You Will Die at 30

At 23, trans woman Awo Dufie is outed, homeless, and facing a prophecy that says she will die at 30 — because she is queer. This threat is reinforced by Ghana's social climate and a looming anti-LGBT bill.

Determined to break free from the prophecy, Awo embarks on a risky journey to find an 83-year-old queer elder who didn't just survive decades of hatred and colonial laws — she built a rich life. Can Awo too live long and live free?

This is the first episode of a series on queer elders, produced by openDemocracy. Show Notes Sign up for Radio Workshop’s newsletter on Substack , and connect with us on Instagram and LinkedIn .

Sources: Human Rights Watch - This Alien Legacy Human Dignity Trust, Ghana Modern Ghana - The Bawku Chieftaincy Conflict Needs To Be Resolved Within The Framework Of The 1992 Constitution Amnesty International - Ghana: Anti-LGBTI bill stirs up hatred, persecution and discrimination Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act 2024 , Ghana Purdue University - Social Media and Human Rights Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Rights in Ghana Acknowledgements: Fondation CHANEL, Luminate, Ford Foundation, and Stephen Hendrickson. Special thanks to Rob Byers.

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