LGBT+ people existed freely in Africa before colonialism brought discrimination to the continent

The discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex in Africa has resulted in many of us being stripped of our dignity, with limited access to sexual and reproductive health services.

But a study published January of this year analysing regional enforceable treaties, from the "African Charter on Human and People's Rights" adopted in 1981 to "Agenda 2063; The Africa We Want", found none of them explicitly forbid discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

Not specifically stating that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression is forbidden allows more room for the fostering hate against LGBT+ people.

In April 2015 the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights gave a South African NGO called the Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL) observer status, the first openly LGBT+ organisation to be granted this.

When African states, allies and human rights defenders choose to be silent over the fact that we are denied protection from discrimination, our access to fundamental services like decent sanitation and hygiene, healthcare, and subsequently our right to dignity and life, are limited.