She Called Me Woman

She Called Me Woman is a collection of narratives from queer Nigerian women, documenting their experiences and perspectives through first-person accounts. The book features 25 anonymous interviews that span different regions, religions, and social classes across Nigeria. The narratives cover topics including family relationships, romance, violence, religion, mental health, and the intersection of cultural traditions with LGBTQ+ identity. These accounts reflect both the daily realities and significant moments that shape the lives of queer women in contemporary Nigerian society. The stories combine to form a portrait of resilience and community in a nation where same-sex relationships are criminalized and stigmatized. Through personal testimonies rather than academic analysis, this book expands the documented history of African LGBTQ+ experiences and challenges oversimplified narratives about gender and sexuality in Nigeria.

Readers highlight this collection's unique perspective on LGBTQ+ Nigerian women's experiences, with many noting it fills a gap in queer African literature. What readers liked: - Raw, honest personal accounts - Diverse range of voices and experiences - Cultural context and intersectionality - Documentation of underground LGBTQ+ communities - Balance between hardship and hope What readers disliked: - Some narratives feel repetitive - A few stories end abruptly - Translation choices occasionally impact flow Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (67 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (12 ratings) Reader comments: "These stories needed to be told and heard" - Goodreads reviewer "Important historical record of queer life in Nigeria" - Amazon reviewer "Would have benefited from tighter editing" - Goodreads reviewer The book resonates particularly with African LGBTQ+ readers who note seeing their experiences reflected for the first time in print.

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🔖 "She Called Me Woman" is a groundbreaking collection of 25 first-person narratives from queer Nigerian women, giving voice to stories rarely heard in West African literature 📚 The book's title is inspired by Alice Walker's "The Color Purple," specifically the relationship between Celie and Shug Avery 🌍 Editor Azeenarh Mohammed conducted interviews across Nigeria's diverse regions, capturing perspectives from different ethnic groups, religions, and social classes ⚖️ The book's publication in 2018 came at a critical time, just years after Nigeria passed one of Africa's most restrictive anti-LGBT laws 💪 Many contributors used pseudonyms to protect their identities, yet chose to share their stories as an act of resistance and to help other queer Nigerian women feel less alone