I 'fled' from Ghana to escape warfare — Transgender after relocating to Germany
Angel Maxine, a well-known Ghanaian musician and transgender woman, has revealed that she was compelled to flee Ghana and seek refuge in Germany due to the hostile environment faced by members of the LGBT+ community in the country.
In a video shared on social media, Maxine opened up about the challenges she encountered as a transgender woman in Ghana, describing the experience as akin to warfare.
"I had to leave Ghana so I could find a safe space where I could continue to do my work. Being an openly transgender woman in Ghana i's a warfare.
“I couldn't even walk on the streets, I couldn't join the public bus, I couldn't go to certain places; I couldn't perform at certain places. As a musician, I had people who did not want to associate with me because I was a trans woman," she disclosed.
Maxine expressed deep concern about the safety and well-being of LGBT+ individuals in Ghana, while lamenting the lack of acceptance and inclusivity in society.
"I honestly feel bad for the future of LGBTQ rights in Ghana because as it stands now, we can see that everything going on is political propaganda.
“I don't see why we should now have to run away from our country just to feel safe. I hope that one day all these things will stop so that queer people can live their lives freely and be open, be happy and be able to also add positively to society," she remarked.
Her decision to relocate to Germany follows the approval of an anti-LGBT+ bill by Parliament.
Currently, the bill awaits the approval of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who has delayed his assent due to two suits challenging the constitutionality of the bill at the Supreme Court.
Listen to her in the video below;
Ghana's first openly trans musician, Angel Maxine, says she recently left Ghana to live in Germany when Parliament passed the anti-LGBTQ bill to escape what she describes as daily bullying and harassment.According to her, she couldn't walk on the streets, join public buses, or… pic.twitter.com/KV1kpahD2a — EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) April 8, 2024