Voices: I was persecuted like these LGBTQ+ people – we can’t sit back and do nothing

I was persecuted like these LGBTQ+ people – we can’t sit back and do nothing Jide Macaulay is a gay reverend who has spent much of his life helping the most vulnerable of LGBTQ+ people in Nigeria. He is clear that Bel Trew's new documentary 'Hunted' has a message that needs to be listened to – and acted upon - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Bel Trew’s documentary Hunted: Kidnapped, blackmailed and tortured for being LGBTQ+ offers a powerful and deeply human portrayal of the realities faced by LGBTQ+ people in Nigeria. At a time when global humanitarian funding is shrinking and HIV services are under increasing pressure, the film serves as both a warning and a call to action. The people in this documentary are not just statistics, they are my friends, bravely fighting injustice in a country which I was forced to leave thanks to intolerance and threats to my life and work. The stories featured in the documentary are not isolated incidents. They reflect the daily experiences of many LGBTQ+ people who live at the intersection of discrimination, poverty, violence, and limited access to healthcare. All of us have different tales to tell – but what is key is that work to make lives better is offered support, and not crushed under the weight of discrimination and violence. Among the most disturbing accounts are those of Amed* and Musa*, who survived what is commonly known in Nigeria as “kito” attacks. These acts of violence often involve kidnapping, blackmail, extortion, and brutal torture targeted at individuals perceived to be gay or bisexual. Victims are frequently lured into dangerous situations and subjected to horrific abuse, with little hope of justice or protection. Their stories highlight the severe human rights violations that continue to threaten the safety and dignity of LGBTQ+ Nigerians. The documentary also follows Riri, a transgender woman and sex worker whose life is shaped by rejection from family and community, economic hardship, and barriers to healthcare. Her struggle to maintain access to HIV treatment demonstrates how stigma and discrimination can create additional obstacles for people already living on the margins of society. For many transgender people, access to healthcare is not simply a medical issue but a matter of survival. Equally concerning are the experiences of community leaders and advocates such as Bethel in Niger State and Yemi and Animashaun in Lagos State. For years, grassroots organisations have filled critical gaps in healthcare, HIV prevention, psychosocial support, and emergency assistance for LGBTQ+ communities. Yet these vital services are increasingly under threat. Recent reductions in international aid, including the impact of cuts by Donald Trump to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding, have placed immense strain on already fragile support systems. Community safe spaces are struggling to remain open. Outreach programmes are being reduced. Access to HIV testing, prevention, treatment support, and mental health services is becoming more uncertain. These are not abstract policy decisions. They have real consequences for real people. The greatest concern is the potential reversal of decades of progress in the fight against HIV. Across Africa and around the world, hard-won gains have been achieved through sustained investment, community leadership, scientific innovation, and international cooperation. When funding disappears, the consequences can be immediate: interruptions in care, reduced access to medication, increased vulnerability, and preventable loss of life. Yet Hunted is not simply a story about suffering. It is also a story of resilience, courage, and hope. The individuals featured in the film continue to support one another, organise their communities, and advocate for a future where everyone can live with dignity and safety. The global response must be rooted in solidarity. Governments, donors, faith communities, corporations, and civil society organisations must recognise that supporting LGBTQ+ people living with HIV is not charity. It is a matter of human rights, public health, and social justice. Sustainable investment in community led organisations remains one of the most effective ways to protect lives, strengthen healthcare systems, and ensure that no one is left behind. Hunted reminds us that behind every statistic is a human story. The question is whether the world is willing to listen and act. *Names changed to protect identities Reverend Jide Maculay is the founder and CEO of House Of Rainbow – an advocacy group for Black, African, Caribbean, and other ethnic minority LGBTQ+ individuals. Reverend Macaulay is also an expert advisor for the UNAIDS Reference Group on HIV and Human Rights and is chairperson for INERELA+ Europe, the European network of religious leaders living with or personally affected by HIV This documentary has been produced as part of The Independent’s Rethinking Global Aid project Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments [Image text:] AFILMBYP ULLDOC TheOINDEPET