JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Edafe Okporo marks his publishing debut with the release of "Bed 26" ( published by XlibrisUS ), a memoir charting the experiences of refugees in America and the life of a gay man amidst discrimination.
Based on a true life story, "Bed 26" narrates the experiences of Nigerian and West African gay, bisexual men and the reason they are forced to flee from their home country. The book also talks about the experiences of immigrants in an immigration detention, and the gap between the perceived American dream and its reality of racism, discrimination and phobia for people of color in America.
Through the book, Okporo stresses why people should not be categorized based on accepted norms "that are created to suit people who created them." His story encourages looking beyond labels such as "refugees" and "citizens" and looking inward into human character and behavior. "The stigma in today's society is overbearing and this book helps us to accept people the way they are and love them just the same," he adds.
"I want my readers to be more compassionate and caring for people around them, their loved ones and people who are close to them. You should not judge people without knowing how far they have come," Okporo reminds. "This book is also about forgiveness for people who have wronged you in the past, and resilience for young and old people to challenge the norm."
"Bed 26"
By Edafe Okporo
Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 90 pages | ISBN 9781984511010
Softcover | 6 x 9in | 90 pages | ISBN 9781984511003
E-Book | 90 pages | ISBN 9781984510990
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Edafe Okporo is an award-winning human right activist from Nigeria living in New Jersey; board of trustee member of First Friends of New Jersey and New York; and youth representative to the executive committee of United Nations Department of Public Information Non-Governmental Organizations ( UN DPI/NGO ). He continued his advocacy in United States by providing support to young gay bisexual men in New Jersey with his current employer Hyacinth AIDS Foundation. He has been, and will continue to be, an advocate for minority population especially the LGBTQ community, immigrants and people of color. Readers can follow him at his social media accounts @okporoe ( Instagram ) and @edafeokporo ( Twitter ).