Poems for LGBTQIA Africa by Darnell Ishmel

These poems by Darnell Ishmel are a beautiful expression of the struggle and resilience of the LGBTQIA community in Africa and throughout the African Diaspora. They are a tribute to the courage of those who face hatred, discrimination, and violence simply for being who they are.
These poems are dedicated to all the LGBTQIA people in Africa and throughout the African Diaspora who have been hunted, oppressed, and harmed for their sexual orientation or gender identity. They are a reminder that the fight for equality and acceptance is ongoing, and that the legacy of the African people demands that we break free from this violence.
They are also dedicated to the ancestors, kings, and queens who built great empires and practiced higher science, whose legacy demands that we break free from violence and hatred. These poems celebrate the beauty of diversity and call on us to rise above the hate, fight for our rights, and reclaim our liberation. They are a tribute to the power of love, resilience, and strength in the face of oppression.
The dedication for these poems reads:
To all the LGBTQIA people in Africa and throughout the African Diaspora, who have been hunted, oppressed, and harmed for their sexual orientation or gender identity. May these poems be a tribute to your courage, resilience, and strength in the face of hate and discrimination. May they be a reminder that you are not alone, that your existence is a reminder of the beauty of diversity, and that your struggle is part of a noble legacy that demands that we break free from this violence.