This report was commissioned by the European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups being concerned, that the voices of LGBT Christians from Western Africa were not well heard in the on-going discussion about the Family Synod of the Roman Catholic Church. It presents current experiences of LGBT Catholics living in the region and their opinions on the Family Synod. The findings are based on interviews conducted by Davis Mac-Iyalla with Catholic LGBT people in Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria held from 14−31 March 2015.1

Country Reports:

Ghana

Togo

Benin

Nigeria

Conclusions

West_Africa_map22

Davis Mac-Iyalla is a Nigerian Anglo/Catholic gay Christian and founder of Changing Attitudes Nigeria working for the affirmation and inclusion of LGBT people within the church and wider society. Due to persecution because of his sexuality he fled Nigeria in 2006 to neighbouring Togo to continue his activist work but due to further persecution and threats against his life he sought asylum in the UK in the summer of 2008. In April 2015 he was naturalised as a British Citizen. He is a well-known gay Christian Activist, researcher and author and is often asked to speak on the plight of LGBT Christians in West Africa. Davis lives in London.