Fannyann had spent time in southern Africa as a refugee from hostilities in Sierra Leone and visited the offices of GALZ in Zimbabwe to learn from them how to mobilise in a hostile environment. "Fannyann was an activist in the real sense of the word." Said Keith Goddard, the director of GALZ in a tribute to Fannyann. "She dedicated herself to the cause of normalizing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in society through direct action and she was an example to those of us who play the victim and claim that nothing is possible in the hostile climates in which we exist. In 2002 she came to the GALZ Offices in Harare, Zimbabwe looking for assistance in the setting up of an LGBT group in her home country, Sierra Leone. It was obvious she had all the determination and willpower to do so. Even in Zimbabwe, where she was a refugee, she brushed with members of our police force and others who tried to threaten her because she was lesbian. Naturally, she refused to be intimidated." Even though Fannyann had the opportunity to remain in southern Africa she chose to return to Sierra Leone, a country which she loved deeply. In an interview published on Behind the Mask shortly after her visit to Johannesburg for the All Africa Symposium in February this year she named Sierra Leone as her favourite place in the world. In the same interview when asked about the inspiration for her career she answered. "My dreams! I hope to see more women being liberated or stand for what they believe in and hope to see a universe free of discrimination, torture and violence."
Profile: Fannyann Eddy - Educator and Activist founder of the Sierra Leone Lesbian And Gay Association (SLLAGA)Why do you think it is important for you to be the gal next door? To give inspiration to lesbians in AfricaNickname/ preferable name: Fannyann Born/ D.O.B: 14 June 1974 Place & country of birth: Freetown Sierra Leone Star sign: Gemini Hobbies: reading, music, travelling, meeting people, learning new stuff, making friendsHow many languages do you speak? (Pls. list them): English, French, Krio and a bit of SwahiliHow do you identify yourself? A woman who loves women (people call lesbian)Is your family aware of your sexual orientation? Yes Do you believe in the butch and femme roles? (Roles in lesbian affairs) Yes coz there is always a domineering partnerAny role models? My (late) foster mother, she was very intelligent, had lots of self confidence and very independent.Biggest influence on career? My dreams! I hope to see more women being liberated or stand for what they believe in and hope to see a universe free of discrimination, torture and violence.Academic Qualifications? Educationist, Business Administrative and marketing and now LGBT activistHow is the attitude of your colleagues when there are functions at work (e.g.when you do not pitch up with a boyfriend)? Before they were curious but now they don't bother me any more.What brought you to South Africa? I'm here for a conference.Have you ever travelled in other African states before you came here? Yes. I have been to at least 12 African countries.What is the state of queer people in your country? Many people are still in the closet and are not really prepared to come out yet.How many lesbians have you met in your country and that you interact with and how did you meet them? I have met with quite a few but they are not prepared to come out yet.I hear that you were chosen to become the West African representative for AARI (All Africa Rights Initiative), how did you feel when you were told about the position and what sort of role/s are you prepared to play? I felt it was quite a challenging position. I feel that it will give me an open door to inspire LGBT Africans to stand for their rights to equality.During the symposium there was a Women's Caucus, why was that and what sort of issues did women want to discuss alone in the absence of gay men? The women caucus was to bring all women present at the symposium to discuss issues affecting not only lesbians or bisexual women, but women in general. Women demanded the space to be alone to discuss these issues without the presence of the men because we feel we need to have more time to understand our issues i.e. to open up to each other and find ways in which these issues can be addressed together as women.You are also involved in the African Lesbian Alliance (ALA), what is it exactly, where did it all start and what are the future plans of the Alliance? The ALA is a group of women from 18 African countries that came together to discuss the problems lesbians face and how we can address those issues as lesbians within our continent and to widen our networks as African Lesbians.Issue of HIV/AIDS, what do you think of that? HIV/AIDS was first perceived to be a gay disease, but as it is, everyone should be educated and be involved in the fight against the epidemic because it is a global issue and it does not discriminate.Do you think lesbians are at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and how can they get it? Of course lesbians are at risk of contaminating the disease because as you know in Africa, women are mostly forced into sex because of culture, tradition or economy. In Africa, women are mostly not given the chance to choose for themselves what they want but rather they have to live their lives to society's expectations.What problems do lesbians in your country face on daily basis? If you identify yourself as a lesbian, you would face being neglected by your family, being harassed by men and society. They feel that you are a rebellious woman who does not want to be controlled by a man.Have you ever heard about Gay Games? Yes Do you have any desire to participate in the Gay Games one day, if you are a sportsperson? YesHave you ever travelled abroad to participate in Gay and Lesbian Conferences or events? No. Except for the South African symposium.Have you ever encountered any kind of discrimination or racism in your country because of your status (being a lesbian)? Of course, but I don't allow that to stop me from being who I am and what I choose to be.When you engage in sex, do you practice any safer sex at all? Sometimes I do. Before when I didn't have knowledge about HIV and STI's, I just had the impression that I cannot have infection from another woman but as it is now I know there are various ways the virus can be transmitted so I am very careful now.Do you know anything about hate crimes, and how is it in your country? Hate crimes are not much addressed in my country even though they do occur. Like quite recently a boy was arrested and was detained by the police because he was dressed up as a girl and was suspected to be gay. Before the police picked him up, he was beaten up by some people around, who said he was practicing homosexuality and should be punished. The police never arrested the people who beat him up. I feel that it was not fair.Favourite place or country? Sierra LeoneLeast favourite venue? None so farMain complaint about lesbianism? It hurts when a lesbian witnessing discrimination against another lesbian and does nothing about it and pretend not to be a lesbian.Most embarrassing moment? I was embarrassed when a lady walked up to me in a club and just shouted, "I would like to fuck you, I love you and want you to be my baby." I was so embarrassed because I felt that that was not a way to approach someone in public.Other interests? I treasure my workWhich two people would you like to meet outside your work (prominent African leader/s for instance? Queen Latifah and Nelson MandelaPet hates/likes? None so farFavourite music and musicians? Celine DionFavourite food? foofoo and okraFavourite drink? Coca ColaFavourite holiday destination? Zimbabwe and Cape TownWhat do you read at the moment? Sydney Sheldon "other side of midnight"Motto in life? PerseveranceIn conclusion share with us the lesbian culture in Sierra Leone. What do you do for fun, which places do you go to? For fun, we normally have organised parties.Do you have any possible future plans or running an organisation or social club for like-minded women? Yes. There is already the Sierra Leone lesbian and gay Association, which I am the founder and the coordinator. This is a non-profit and non-governmental organisation advocating for the rights and needs of the LGBT community in Sierra Leone.Lastly - As an African do you follow any traditional cultures? Yes! I do visit the grave of my ancestors annually if I am in the country.Do you perhaps belong to one of the tribes? Yes. I am a Creole. That is the slave decendant.Is there anyone in your family who was a lesbian? No, well, not that I know of. But there is my cousin who lives in Canada. She is also a lesbian and her mother thinks we've been influenced some how.Does your family suspect something and how many of you are there in your family( what sort of relationship do you have with your sibling(s)? My family knows my sexual identity. They are not happy about it but they have no choice because it is my life. We are two in my family. I am the first born then my brother.What sort of upbringing did you have as a child? My mum got me when she was quite young at the age of 12. I was then adopted by my aunt who has since passed on, whom I knew as my mother. And she is my role model. Not that she was a lesbian, but she was a woman of substance who was so independent well educated and disciplined.About the place where you live in now, is it a city or middle class kind of setting? I live in the western area of Freetown. It is the quiet part of the city.