Why the Recent ELLE UK Cover Sends a Powerful Message
Tags: Civil Rights, Africa, Sudan, Elle, LGBTQ

A few days ago, ELLE UK debuted their January 2021 issue and it was certainly not what most people expected. The cover featured South Sudanese model, Aweng Ade-chuol, locked in a kiss with her beautiful wife Alexa while wearing matching polka dots outfits. They say a picture is worth a thousands words and this was perhaps the best way to show the world that they still remain in love even in the face of needless homophobic attack.

In the interview, Aweng opens up about mental health and the heavy backlash from her community when she married Alexa last December. Aweng hails from South Sudan, where same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned. South Sudan calls for ten years of imprisonment for this, and refuses to recognize same-sex unions. Majority of South Sudanese maintain traditional or Christian beliefs and religion is still very influential. Aweng spoke on how she found the whole situation baffling, not really understanding why her community wished her death simply because she married a woman.

She spoke on how the situation saddened her saying,“We got married and the whole world, literally the whole of my community, were wishing that I passed, in a way… a few months later, I attempted suicide.” She said subconsciously, she felt drained by the fact that she had gotten married and her community turned on her. A year later, the community is still discussing her marriage pondering on why she dared to marry a woman.

The South Sudanese media have had a lot of unkind words to say in regard to her marriage. She opened up about how she still finds the situation difficult because she has no control of what the people say and what newspapers and tabloids publish in Sudan. It was confusing to her how her marriage seemed all they could talk about — especially given the recent political climate in the country. She had no idea that her marriage announcement would turn out to be a “whole thing.” The whole situation was deeply saddening for her, because it was meant to be the happiest day of her life but the haters couldn’t let her enjoy it.

She is however grateful for the support and respect she has gotten from other Sudanese girls upon coming out. This goes to show not everyone is against LGBTQ+ rights in the country, and there are other girls and women who understand and empathize with what Aweng is going through. “It was beautiful to see how people react with having someone who validate who they are.” She explained how this support left her feeling a responsibility to speak up for the LGBTQ+ community in South Sudan. “At first I did, but then I realized that I’m in my twenties. I wish I could say, Let me hold the torch for the LGBTQ+ Sudanese community, but it is a lot to handle and I am only human, I am learning myself.”

The cover picture in itself tells a story of defiance against homophobic abuse. The pictures in the interview make a bold statement that they won’t be backing down.The fact that Elle decided to celebrate this love story by having a same-sex couple passionately embrace on the cover is a milestone in itself. We need more covers and stories that allow everyone to share their truth with the world. We need to speak more on how homophobia affects our mental health.

As a young queer Ethiopian girl, this candid cover was like an early Christmas gift to me. I realized someone understands and is going through the same things. It motivated me to go on with my journey; sometimes all it takes it to see that you are not alone.