JournalRAGE Liberia

Online Platform Dedicated to Love. Equality, and Human Rights in Liberia

Family Seeks Closure, Survivors Yearn for Justice from Brutality of ex-soldier

Family Seeks Closure, Survivors Yearn for Justice from Brutality of ex-soldier

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Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Barnesville-It has been two years since the disappearance of Dominic Renner and Winston Toe on September 24 and October 4, 2020. For Emmanuel Renner, father of Dominic Renner, Thursday, September 24—the last day he saw his eldest son—continues to live in infamy. “It’s kind of hard because things went bad when Dominic went missing,” … [Read more...] about Family Seeks Closure, Survivors Yearn for Justice from Brutality of ex-soldier

LEN Unveils Livelihood Training For Trans Women, Queer Men 

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Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org  Monrovia-The Liberia Equality Network has launched a livelihood training program targeting underprivileged trans women and queer men in slum communities across Monrovia.  LEN is a human rights organization that advocates for marginalized groups.  The program, which includes training in beauty and cosmetology, baking … [Read more...] about LEN Unveils Livelihood Training For Trans Women, Queer Men 

Letter from the Curator: Absence of Justice for LGBT People in Liberia

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Dear World:   Living in Liberia as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender person often means your right or access to justice is ignored and trampled upon in plain sight.  For background, I am the Curator-in-Chief of journalRAGE, an online news outlet whose focus is on the rainbow issues in Liberia.  On August 23, at about 10 pm, a member of … [Read more...] about Letter from the Curator: Absence of Justice for LGBT People in Liberia

journalRAGE Reporter Faces New Attack Following Robbery

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Monrovia-Barely less than a week following a robbery attack against him, journalRAGE’s reporter, Abel Sumo, has come under new attacks at his residence.   Sumo (name changed to protect his identity), 32, was attacked during the early morning hours of August 24 when the roof of his apartment was pelted with a hail of stones by angry youths in his Sinkor … [Read more...] about journalRAGE Reporter Faces New Attack Following Robbery

‘Intent and Desire to Commit Homosexuality’: Officer Charges journalRage Reporter, Seizes Curator’s Phone

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Paynesville-An undercover reporter of journalRAGE who was wrongly charged with ‘intent and desire to commit homosexuality’ when he took a complaint of robbery against a suspect has seen his charges dropped with the main suspect being properly charged.  Abel Sumo, 32 (name changed to protect his identity) was initially charged with ‘intent to commit homosexuality’ by … [Read more...] about ‘Intent and Desire to Commit Homosexuality’: Officer Charges journalRage Reporter, Seizes Curator’s Phone

Liberian Fashion Designer Builds Ethical Brand in Australia

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I was concerned at an early age [about] what I was always wearing as a child, I knew I was a creative person. My late mother loved fashion, colors. I knew I wanted to design clothes for the world in my early years. I have loved artistic work from my early years. My late brother, Nahnkarmu, was a great artist - he could draw anything you ask him - he did brilliant … [Read more...] about Liberian Fashion Designer Builds Ethical Brand in Australia

Court Sentences Anderson to Life Imprisonment for Tubman’s Murder

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Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia- Christian Byron Anderson, the chief suspect in the murder investigation of John Hilary Tubman who was found guilty on June 29, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by Judge Roosevelt Willie of Criminal Court A, according to the New Dawn Newspaper.  Anderson, 30, had been on trial after being linked as the prime … [Read more...] about Court Sentences Anderson to Life Imprisonment for Tubman’s Murder

Jury Finds Suspect Guilty in Tubman’s Murder, ‘Accomplices’ Off The Hook

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Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia-Christian Byron Anderson, the prime suspect in the murder investigation of John Hilary Tubman, has been found guilty of murder, according to the Inquirer Newspaper.  Anderson’s verdict was read in Criminal Court A, Montserrado County where he had been ontrial for the murder of Tubman. The paper stated that Anderson’s guilty … [Read more...] about Jury Finds Suspect Guilty in Tubman’s Murder, ‘Accomplices’ Off The Hook

Gay Rape Is Not Sex!

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By Stephanie C. Horton I define freedom as ways of being human in the world that exist beyond the realm of the juridical and that allow for bodily sovereignty."— Rinaldo Walcott (The Long Emancipation, 2021)By way of background, this writer stands for gay rights in Liberia, and has written several articles that have been published online calling for an end to anti-gay … [Read more...] about Gay Rape Is Not Sex!

Details Emerge on the Planning of Tubman’s Murder

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Gboko Stewart, gboko90@gmail.com  Monrovia - The alleged murder of John Hilary Tubman, son of former Liberian President, William V.S. Tubman, by Christian Byron Anderson, Emmanuel M. Forkey, and Aloysius Garblah was meticulously planned and orchestrated, according to a copy of the indictment by the Grand Jurors of Montserrado County which was obtained by … [Read more...] about Details Emerge on the Planning of Tubman’s Murder

JournalRAGE News Curator Appeals For Support

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By Albert Jones Monrovia – Gboko Stewart, News Curator of the esteemed online human rights news outlet, journalRage, says he needs help and support in order to continue providing unbiased and much-needed coverage of the LGBT community in Liberia. “I do need support to be able to continue what I do,” he said in an interview. “Currently the laptop which I … [Read more...] about JournalRAGE News Curator Appeals For Support

Suspect Claims ‘Sexual Harassment’ in the Murder Investigation of John Tubman

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By Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia-Christian Byron Anderson, 29, the prime suspect who has been on the run in the murder investigation of John H. Tubman, said he was tampered with by the deceased, coercing him to retaliate and commit the heinous act.  “The papay tampered with me and myself I went back at him—I went against him,” he said during an … [Read more...] about Suspect Claims ‘Sexual Harassment’ in the Murder Investigation of John Tubman

Gov’t Contradicts Itself in Murder Investigation of John Tubman

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Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia- The investigation into the murder of John Hilary Tubman, one of the sons of former Liberian President William V.S. Tubman, took a twist near the weekend when the Ministry of Justice ordered a post mortem investigation into his death and that of two others who were also discovered dead in their homes in a fashion akin to the son … [Read more...] about Gov’t Contradicts Itself in Murder Investigation of John Tubman

Police Conduct Autopsy on Former President’s Son

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 By Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia-An autopsy to determine the cause of death of John Tubman, son of former Liberian President, William V.S. Tubman, was conducted on Wednesday, October 13, Police spokesman, H. Moses Carter, has revealed. In a telephone interview, the spokesman of the Liberia National Police highlighted that they are awaiting the … [Read more...] about Police Conduct Autopsy on Former President’s Son

Editorial: Liberia ISN’T SAFE—for LGBT People

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The gruesome murder of the son of a former Liberian President continues to highlight the glaring but often ignored fact that Liberia, Africa’s oldest independent nation, is one of the dangerous places in the world for people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT).  Liberia is amongst 71 countries that still criminalize same-sex sexual … [Read more...] about Editorial: Liberia ISN’T SAFE—for LGBT People

Police Rule Out Hate Crime in Murder of Former President’s Son

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By Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia-The Liberia National Police has ruled out the death of Mr. John Hilary Tubman as a hate crime until a coroner inquest can be performed, says Police spokesman, H. Moses Carter.  “The coroner inquest will be conducted to determine whether there was foul play,” he said. “It should have been yesterday. I am sure it will … [Read more...] about Police Rule Out Hate Crime in Murder of Former President’s Son

LGBTQ Liberian Fired From High Profile US Job

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By Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org with New Narratives One of the most high-profile Liberians in the United States has lost his job after being caught up in the sexual harassment scandal that took down New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Alphonso David, 50, was the head of the Human Rights Campaign, the most powerful group lobbying for the rights of LGBTQ Americans, … [Read more...] about LGBTQ Liberian Fired From High Profile US Job

Ministry of Education, Methodist Church Mum on Expulsion of Teenager

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Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia-Pressure continues to ramp up against the Trinity United Methodist School to reinstate Michael Kanneh following his expulsion from the school. However, the Ministry of Education appears not to be getting involved anytime soon as they have maintained a stony silence on the matter which has kept the Liberian social media abuzz. … [Read more...] about Ministry of Education, Methodist Church Mum on Expulsion of Teenager

Methodist School Expels Student for Cross Dressing

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Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia-A video making the rounds on Facebook has led to the expulsion of a student of the Trinity United Methodist School in New Kru Town, drawing ire from the public.   Michael Kanneh, alias Nuchie Michael, 19, was expelled by the principal of the Trinity United Methodist School for dancing in a video which saw … [Read more...] about Methodist School Expels Student for Cross Dressing

Police Arrest Two Over Brutal Homophobic Attacks on Several Individuals in Paynesville

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Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Paynesville—The case of the brutalization of two men and a teenager by a community watch team in the Gobachop community of Paynesville over unfounded allegations they were gays took a twist on Tuesday, May 11, when the Liberian National Police caught the ringleader of the marauding men. David Korboi, Jr., reportedly the ringleader of … [Read more...] about Police Arrest Two Over Brutal Homophobic Attacks on Several Individuals in Paynesville

Suspected Gay Men, Teenager Brutalize in New Wave of Homophobic Attack

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By Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Paynesville—Daniel Johnson, Richmond Jones, and Joseph David were returning from a wake keeping ceremony in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 8, in the Gobachop community of Paynesville when they were hassled and severely beaten by members of a community watch team over unfounded suspicion they were gays. Daniel (name … [Read more...] about Suspected Gay Men, Teenager Brutalize in New Wave of Homophobic Attack

Did Ex-Soldier ‘Murder’ Dominic Renner and Winston Toe for Being ‘Gay’?

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Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia-It has been nearly five months since Dominic Renner and Winston Toe went missing on September 24, 2020, and October 4, 2020, respectively.  There appears to be no end in sight in the case of the missing men. The only clue of their whereabouts lies with Cheeseman Cole, an ex-soldier of the Armed Forces of Liberia who was … [Read more...] about Did Ex-Soldier ‘Murder’ Dominic Renner and Winston Toe for Being ‘Gay’?

New Online Course: Media Advocacy for LGBTQI+ Equality in Sub-Saharan Africa

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Taboom Media, a global media development and monitoring group, invites you to apply for a spot in our upcoming week-long Media Advocacy for LGBTQI+ Equality workshop. This free and interactive course aims to help civil society organisations from across Sub-Saharan Africa create and implement media advocacy strategies and campaigns that advance LGBTQI+ equality. The course is … [Read more...] about New Online Course: Media Advocacy for LGBTQI+ Equality in Sub-Saharan Africa

Case of Alleged Brutalization of Gay Men Suffers Setback

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Monrovia-The case of the alleged brutalization and torturing of 27 men over their sexuality by Cheeseman Cole, ex-personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia, continues to suffer setbacks as there appears to be a grave lack of interest on the part of the Ministry of Justice to prosecute.  Cole has been released on bail filed by his lawyers.  The case, currently … [Read more...] about Case of Alleged Brutalization of Gay Men Suffers Setback

Ex-Soldier Charged over Brutalization of 27 Persons

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By Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia-Cheeseman Cole, ex-soldier of the Armed Forces of Liberia has been formally charged and forwarded to court. Cole has been charged with Aggravated Assault, Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, Possession, Sale of Physical Objects for Lethal Use, Felonious Restraint, and Theft of Property, according to the charge sheet in … [Read more...] about Ex-Soldier Charged over Brutalization of 27 Persons

Did Police Shoddily Handle Investigation of Cheeseman Cole?

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By Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia-A second search of the residence of Cheeseman Cole yielded no results nor clues into the whereabouts of Dominic Renner and Winston Kortee.  On Friday, October 16, a team from the Liberia National Police accompanied by Emmanuel Renner, father of Dominic, searched the nook and cranny of Cole’s isolated home along the … [Read more...] about Did Police Shoddily Handle Investigation of Cheeseman Cole?

Mystery Over Missing Men Deepens as Police Make a Break

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By Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia-The mystery into the whereabouts of Dominic Renner and Win Kortee continues to deepen as the Liberia National Police appears to have make a break in the case. The disappearance of the duo has been strongly linked to Cheeseman Cole, ex-personnel of the army who was dishonorably discharged for acts of criminality, … [Read more...] about Mystery Over Missing Men Deepens as Police Make a Break

Police Arrest ‘AFL’ Personnel; Two Fear Dead

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By Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia-The Liberia National Police, acting on a complaint—including a writ of arrest, search and seizure warrant—from the family of a missing man and journalRAGE’s story which was lifted on FrontPage Africa, have arrested Cheeseman Cole.  Win Kortee (named modified to protect his identity) reported to be one of … [Read more...] about Police Arrest ‘AFL’ Personnel; Two Fear Dead

‘Army’ Personnel Uses God as Subterfuge to Brutalize 27 Suspected Gay Men

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Monrovia—When Gbada Flomo (name changed to protect his identity) chatted with Cheeseman Cole—a ‘personnel’ of the Armed Forces of Liberia—on Facebook, little did he know it was a booby trap meant to bait him to an obscure location to be deathly beaten and have him robbed of his belongings.   “He used a Facebook’s friend account to chat with me,” said Flomo in a state of … [Read more...] about ‘Army’ Personnel Uses God as Subterfuge to Brutalize 27 Suspected Gay Men

Fashion model to release a book on ‘coming out’ in Liberia

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Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org I was always scared to speak of my sexuality.”TARUS P. COLE “This represents my soul, my passion the pain in me to add value, and to grow. Most of all, it reflects the confidence and strong believe [belief] I have in myself and my potential,”TARUS P. COLE This represents a new level of self-belief. You’ll be seeing a lot of … [Read more...] about Fashion model to release a book on ‘coming out’ in Liberia

journalRAGE, others benefit from SRHR training

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By Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia-In a bid to deepen media practitioners’ knowledge on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), the Liberia Initiative for the Promotion of Rights, Identity, and Equality (LIPRIDE) alongside Stop Aids in Liberia (SAIL), Action Aid-Liberia and the Anti-Aids Media Network conducted a two-day training workshop for a slew of … [Read more...] about journalRAGE, others benefit from SRHR training

Fundraising nets support for Trans community in Liberia

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Monrovia -An online fundraising organized to help the transgender community in Liberia has netted over CAD$400 in support of the transgender community in Liberia. The fundraising, organized by Canadian graphic designer and filmmaker, Raymond Helkio, was based on a plea from the executive director of the Trans Network of Liberia, Madam Karishma Richards-Kwofie, … [Read more...] about Fundraising nets support for Trans community in Liberia

‘Most Liberian men are gay’: Fashion model riles social media

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By Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia-Fashion model, Tarus P. Cole, has riled social media over comments that most Liberian men are gay.  “I can say—I’m not afraid to say it—99 percent of Liberian men—they are gay,” he said, though he did not provide the reliance for his statement.  In a live Facebook interview with the government-owned Liberian … [Read more...] about ‘Most Liberian men are gay’: Fashion model riles social media

From Tanzania With Love: documentary on persecuted trans artist screens in March

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Toronto-Last year Tanzanian authorities arrested fourteen LGBTQ people, jailing them for two weeks, without anyone knowing where they were. One of those people was Dayon Monson, a 24-year-old trans woman, artist and activist who went into hiding, eventually seeking asylum in Canada. Dayon originally captured the authorities attention after appearing in a remake of “Same … [Read more...] about From Tanzania With Love: documentary on persecuted trans artist screens in March

Anonymous donor defrays cost of gay man’s tuition in Liberia

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Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia-A donor, who prefers not to be named, has defrayed the cost of Mohammed Sheriff’s semester 2 tuition to enable him to complete high school, following a meeting arranged by journalRAGE’s founder, Gboko Stewart.   Sheriff was accompanied to the meeting, which was held at an undisclosed location, by Alfred Jones … [Read more...] about Anonymous donor defrays cost of gay man’s tuition in Liberia

Gay man struggles to survive in Liberia amid beating and bullying

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By Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia-Mohammed Sheriff (not his real name) still remembers the day his mother disowned him when she discovered her first child was gay.  “She asked me to moved out and said I was no longer her son,” he said. “She said she can’t have a child who’s into such sexual behavior.”  Petite in height, Sheriff, 22, who had … [Read more...] about Gay man struggles to survive in Liberia amid beating and bullying

Monrovia party goers stoned and beaten over suspicion of being gay

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By Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org Monrovia-Rocheforte Jones, (not his real name), walked into a fence in the quiet suburb of Sinkor to celebrate a friend’s 33rd birthday on Saturday, November 9, when he and others were stoned, beaten and severely wounded by community members over suspicion that they were “gays.” “It was a birthday party, not an LGBT party,” said … [Read more...] about Monrovia party goers stoned and beaten over suspicion of being gay

Fueling the rage with a tinge of kindness: A Letter from the Editor

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Dear Readers, As may of you may have come to know, we run a news service which caters to the exclusive coverage of sexual minority in Liberia, thanks to help from Prof. Ken Harper of Newhouse Center for Global Engagement at Syracuse University. This service, aptly titled journalRAGE, began over a fit of anger felt in a homophobic, biased and … [Read more...] about Fueling the rage with a tinge of kindness: A Letter from the Editor

Did PSI abandon victims of homophobic attack?

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By Gboko Stewart, gboko@journalrage.org  Monrovia-It was a rainy Saturday morning when lanky Mitch Johnson (not his real name) was chased and beaten in a quiet suburb on the outskirts of Monrovia for being gay. Johnson, 31, said he was recovering from an operation of appendicitis when he and some friends huddled in a high-walled fence during the evening hours … [Read more...] about Did PSI abandon victims of homophobic attack?

Transgender Community Mourns Loss of Cute White

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Monrovia-The Liberian transgender community is in a state of shock over the passing of trans socialite, Cute White. I worked very closely with Cute on some community activities and projects. She was dedicated not only to her work but also to the improvement of the lives of trans women in and around Liberia,” Karishma Richards-Kwofie, TNOL executive director Cute, … [Read more...] about Transgender Community Mourns Loss of Cute White

EDITORIAL: Liberia’s LGBT Community Deserves Respect of Its Pride

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Nearly a fortnight ago, Liberia’s gay community celebrated the closure of pride month at a discreet location. So discreet that it called for sexual minorities and allies to clad themselves in black to celebrate the passing of many—some of whom had died from AIDS, suicide, rape, hate crimes, discrimination , lack of access to adequate health care, lack of access to social … [Read more...] about EDITORIAL: Liberia’s LGBT Community Deserves Respect of Its Pride