By Ecclesia De Lange
Ecclesia de Lange is an ordained minister and Director of Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM), working across Southern, East and West Africa with faith communities to dismantle exclusionary theologies and build affirming inclusive spiritual spaces.
Her 2009 dismissal by the Methodist Church of Southern Africa for intending to marry her same-sex partner led to a Constitutional Court case that sparked national dialogue on LGBTQIA+ rights, religious freedom, and institutional accountability.
De Lange says: “The anti-gender movement is gaining momentum on the African continent, often propelled by transnational support from conservative religious actors. Religious leaders are being co-opted into promoting harmful ideologies that incite violence, fuel discrimination, and enable the drafting of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation – such as Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act.
“This movement doesn’t only target LGBTQIA+ communities – its ripple effects are broader, undermining the rights of women, children, and racial minorities. At its core, this agenda is rooted in patriarchy and white supremacy.”
