16.06.2026 Virtual Book Launch and Dialogue: Joy, Reflections, Resistance – LGBTIQ+ Lived Realities in Africa: Scholarly and Activist Perspectives

Dignity Network Canada, in collaboration with the Center for Gender Studies and Feminist Futures and the Center for Conflict Studies at Philipps University Marburg, Germany, and the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, invites participants to a special virtual edition of Dignity in Dialogue celebrating the launch of the new open-access volume, Joy, Reflections, Resistance – LGBTIQ+ Lived Realities in Africa: Scholarly and Activist Perspectives.

18 June | 4:00 PM CEST | Online

Co-edited by Dr. Mariel Reiss and Dr. Ayodele Sogunro, the book brings together scholarly and activist perspectives on the diverse lived realities of LGBTIQ+ communities across Africa. The publication emerged from the Pretoria–Marburg Queer Conversations webinar series, an initiative dedicated to fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange between academics and activists while centering African experiences, expertise, and leadership.

The event will feature contributions from several authors and contributors to the volume:

• Naledi Mpanza (Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria)
• Monica Tabengwa (UNDP)
• Adrian Jjuuko (Makerere University)
• Khanyisile Phillips (Independent Activist)
• Belinda Qaqamba Makinana (Gender Dynamix)
• Madeleine Muller (Walter Sisulu University)

The discussion will be moderated by Thiruna Naidoo (Outright International).

During the session, the editors and contributors will reflect on the motivations behind the book, explore the contemporary realities facing queer communities across Africa, and discuss possibilities for transnational solidarity in a rapidly changing global context.

The conversation will address key questions, including:

• What can international audiences learn from the resilience, creativity, and leadership of queer activists across Africa?
• How can international allies engage in meaningful solidarity while respecting local contexts and priorities?
• What role can scholarship play in advancing dignity, inclusion, and human rights?

Registration

Participants can register for the event here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejuWTFEfSgu2W_qRZpMBb_sf9ByR3am6m0uaNMdBavHO30QA/viewform

Open-Access Book Download

The book is available free of charge and can be downloaded here:

https://shop.budrich.de/en/product-2/joy-reflections-resistance-lgbtiq-lived-realities-in-africa/

The organizers warmly encourage colleagues, students, activists, and interested members of the public to join the conversation and share this invitation within their networks.