Thoughts on creating community

“It would be good to broaden the LBQ community. I was born and raised in Addis Ababa, but I’ve lived in a regional state. When I was there, there were a lot of women like us, a lot of lesbians, but they didn’t try to make queer friends or meet people. They live their lives by associating queerness with being cursed. It’s when you come to Addis and meet more women like you that you realize that this is real life. The men seem to be doing well, but the women need to catch up. We can use our different skills and do something with them. To be honest, we may get insulted and stuff, but people already know; they’re already insulting us, so we might as well get the job done through the insults. Us LBQ women don’t have a space for ourselves. My gay male friends, because they have their own spaces, are able to do things. I go into their spaces and work on my art. No one says anything to me. In fact, they appreciate and encourage me. I believe there are a lot of women with diverse talents, and it would be great if you could create a community that can work together. I know I’m willing!”

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