Africa: 'Avoid Using the Term' - Oxfam in Africa Retracts LGBTQ Censorship Guide

Bangkok — "Oxfam in Africa has departed from the values that govern the Oxfam Confederation."

Oxfam in Africa has walked back internal guidelines that would have barred staff from mentioning LGBTQ rights in public, work-related communications.

"No proactive communications linking Oxfam's brand in Africa or Africans to LGBTQIA+ issues and its derivatives," instructs a now-shelved communications guide circulated among Africa-based country directors on 1 June, which The New Humanitarian has seen.

The guide's key restrictions were addressed to "everyone across the Oxfam Confederation". Oxfam in Africa (OiA) includes over a dozen country offices and is one of several regional platforms under Oxfam International. Oxfam International is one of more than 20 member organisations within the wider confederation.

The purpose of the 10-page guide, it states, was "not to step away from Oxfam's values", but to keep the organisation's work "context-sensitive" and avoid creating risks to LGBTQ communities, partners, and staff in Africa.

Anti-LGBTQ legislation and sentiment are advancing across Africa, fuelled by a powerful interfaith coalition backed by the US Christian right. Uganda, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Senegal have introduced or passed severe anti-LGBTQ laws in recent years. On 29 May, Ghana's parliament passed a sweeping anti-LGBTQ bill that, if signed into law, would make "promoting" LGBTQ activities punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

"Public perceptions that Oxfam is promoting positions that are viewed as inconsistent with prevailing social, cultural or religious norms may affect acceptance of our programmes, access to communities, and the sustainability of partnerships," the communications guide states.

The guide was the latest move in a multiyear effort by OiA leaders to restrict advocacy for LGBTQ rights in Africa, current and former Oxfam staff told The New Humanitarian. They said these restrictions have left staff feeling afraid to openly support LGBTQ causes. An anonymous whistleblower group shared evidence of LGBTQ-related censorship going back to early 2024.

"Oxfam in Africa has departed from the values that govern the Oxfam Confederation," the group said.

Numerous Oxfam entities openly support LGBTQ rights. Oxfam South Africa, which is separate from OiA, seeks to end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and has recently posted pro-LGBTQ content on social media. Oxfam in Ghana, which is now part of OiA, published a social media post celebrating movements working to end violence against trans and non-binary people in late 2021,