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Benin has resisted a growing backlash against LGBTQ people in West Africa
Amid a growing crackdown against queer people in Francophone West Africa, advocates for sexual and gender minorities across the region will be meeting in Cotonou, Benin at the first ever Pride Social Forum from July 28-30, 2026, to raise awareness of the intersectional struggles against heterosexism and patriarchy. The event comes ahead of the World Social Forum scheduled for August 4-8.
Luc Agblakou, one of the founders of the Pride Social Forum, explains the significance of this event in the African context.
Luc Agblakou, one of the founders of the Pride Social Forum. (Photo courtesy of Hirondelle International Benin)
Erasing 76 Crimes: Why organize a Pride Social Forum ahead of the World Social Forum in Cotonou?
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Luc Agblakou: The World Social Forum is the largest platform for global civil society. However, sexual and gender minorities have not had a space of visibility worthy of the name there until now. And there is a systemic invisibility of LGBT+ people that we wish to address this year.
The first Pride Social Forum in July will be dedicated to the fight against anti-gender groups, as there is a lack of systemic response and a lack of a global framework to conceptualize and unite the forces opposing them.
In this context, we have decided to create this space for marginalized communities: people with albinism, people living with disabilities, and LGBT+ people.
Erasing 76 Crimes: Why did you choose to include people with albinism or disabilities?
Luc Agblakou: Among people with albinism, there are also LGBT+ individuals. After careful consideration, we decided that all these struggles must be addressed in an intersectional manner. We want to come together to raise greater awareness of our human rights struggles, rather than remaining scattered. Also, as part of a broad coalition, we believe our voices will be heard more clearly.
Our main objective is to create an inclusive space that lays the groundwork for alternatives to patriarchy and heterosexism in Benin, across Africa, and around the world.
In fact, the theme of the Pride Social Forum will be “Intersectionality in a global context marked by heterosexism and patriarchy: What struggles for what alternatives?”
Erasing 76 Crimes: How has the announcement of the event been received?
Luc Agblakou: At the local level, Beninese authorities are working toward inclusion in Africa and the rights of sexual and gender minorities. Thus, Benin intends to set an example, and we have received support from the Beninese Human Rights Commission. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Justice also support the validity of our initiative.
As for international civil society, as well as that of the subregion, we have already registered 740 participants who wish to join us, whereas we were expecting 500 people.
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In any case, we have provided for both remote and in-person participation options in order to accommodate as many people as possible.
Erasing 76 Crimes: What about the Pride Social Forum’s program?
Luc Agblakou: The topics covered will be extremely diverse: rights of marginalized people, mental and reproductive health, development of protection mechanisms, human rights education for all, intersectionality and the fight against racism, intersectionality and the fight against ableism, promotion of artistic expression, asylum and migration, corporate social and environmental responsibility, among others.
Following this first edition, we hope to establish an international council to strengthen the governance and sustainability of the Pride Social Forum so that we can continue to work collectively on a global scale.
Additional information and news about the Pride Social Forum is available here.
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