour et en sécurité. Nous leur avons grandement ouvert nos portes. Nous remercions le dispositif que notre association a mis en place, de jour comme de nuit, ce qui a permis aux victimes de nous contacter depuis leur position. We demand justice for these horrible and inhumane acts, and we will not give up until justice is served. We have referred this case to the prosecutor of the Cotonou court. The group also provides dozens of LGBTQ victims with shelter and food, as well as psychological and legal support. The NGO aims to educate people and to demystify prejudices about LGBTQ people in order to prevent homophobic violence. Luc Expedit set up the organisation with a group of friends in March 2013 after a homosexual man was killed by his father in Cotonou. To be able to host the growing number of LGBTQ people rejected from their families, Hirondelle Club Benin opened a new shelter last year. Violence and abuse against trans people has increased during the pandemic, with many being blamed for having caused Covid-19. The pandemic has created ‘a true crisis’ for Benin’s transgender community Even young children in the street have been point fingers at us. Within 24 hours, the whole nation had seen the videos, including our families and bosses. But when we woke up the next day, we knew that our lives were over. We ran away and found safety here, in this shelter. The African network AOS (Afrique Occident Solidaire), which brings together 159 organisations in support of LGBTQ people, has been working with Facebook to get as many of the videos removed as possible.Īfter the attack, the trans women managed to escape and find safety in a shelter set up by the NGO Hirondelle Club Benin, which defends LGBTQ rights. The videos have gone viral on social media across Benin.
Bruises on the back of a victim’s neck after the attack © Observers