In a heartbreaking tale of vulnerability and resilience, a viral TikTok video has exposed the harsh reality faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Ethiopia, where homosexuality remains illegal and punishable by severe penalties. The video, initially posted on Instagram without consent, depicted two men joyfully dancing at a social event in Addis Ababa. Unbeknownst to them, it would set off a chain reaction of homophobia, endangering lives and forcing one young man to flee his homeland.
Arnold, a 20-year-old Ethiopian student, found himself inadvertently thrust into the public eye when the video went viral on TikTok. “I didn’t want to come out [as gay], but social media pulled me out,” he laments, highlighting the perilous consequences of disclosing one’s sexual identity in a culture where vigilante justice often prevails.
The consequences of this involuntary outing were swift and brutal. Arnold was physically attacked, and his personal safety was in jeopardy. The situation escalated further when another TikTok video surfaced, outing him and several others from the same event. Fearing for his life, Arnold made the agonizing decision to flee his home.
A Global Network of Support
Arnold’s story is not unique. Many LGBTQ+ Africans find themselves outed on social media against their will, facing threats, violence, and discrimination. In response to this alarming trend, a group of Europe-based Ethiopian gay volunteers, known as House of Guramayle, has emerged. They work tirelessly to secure funds and safe passage for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking to escape persecution in Ethiopia.
Faris Cuchi Gezahegn, a co-founder of House of Guramayle, underscores the involuntary nature of coming out for many LGBTQ+ Africans. They highlight the disturbing content that has circulated on TikTok, including videos depicting violence and calls for public humiliation of LGBTQ+ individuals. Language barriers have hindered efforts to remove such content promptly, but Gezahegn and their organization actively collaborate with social media companies to address the issue.
TikTok’s Complex Role
TikTok, with its growing popularity in Africa, has become both a tool for self-expression and a platform for discrimination. Several African countries have considered or implemented bans on the app, citing various concerns, including political unrest and the spread of immoral content. However, some LGBTQ+ individuals affected by the platform’s negative aspects are reluctant to see it banned altogether, recognizing its potential for education and advocacy.
Arnold, despite his traumatic experience, envisions a future where he can return to Ethiopia to study psychology and human rights, driven by a desire to help his community. His hope is that, one day, others won’t have to endure the pain he experienced, and that TikTok can be a platform for understanding and acceptance rather than hatred and persecution.
As the LGBTQ+ community in Ethiopia and across Africa continues to face adversity, the struggle for acceptance and human rights persists, with social media platforms like TikTok playing a complex role in both exacerbating and alleviating their challenges.