A woman believed to be in her early forties and her son narrowly escaped death at the hands of an angry mob in Monrovia.
The incident occurred on Sunday, October 7, 2023, after a group of youths accused the son, Shelton Seidi, of being gay—a claim that sparked outrage in a society where homosexuality is heavily stigmatized.
The mob stormed the home of Madam Georgia Wlachen Seidi and her son in New Georgia Estate, banging on their doors and demanding that Shelton be handed over to face their wrath.
Refusing to comply, Madam Seidi shielded her son, causing the mob to retreat but not before vowing to return and exact revenge.
Fearful for their lives, the Seidis fled to an unknown location that night. Tragically, the next day, the mob returned and set their home ablaze, reducing it to ashes.
The attack has left the Seidi family in fear and distress. Relatives report that they have been unable to contact Madam Georgia and Shelton since the incident, deepening concerns for their safety. “We are worried about our sister and her son,” a family member lamented.
Little Shelton Seidi
Eyewitness accounts describe how the attackers doused the house in gasoline before setting it on fire. One of the assailants was overheard threatening, “If Seidi, who is a gay, is not turned over to us, we’ll eliminate anyone connected to him.”
In light of the threats, family members are urging the Liberian government, human rights organizations, and international partners to intervene and provide protection for Georgia and Shelton, wherever they may be.
They fear that returning to Liberia could result in their immediate execution without recourse to justice.
A relative of Madam Seidi, who chose to remain anonymous, advised the pair to stay away from Liberia due to the continued threats.
The relative warned that the social climate in the country remains hostile, particularly for individuals perceived to be members of the LGBTQ+ community.
In an exclusive interview, a friend of Shelton highlighted the pervasive fear experienced by gay individuals in Liberia.
“Being gay in Liberia is extremely dangerous because of the widespread negative attitudes and the country’s anti-LGBT laws,” the friend said. “No one dares to openly condemn the violence against gay people, and many live in constant fear of being exposed.”
Homosexuality remains highly stigmatized in Liberia, where it is viewed as immoral, un-Christian, and contrary to cultural values. The hostility extends to institutions advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, which often operate in secrecy to avoid verbal and physical attacks.
Public discourse on the topic is dominated by anti-gay sentiment, further marginalizing the community.
Reports from the Lesbian and Gay Association of Liberia (LEGAL) have documented numerous cases of abuse, including mob violence and physical assaults, against LGBTQ+ individuals.
The organization has also revealed instances where residents openly threatened to kill anyone involved in same-gender relationships.
As the Seidi family’s plight underscores, LGBTQ+ individuals in Liberia face immense challenges to their safety and dignity.
The incident calls for urgent action from local and international stakeholders to address the violence and discrimination that continue to plague the country’s most vulnerable populations.