This is Liviacathia Koffi, host at an event
In 165 out of 195 countries homosexuality is still forbidden. In the country I was born it is considered 'to be against nature', which is untrue of course because homosexual behaviour is observed in over 90 percent of the animal kingdom. Growing up in such a country is very dangerous because the people that raise you, that are closest to you, will sell you out to the police so you can 'die without mercy'. But luckily now everything is behind me, the battle is not over yet, but I have found new courage, the strength to be heard and supported.
I can even participate in events which is literally like a dream come through. Communities like the one here at @matchbelgium make me feel accepted and help me on the road to accept myself and my right to live in this world.
I would like to end with a quote by Toni Morrison, as I feel that it applies to racism,homophobia, sexism,.. all systems of inequality :
“The function, the very serious function of racism is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps you explaining, over and over again, your reason for being. Somebody says you have no language and you spend twenty years proving that you do. Somebody says your head isn’t shaped properly so you have scientists working on the fact that it is. Somebody says you have no art, so you dredge that up. Somebody says you have no kingdoms, so you dredge that up. None of this is necessary. There will always be one more thing.”
Instagram : @livi_cameleo_228
Text by Liviacathia Koffi
Photo by Marijn Achten
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