One trans woman's fight against a bill that would criminalise Ghana's LGBT+ community

Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi, 40, a trans woman who is an artist and LGBT+ activist, stands inside her wardrobe at her home and studio in Oduom, Ashanti Region-Ghana, December 22, 2021. I call it the 'Anti-Human' bill," said Fiatsi, who is a former Christian pastor. "It takes away from our family values of being a tolerant country, and being hospitable and loving." No longer welcome at the churches where she used to preach, Fiatsi channels her evangelism into art and activism. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko

In a dimly-lit room with racks of women's clothing, Ghanaian artist and LGBT+ activist Va-Bene Elikem Fiatsi flipped through photo self-portraits illustrating her transition to womanhood.

Transitioning is not illegal in Ghana, but it will become so if a new law is passed, intended to tighten already strict anti-LGBT+ regulations which render same-sex relations illegal.