Belonging: Gender, Sex & Spirituality

When Law Erases Culture: What Ghana’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill ThreatensIn this week's episode of Belonging: Gender, Sex and Spirituality, we had the privilege of speaking with a Ghanaian traditional priestess and healer whose story has stayed with me.Her words challenge one of the most persistent—and harmful—claims shaping currentdebates in Ghana: that queerness is “un-African.”It is not.Within many indigenous spiritual traditions, gender and sexuality have long beenunderstood as fluid, relational, and deeply connected to the spiritual world. As she explained, spiritual embodiment can include same-sex intimacy, gender variance and roles shaped by one’s relationship with a deity.In her words:“It has been like that before Christianity came, before colonization came.”This matters.Because the proposed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Ghana is not only about regulating identity—it risks criminalizing indigenous knowledge systems and spiritual practices thatpredate colonial influence.It is important to name this clearly: much of the stigma now directed at LGBTQ+ communities is itself a legacy of colonial-era Christianity, which labeled traditional practices as “evil” and reshaped cultural norms accordingly.Today, that history is being codified into law.And the consequences are real.The communities most at risk include traditional practitioners—many of them women—who already face marginalization, limited access to formal education, and vulnerability to exploitation. As fear grows around the pending bill, so too does the risk of violence, surveillance, and silencing.“If this bill should be passed, we don’t know what will happen… a lot of bad things will be happening to us.” Naa Busuafi told us.At stake is more than policy.At stake is whether a society remembers its own cultural and spiritual complexity—or allows it to be erased.At stake is whether belonging is defined narrowly through law, or more expansivelythrough history, humanity, and relationship.For those of us working in fields like leadership, human rights, healthcare, education, and faith communities - this moment calls for thoughtful engagement.It calls for: Listening to indigenous voices, recognizing the layered impacts of colonial history.Supporting those working on the ground to educate and protect vulnerable communities and perhaps most importantly, it calls for humility.Because sometimes the most important thing we can do is not to speak for others—but to ensure that their voices are heard.#Belonging #HumanRights #Leadership #Inclusion #Africa #LGBTQ #CulturalHeritage

Belonging Episode 6 with Dr Anima AdjepongAs Ghana moves closer to passing one of the world’s harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws, Dr. Anima Adjepong reminds us: Ghana is not a monolith.Alongside repression, there are pockets of resistance — quiet acts of care, courage, and solidarity that refuse silence.Because this bill doesn’t just criminalize identity — it criminalizes support itself.Silence is not neutral🎙️http://linkedin.com/in/anima-adjepong⁠

Belonging Episode 6 with Dr Anima AdjepongAs Ghana moves closer to passing one of the world’s harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws, Dr. Anima Adjepong reminds us: Ghana is not a monolith.Alongside repression, there are pockets of resistance — quiet acts of care, courage, and solidarity that refuse silence.Because this bill doesn’t just criminalize identity — it criminalizes support itself.Silence is not neutral🎙️http://linkedin.com/in/anima-adjepong

Episode 5 of belonging: gender, sex & spirituality is here.In this deeply reflective conversation, Imam Amar Alfikar joins us to explore the intersections of faith, identity, and the human search for belonging. Together, we unpack how gender and sexuality are understood within spiritual spaces, the tensions that can arise, and the possibilities for compassion, inclusion, and transformation.This episode invites you to sit with complexity, challenge assumptions, and reimagine what it means to belong - to ourselves, to our communities, and to the sacred.Listen now.

Episode 5 of belonging: gender, sex & spirituality is here.In this deeply reflective conversation, Imam Amar Alfikar joins us to explore the intersections of faith, identity, and the human search for belonging. Together, we unpack how gender and sexuality are understood within spiritual spaces, the tensions that can arise, and the possibilities for compassion, inclusion, and transformation.This episode invites you to sit with complexity, challenge assumptions, and reimagine what it means to belong - to ourselves, to our communities, and to the sacred.Listen now.

@sarojini.nadarA powerful conversation on gender & spirituality - more specifically the danger of theology in the wrong hands, including it's potential for justice in the right ones.Join us for this weeks Episode of Belonging! Please like & subscribe!!!https://belonging-gender-sex-spirituality.start.page

@sarojini.nadarA powerful conversation on gender & spirituality - more specifically the danger of theology in the wrong hands, including it's potential for justice in the right ones.Join us for this weeks Episode of Belonging! Please like & subscribe!!!https://belonging-gender-sex-spirituality.start.page

Episode 3 of Belonging is here!In this conversation, Mark Gevisser joins us to explore identity, queerness, and what it truly means to belong - in South Africa and beyond.Join us for this weeks episode that is - Honest, Thought-provoking & Necessary.WATCH BELONGING EPISODE 3 NOW!

Episode 3 of Belonging is here!In this conversation, Mark Gevisser joins us to explore identity, queerness, and what it truly means to belong - in South Africa and beyond.Join us for this weeks episode that is - Honest, Thought-provoking & Necessary.WATCH BELONGING EPISODE 3 NOW!

“Exploring gender, sex, and sexuality identities in an African context” Exploring The SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) universe because dignity and belonging are central to ethical care.⁠https://desmondtutuhealthfoundation.org.za/admin-dthf/news/lgbtqi-sogi-universe/⁠

“Exploring gender, sex, and sexuality identities in an African context” Exploring The SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) universe because dignity and belonging are central to ethical care.⁠https://desmondtutuhealthfoundation.org.za/admin-dthf/news/lgbtqi-sogi-universe/⁠

Introducing Belonging: Gender, Sex & Spirituality. Hosts Mpho Tutu van Furth and Marceline Tutu van Furth introduce Belonging - a podcast exploring identity, spirituality, and the human search for connection.Across differences of culture, race, and belief, they ask a simple but profound question: What allows us to belong — to ourselves and to one another?Welcome to Belonging!

Introducing Belonging: Gender, Sex & Spirituality. Hosts Mpho Tutu van Furth and Marceline Tutu van Furth introduce Belonging - a podcast exploring identity, spirituality, and the human search for connection.Across differences of culture, race, and belief, they ask a simple but profound question: What allows us to belong — to ourselves and to one another?Welcome to Belonging!

Coming March 5!