MEET THE SAFE HQUSE TEAM
..a little backstory
An onslaught of homophobic harassment of Queer Online Protesters on 14th October 2020 resulted in one Feminist being threatened by her family. She had earlier insisted on the inclusion of Queer Protesters' experiences with Police Brutality in the ongoing nationwide #EndSARS Protests against police brutality. She received death threats from her family. After a long day of online protesting, at 11 pm Adaeze’s attention was drawn to the death threat. She and other mutuals frantically rallied around help, confirmed she was unharmed, encouraged people to donate to her Go-Fund-Me. Adaeze Feyisayo tweeted
“..we may be needing safe houses in addition to food, transport, airtime being donated because wickedness must not win.”
By the next morning, numerous retweets & enquiries were made.
Days prior Temmie and Adaeze had been protesting online while disbursing airtime to other Keyboard Warriors and money for physical protester’s food and transport. Matthew did this and also physically protested. Tobi attended numerous physical protests. All clamouring for inclusivity of women and queer experiences in the discussion on police brutality in Nigeria.
But the morning of 16th October 2020 marks the inception of SAFE HQUSE. Temmie Ovwasa tweeted at Adaeze Feyisayo about the overnight raids by the “disbanded” SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad) on homes of persons they felt were protesting against their extortion, assault and murder. Matthew Blaise has tweeted condemning the harassment of Queer Protesters in Abuja on 13th October 2020 and his growing concern for others' safety.
Queer Youth protesting needed safe houses as the protests had made them more vulnerable to homophobic violence. After several DMs between Temmie and Adaeze, SAFE HQUSE was created by Adaeze Feyisayo with Temmie Ovwasa and Matthew Blaise. Tobi Afolabi giving tech & design support passionately.
SAFE HQUSE Team
ADAEZE FEYISAYO | Creator
Adaeze Feyisayo is a Writer and Lawyer. Author of STAB LOVE with FLOWER STALKS (Okadabooks) a collection of queer erotic short stories and poems. She has written Queer Erotica and Book reviews on amethystsaw.wordpress.com for over 2 years. Through discussions, stories, articles and social media she encourages sex positivity and raises reproductive & sexual care awareness.
As a lawyer she participated in the Abia state Prison Decongestion Project 2020, her observations on Gender-Based Violence, Unlawful Arrest, Police Brutality the persons on awaiting trial for years made her actively participate in online #EndSARS protests. She has consistently pushed for inclusivity of Women and LGBTQ+ persons who experience police brutality in a multilayered way. She curates her life through her YouTube channel SARF Uncut and Call ‘it’ Something Podcast (Anchor) She enjoys listening to music in different languages while caring for her plant babies and wants to be reincarnated as a fluffy cloud.
LARA T. KAREEM| Coordinator
Lara T. Kareem is an Author and Literary Aficionado who works in the Advertising Industry. She is the author of A Guide to Self-Publishing and Not Just Another Interlude, a contemporary Nigerian romance novel which gives patriarchy the middle finger. Currently, she is working on Bitesi Review an upcoming literary magazine solely focused on promoting the literary works of African & Black People.
When she isn’t writing or creating something, she enjoys listening to RnB music, playing with animals, getting lost in beautiful stories in any medium form and finally, she is very passionate about the Nigerian and African literary community.
TEMMIE OVWASA | Coordinator
Temmie Ovwasa is a Singer, Songwriter, Poet, Multi-instrumentalist, Visual artist and Sound/Energy healer.
As a Bitter, Angry, Queer Feminist Witch Temmie is dedicated to using her Art and platforms as tools for healing and upliftment of women and Queer people.
As someone with a background in the medical field. She believes that science and spirituality are intertwined and the greatest form of resistance as a collective is through Love, Unpacking and Healing.
When she isn’t making art she’s finding ways to human her way into her higher self or dragging Misogynists and Homophobes on Twitter and Instagram.
Check out Temmie Ovwasa Art Studio
Temmie resigned her position at Safe Hquse on Sunday 25th October 2020 to address certain defamatory allegations. We wish her healing and success with her upcoming album.
MATTHEW BLAISE |Fundraiser
Matthew Blaise (He/Him, They/Them) is a Non-Binary LGBTIQ+ Activist from Nigeria. They are currently studying English and literary studies at a Federal University in Nigeria. Matthew is one of the four soldiers of the #EndhomophobiaInNigeria campaign which trended on Nigeria Social Media space. They’re passionate about personal liberation hence they use social media networks as a means of reaching out to young queer people and helping them accept their Queer identity in a very homophobic country like Nigeria.
Matthew is a 2020 Women Deliver Young fellow. They dream of butterflies and write to emancipate themselves through social media rants and they hope to become a global activist someday to ensure safe spaces for everyone. Originally a Coordinator, Matthew was resigned to strictly Fundraising on Tuesday 29th October 2020. He resigned from this new position Saturday 31st October 2020. We wish him all the very best of luck with his future endeavours.
TOBI AFOLABI | Design & Tech Support
Tobi Afolabi is a writer, content creator and UI/UX designer. She is a feminist and LGBTQ ally, who volunteers for several women’s rights organisations such as Market March.
When she is not designing or watching horror movies, she writes fiction, some of which has been published in the Ake Review, Arts and Africa and the Kalahari Review. She owns a business with two friends called @thecuteshopng
Tobi is also no longer with Safe Hquse as at Tuesday 27th October 2020. We wish her speedy recovery.
SAFE HQUSE was providing 2 Days Temporary Safe House to Queer #EndSARS protesters in Nigeria and is now providing RESOURCES: Feeding, Transport, Housing, MediCare to Transgender, Non-binary, HIV+ Queer Nigerians to assist with the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria. Est. 16th October 2020. If you’d like to make an inquiry or financial donations. Email us: safehquseng@gmail.com
