Which stories, experiences and forms of knowledge are often overlooked in discussions about the lived realities and rights of LGBTIQ+ people in Africa? The new anthology “Joy, Reflections, Resistance – LGBTIQ+ Lived Realities in Africa. Scholarly and Activist Perspectives”, edited by Mariel Reiss and Ayodele Sogunro, addresses this issue.
Building on the themes of violence, resistance and solidarity, this anthology explores the intersections of knowledge production and transfer in various academic and activist contexts. The contributions offer a variety of methodological, conceptual and normative perspectives on LGBTIQ+ rights and lived experiences. The authors shed light on topics such as the historical development of homophobic and transphobic legislation and practices, their colonial roots, and their ongoing impact on LGBTIQ+ people to this day; queericide in South Africa; and violence against trans people. They also explore the role of parents of trans and gender-diverse children and adolescents, and examine the dismantling of prejudices from a neuroscientific perspective.
The publication was presented on June 18, 2026 as part of a digital book launch. Thiruna Naidoo (Outright International) moderated the event, during which the editors presented the book alongside several authors. They also discussed the genesis of the publication, their respective motivations, and the current challenges facing queer people in Africa. Another key focus was the potential of transnational solidarity and knowledge alliances to strengthen LGBTIQ+ rights.
The publication was produced as part of a webinar series on queer topics, run collaboratively by the University of Marburg and the University of Pretoria. This series promoted exchange between researchers and activists, while also highlighting African experiences and expertise. The TraCe Highlight publication was published by Barbara Budrich Verlag and is available to download via Open Access.