FannyAnn Eddy
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Fannyann Eddy (1974 - 2004) was an activist for lesbian and gay rights in her native Sierra Leone and throughout Africa. She founded Sierra Leone's first Lesbian and Gay Association and she traveled widely, addressing the United Nations and other international groups.
"We live in fear within our communities," Eddy testified before the U.N., "where we face constant harassment and violence from neighbors and others. Their homophobic attacks go unpunished by authorities, further encouraging their discriminatory and violent treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people."
Eddy was murdered on September 28, 2004, shortly after giving a speech about the threats of violence faced by lesbians and gays in Sierra Leone. A group of at least three men broke into her office, gang-raped her, stabbed her, and eventually broke her neck.
Eddy left behind a 9-year-old son and her partner Esther.
[edit] See also
- LGBT rights in Sierra Leone
- Hirschfeld Eddy Foundation, a Human Rights Foundation for Lesbians and Gays
- Violence against LGBT people