Reverend Faustina Araba Forson, the mother of Ghanaian transgender musician Angel Maxine, has appealed to mothers and the wider Ghanaian public to support LGBTQ people, particularly children, as debate continues over the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2025.
In a video message released on March 16, 2026, Rev. Forson spoke about the emotional toll the proposed legislation has had on families like hers. Referring to the bill, she said, “In fact, it has given me so much pain, and I know there are mothers like me who are also going through the same.”
Defending her child and the broader LGBTQI+ community, Rev. Forson stressed that sexual orientation and gender identity are not choices. “My child was born an LGBTQ. The LGBTQ people are not made. They’re born. They are like that. You can’t change them. My daughter was born like that, grew up like that,” she said.
She also criticised provisions in the proposed law that could compel individuals to report LGBTQ people to authorities. “And coming out that I should come and report, duty to report. Eii, report my own child? That she is an LGBTQ so come and arrest my child,” she said.
Rev. Forson reminded advocates of the bill of the struggles mothers endure during pregnancy and childbirth, reflecting on “the pain I went through pregnancy and pushing.”
She argued that being straight or LGBTQ should not determine a person’s worth and appealed to those supporting the bill to reconsider its impact on families. “Look at the pain you are putting a mother through. And so this bill there is no need for any bill to be passed. It has to be cancelled completely,” she said.
Emphasising the humanity of LGBTQ people, she added: “They are all human beings like everybody, and they deserve to live like everybody. And what are you doing affecting mothers even our mental health. Look at me, the mother, and what about the child.”
Rev. Forson further affirmed her love for her child, stating, “If you say your straight child is better than my LGBTQ child, I love my LGBTQ child.”
She concluded with a call for solidarity among mothers of LGBTQ children, urging them not to hide their children because of stigma. “I’m asking mothers who have LGBTQ children like mine to come, let’s join together and fight for our children. Don’t shy away from your children. Don’t let society push you, and that your child is a demon, no. Your child is created by God, and so your child is special. He is a special child. Love her love everybody loves a child, love yours. And, I’m expecting all mothers to come on board. All LGBTQ mothers to come on board and let’s figthis cause.”
Rightify Ghana 