PLEASE DONATE: We bring hope to abused Nigerian trans women

Mike Daemon is the pseudonym of the founder and presenter…

Two trans women, released from prison, were helped to reopen their once-vandalized hair salon

CLICK to receive an email notice of each new Erasing 76 Crimes article

Trans women Helen and Uchechi at their new salon. Their faces have been blurred to protect their identity. — **Trans women Helen and Uchechi at their new salon. Faces have been blurred to protect the identity of the women and their clients.**

In a remarkable turn of events, two Nigerian trans women who endured a harrowing experience in Port Harcourt Prison after being accused of violating the law prohibiting same-sex intercourse have emerged with newfound hope and opportunities for a brighter future.

Helen and Uchechi, as they are pseudonymously known for their safety, are two of the 13 innocent victims of African homophobia that this site’s Project Not Alone 2023 began working to set free, starting last May.

Fundraising is under way for this site’s activist journalists, whose hands-on work provides the foundation for Project Not Alone’s advocacy on behalf of innocent LGBTQ prisoners such as Helen and Uchechi.

PLEASE DONATE so we can continue this work.

The trans couple’s ordeal began in April, when their hair salon was vandalized by community youths who condemned them for being transgender. Subsequently, Helen and Uchechi were arrested under Section 217 of the Nigerian Criminal Code, which prohibits same-sex activities between men — a crime punishable by a seven-year prison sentence.

However, the St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation, through readers’ donations to its Project Not Alone, stepped in to offer support. Project Not Alone supports innocent imprisoned victims of African anti-homosexuality laws.

Legal proceedings followed, during which the young transgender women entered a plea and paid a fine, resulting in a reduced sentence. The foundation provided crucial financial assistance, enabling the women to pay their fines and cover their essential needs, including food and medical bills.

Their incarceration lasted two months and two weeks, after which they were released on July 12. To ensure their safety and well-being, the Care & Dignity Foundation (CDF), a rural-based transgender group in Port Harcourt, provided the two trans women with temporary shelter at a safe house.

However, Helen’s post-release struggles, including health issues and thoughts of suicide, painted a bleak picture.

“I can’t endure this life of begging to survive. I don’t believe I deserve this,” she said, highlighting the immense challenges she faced.

Recognizing the ongoing difficulties, the St. Paul’s Foundation extended further support to Helen and Uchechi. The foundation not only provided financial assistance for their immediate welfare but also helped them set up a new salon, offering a glimmer of economic independence.

Although the two trans women find themselves temporarily homeless, staying at their new salon, their spirits remain high.

QTalk: Nigerian pastor fights for identity after church rejection

Helen and Uchechi are thankful for the support they’ve received, acknowledging the positive turn their lives have taken.

“I can’t believe, after everything that happened to us, we would ever get here. A new salon and a place to lay my head. I know things will surely get better. I am so happy and thankful for everything and the support I have received. God is really in control,” Uchechi said, encapsulating the resilience and optimism that have become integral to their journey.

Work such as this is made possible by this news site’s financial sponsor, the St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation, which is seeking donations to continue the work for LGBTQ+ rights, equality and acceptance, especially in Africa and the Caribbean.

Please DONATE to help us reach our fundraising goal of $5,000, which will allow the advocacy journalists whom we support to continue their work into next year. They are active in Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, the Caribbean and in French-speaking Africa. It is an important time for LGBTQ rights, with harsh new anti-homosexuality bills threatened in Ghana and Niger, while court action challenging homophobic laws are under way in Uganda, Tunisia, Malawi and several Caribbean nations.

PLEASE DONATE NOW: Donations are needed to continue supporting our advocacy journalists and operating the websites that deliver their articles to readers. Here are ways to make a donation supporting LGBTQ rights (tax-deductible in the U.S.):