Forty Africans Who Changed Queer History – June 2026

From Minority Africa

From a 17th-century Angolan queen to a Ghanaian musician in exile, this June, we’re revisiting some of the lives that shaped and continue to shape what it means to be queer and African.

What is queer African history and who are the people who make it?

From a queen who ruled as a king, a drag performer who disappeared into the forest and emerged transformed and a photographer who was intent on reshaping how we understand the black queer body, we’re telling some of their stories.

Some of their names are well known. Others were known only to their communities, or only became known after they were gone. Some are still here, still organizing, still making work, still refusing.

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