Fashion icon Kofi Okyere-Darko (KOD) has disputed the notion the fashion and beauty industries habour a lot of gay people.

“I’ve heard the rumour but the LGBTQ people are everywhere,” he said, noting: “I’m sure you’ll even find, after a careful look, gay people in our own Parliament House.”

According to the media star, “but for the national posture against homosexuality, we’d have seen there are gay people from all walks of life.

“They are in our own radio community, too.”

The Nineteen57 President spoke to Nana Romeo on Accra 100.5 FM’s Ayekoo Ayekoo, Wednesday, November 27, 2024.

He offered an explanation for why it appears gay people are many in the entertainment industry.

“Globally, fashion and music personalities are [constantly] out there, and they are seen more frequently,” he said.

He admitted there was “a connection” between “fashion and LGBTQ but I won’t agree it is the only place that has these individuals”.

“It’s everywhere, including the church,” the former music executive emphasised.

He recalled “growing up, we saw individuals who were – for example, we called effeminate males ‘man-woman’. We didn’t use the term gay”.

He observed now that the LGBTQ concept has become popular, people were increasingly suspicious when people of the same sex, especially men, show various forms of affection for each other including an innocent arm-around-the-neck posture during a photo opportunity.

“I have a good friend in the armed forces who is currently in Lebanon. One time, he sent me a message, saying, ‘Bro, I miss you’. I was there wondering to myself, ‘How do I [appropriately] respond to this?’,” KOD said, laughing.