Ghana's first transgender musician, Angel Maxine, has spoken out about the so-called "prejudice and exclusion" she faces in the West African country.
In an interview with the BBC, Maxine revealed that she had come to terms with herself and her biological differences, and there was nothing anyone could do about it.
She claimed that despite having a penis, she displayed female characteristics immediately after birth and medical staff were confused about her gender.
Maxine said;
"Even in the hospital, they couldn't tell my gender. Would they say it was a man or a woman? They had to unwrap me and show me around so they could see oh, this has a penis!
"I always feel like I'm living someone else's life. Kojo Besia...Obaaberima...Ultimately it's mine. So when you call me Kojo Besia, Obaa Berima, I say hi, hi. I just had it. I Often referred to as Angel Maxine, I was the first openly transgender musician in Ghana."
The singer also insists that the LGBTQ movement is no stranger. Maxine added;
"Angels didn't choose anyone's lifestyle or culture. I was born a woman. I thought I was really tired, and I was really tired, despite the setbacks from my family and other people. So I started to be very interested in my music. Keep an open mind and wear my shorts, my San Diego boots, etc.
"And then I really saw myself like this: Hey, that's me. That's the beautiful picture I've been seeing, and I wanted to put it out there."
