A living record
West African Queer Dictionary
Language shapes how we see each other — and how we see ourselves. A bilingual, community-built reference for queer terminology across West Africa: words in everyday use, words reclaimed, and words still finding their footing.
Finding a word
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How this dictionary is kept
Handled with care
A sample entry
Everything one word can carry
Kito; Kitos; Kitoing;
Short definition
Feigning a queer identity to harm LGBTQI+ individuals.
Full definition
The dangerous act of pretending to be queer on dating apps or social media to lure, blackmail, assault, or out queer people.
Example
He is part of a gang known to kito gay men.
Usage notes
Originally used as a discreet safety code within the community, Kito hasnow entered mainstream vernacular, and is increasingly gaining global recognition.
Pronunciation
/ / Kee-toh / /
Origin & etymology
Nigeria. According to a facebook user "We wanted a name to mask the word "Scandal" during our school days, because some of our friends we a bit scandalous, thirsty for the wrong man and were being brutalized every eke market day. So we needed a warning code to describe a no go area guy, not to try. We changed the word to 'sandal' but the straight dudes around us seem to be decoded, so we decided to go with the reigning sandal at the time and that was how KITO was born"
References
Research and community dialogue
Related words
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