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About the Project

The West African Queer Dictionary (WAQD) is an evolving, bilingual living archive documenting the slang, coded expressions, reclaimed language, and historical terminology of LGBTQIA+ communities across West Africa.

In a region where our identities face erasure and hostility, our language carries history, survival, belonging, and memory. Because queer vocabulary has largely lived through oral tradition, WAQD works to preserve this cultural knowledge while centering local context rather than forcing terms into Western identity boxes.

How It Works & Community Safety

Holistic Entries

Words are documented with pronunciation, usage notes, regional origin, tone, and cultural context.

Content Warnings

Traumatic or heavy slurs are shielded with a click-to-view warning.

Restricted Access

Coded survival slang is protected behind community verification to prevent targeting and weaponization. We kindly ask your patience with the extra steps required.

Request Access

Community-Built

You don't need to be a linguist to contribute. Whether submitting a new term or correcting context, community knowledge shapes this archive.

Get Involved

Know a word we should include, or have context or a story to share? We'd love to hear from you.

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A project conceived and curated by Colette Ojemhen