“I knew I was queer since I was six” – Nigerian man opens up on suicidal thoughts and finding courage in community

A Nigerian man identified as Chinonso has shared his deeply personal journey on the WithChude podcast, where he opened up about being queer, battling suicidal thoughts, and how community gave him the courage to live freely. Chinonso revealed that he first realised he was queer at the age of six. According to him, while his childhood friends were always talking about girls, he noticed his feelings were different. So one day theyre like, what about you? And I was like, yeah, I met this boy too. And theyre like, wait, what the hell? I was like yes, I also met a boy. Thats when I knew, he explained. He also recalled growing up very feminine and how his mother often threatened him to stop walking that way or face punishment, which made him believe she already knew. Chinonso added that being part of queer communities helped him develop boldness. Seeing others protest, wave rainbow flags, and stand strong despite hostility made him feel he couldnt be the opposite. He lamented how queer people still face violence and abuse in Nigeria, including being beaten and raped, with little to no justice. There should be consequences for those kind of actions, he stressed.