I am unsure how to start this article. There are so many thoughts available in my mind that will result in hundreds of different experiences of Berlin pouring onto this page. It may be because I am still determining if I want to write about the weeks leading to Berlin, the week in Berlin itself, or paint a picture of what life is like since Berlin.

I do know that I want to say “thank you” to our hosts Chris, the Rev Silke, and the Rev Bertold, all the people of Berlin who came to listen to us, thanked me for my work and walked with me during the parade, and the amazing activists I got the chance to be on a panel with. I want to talk about the street I lived on for barely a week and the peace it gave me to walk down from my hotel room. I want to talk about the sweet beer and champagne and how they overflowed at the church's gates after the community communed. I can sum it up in one word; FREEDOM.

Berlin was freedom. My experiences in the city showed me what freedom looks like. It also taught me what doing community work for a purpose felt like and what living and not trying to survive is. Additionally, I saw what government aid and a thriving community could be. As I type this piece, my heart yearns for every queer Ghanaian and every local activist. However, at the same time, there's joy, peace, hope, and love for who I am, for my work, the fight we keep on fighting, and the barriers we are shattering.

Queer people in Ghana and local activists have been under pressure forever! The source of our recent headache can be traced to a bill tabled before the parliament of the 4th republic of Ghana, titled “The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill.” It seeks to criminalize and impose wide-ranging restrictions on the fundamental human rights of queer folks and their supporters and advocates in any form. Coming out as queer will result in a jail term. Additionally, providing health care to someone who comes out as queer can result in jail time for the service provider. The bill seeks to replace the criminal code section 104, which describes penalties for unnatural carnal knowledge. This code is a prehistoric remnant of colonial laws. The bill was drafted and presented by 8

members of parliament through the private members' bill and is staunchly backed by religious leaders, especially of the Evangelical Christian sect.

To see local activism in Berlin, witness the church's support, and taste the freedom from oppression is fuel to continue to organize, never hold the lines, and stand firm because I know that freedom is possible. We are all BORN FREE AND EQUAL. Cheers.

Bio:

Tray is a local activist in Ghana who believes in the ethos of “leave no one behind.” Her work centers queer and marginalized folks and is anchored by her unwavering sense of justice, the support of the community, and the safety of love. She has a mental illness that usually dictates how her every day goes, but she strives to live every day as it comes. She believes in never holding the lines, community support, and freedom.

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