Anuga Donald Womonia, Iddrisu Merri, Konlan Kennedy Dodam
Department of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Legon, Greater Accra Region, Ghana.
PLoS One. 2025 May 29;20(5):e0325148. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0325148. eCollection 2025.
BACKGROUND: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) community members encompass individuals whose sexual orientations and gender identities do not align with the heterosexual norms in society. Even though this population has gained increasing prominence worldwide, most societies particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) abhor these sexual orientations. We explored the self-reported life experiences of members of the LGBTQ+ community in Accra, Ghana. METHODS: In this qualitative enquiry, we recruited fifteen (15) members of the LGBTQ+ community in Accra via purposive snowballing sampling technique. We conducted in-depth interviews using a pre-tested interview guide and the interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted with the aid of NVivo 10.0. RESULTS: The participants recounted their experiences within their individual families, within the LGBTQ+ community, and their experiences with the public in Ghana and as well as within their extended families. The participants claimed that the general society (public) in Ghana stigmatizes against members of the LGBTQ+ community with most families rejecting members who claim to be LGBTQ+ persons. The participants however claimed that the LGBTQ+ community served as a major source of support for them and helped them cope with the rejection and stigma associated with their sexual orientations. They further claimed that the stigma and rejection contributed to poor mental health of most LGBTQ+ persons with most of them seeking asylum in more inclusive and welcoming jurisdictions. CONCLUSION: Members of the LGBTQ+ community in Ghana face stigma and societal pressures in their families and public spaces, creating stress that contributes to mental health challenges. We recommend that the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Ghana Health Service increases public education to improve cultural competence and inclusivity of this vulnerable population in society to reduce stigma and discrimination.
背景：女同性恋、男同性恋、双性恋、跨性别者、酷儿/疑问者（LGBTQ+）群体成员的性取向和性别认同与社会中的异性恋规范不一致。尽管这一群体在全球范围内日益受到关注，但大多数社会，尤其是撒哈拉以南非洲（SSA）的社会厌恶这些性取向。我们探讨了加纳阿克拉LGBTQ+群体成员自我报告的生活经历。 方法：在这项定性研究中，我们通过目的滚雪球抽样技术招募了阿克拉15名LGBTQ+群体成员。我们使用预先测试的访谈指南进行深入访谈，访谈进行录音并逐字转录。借助NVivo 10.0进行主题分析。 结果：参与者讲述了他们在各自家庭、LGBTQ+群体内部的经历，以及他们在加纳与公众以及大家庭中的经历。参与者称，加纳的整个社会（公众）对LGBTQ+群体成员存在污名化，大多数家庭拒绝接纳自称是LGBTQ+的成员。然而，参与者称LGBTQ+群体是他们的主要支持来源，帮助他们应对与性取向相关的排斥和污名。他们还称，这种污名和排斥导致大多数LGBTQ+人群心理健康不佳，其中大多数人在更包容和友好的司法管辖区寻求庇护。 结论：加纳LGBTQ+群体成员在家庭和公共场所面临污名和社会压力，产生的压力导致心理健康问题。我们建议加纳政府通过性别、儿童和社会保护部以及加纳卫生服务局加强公众教育，以提高社会对这一弱势群体的文化能力和包容性，减少污名和歧视。
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