This episode of The Outsiders shines a spotlight on Fisayo, a project officer for an NGO in Lagos, Nigeria. Fisayo's impactful work improving healthcare access and availability for the LGBTQ+ community takes centre stage. We delve into Fisayo's personal journey, from starting as a volunteer to assuming the role of project officer, while shedding light on the challenges he is facing working with queer people. This episode underscores the vital role of NGOs in bridging healthcare gaps for marginalised communities while recognising the lack of trans representation at the management level of these NGOs. We also explore the crucial need for gender-affirming care, including access to hormone therapy such as oestrogen and testosterone for trans people, and the challenges faced by the community in terms of safe accommodation and medication usage. Fola Francis, a trans woman, takes us through these experiences, including how many queer people have to rely on being referred or connecting with therapists outside of the country to get access to non-discriminatory mental health support.

Trigger Warning: This episode addresses sensitive issues.

Hosted by Todah Opeyemi

Key Timestamps

[00:01:26] Bridging healthcare gaps for LGBTQ+.

[00:06:07] Discriminatory laws in Nigeria.

[00:10:31] HIV and AIDS containment.

[00:18:31] Gender-affirming healthcare in Nigeria.

[00:19:30] Trans healthcare in Nigeria.

[00:25:33] LGBTQ+ healthcare access in Nigeria.

[00:28:46] Overcoming fear in Nigeria.

Selected Quotes

• "There are people who choose not to come to [queer-friendly clinics] because the SSMPA says 14 years. I can tell you that like 85% of the people who are coming to access service for the first time are scared because they feel, Oh, what if this is an avenue for me to get arrested and all of that?"
• "What has been the most challenging for me, I would say, is trying to help people cope after [HIV] diagnosis. I mean, I'm not a mental health specialist and all of that, so I just do the little I can do in my own way."
• "Healthcare is almost non-existent when it comes to trans people in Nigeria because healthcare for trans, non-binary people is almost non-existent in this part of the world, in Nigeria."
• "So many trans people basically have to DIY gender affirming care, which is even dangerous, which is very dangerous."
• "When it comes to things like sexuality and gender identity, it's like [health professionals] just zone out and don't know about them."
• "We just need to keep showing up for ourselves in the ways that we have been doing and continually, you know, saying that we are queer, we are here, and we are not going anywhere. And we are not going to stop talking."

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