Zimbabwe officials disrupted a workshop for people most at risk of HIV infections over the weekend, seizing documents at the Harare airport and tearing down an exhibition stand displaying materials they found offensive. The seizure is just the latest example of government obstruction of Aids fighters’ attempts to provide health information to sexual minorities, who … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Harare
Mugabe threatens gays; LGBT Zimbabweans respond
LGBT persons in Zimbabwe have once again been reminded that they have a long way to go to win justice and fair play in their native land. Thousands who gathered today in a Harare stadium and elsewhere to mark 34 years since the country’s independence from Britain once again heard vociferous homophobic rhetoric from the … Continue reading
Zimbabwe police again raid LGBT rights meeting
Police in Zimbabwe today stormed a local hotel where human rights defenders were attending a media training workshop by Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ). They arrested two of those at the meeting and brought the meeting to an end. About 20 participants were in the session, at the Bronte Hotel in Harare, when the … Continue reading
Zimbabwe nightmare: ‘In limbo for my type of love’
Erasing 76 Crime blog’s special correspondent in Zimbabwe checks in with Lionel Girezha, who since October 2011 has been awaiting trial on sodomy charges. The Lionel Girezha story: ‘In limbo for my type of love’ He walks with a sturdy strut. Oblivious that this cold winter afternoon thrusts its devilish chill onto his skin, much … Continue reading
Zimbabwe activists reject call for anti-gay crackdown
Zimbabwean LGBT activists have slammed a Bulawayo-based anti-gay political organisation that is calling on the country to ban local groups that help LGBT people. The pressure group argues that LGBT advocacy organisations are un-African and in violation of the Zimbabwean constitution. The organization, based in Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, calls itself Africa Against Western Influence and … Continue reading
Mixed feelings among LGBTs as Zimbabwe turns 33
Zimbabwean LGBT people across the world have expressed mixed feelings on the country’s Independence Day celebrations as Zimbabwe turned 33 today. For some LGBT Zimbabweans who fled from the country because of its widespread homophobia, Independence Day was a time for grieving and for remembering what they had lost. During the day’s celebrations in Harare, … Continue reading
A night in hell, Zimbabwe style
In this year-end recollection, Miles Tanhira of the activist group Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) describes last August’s police raid of GALZ headquarters, during which office equipment was seized and dozens of members were arrested. The organization has since closed its office. Police have not returned the property they seized. By Miles Tanhira I’ve … Continue reading
Zimbabwe police move to shut down pro-LGBT group
Police in Zimbabwe are seeking to shut down the gay-rights organization GALZ as an unregistered enterprise. The group Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe disputed the police accusation, and did not state that it is shutting down operations. But the Zimbabwean news website said the police action forced GALZ to close Harare office, The action against … Continue reading
How the church oppresses Zimbabwe’s faithful LGBTs
Fourth of four articles about the treatment of LGBTI people in Zimbabwe. Religion is both the oppressor and the consolation of many LGBTI people in Zimbabwe, says a newly released report from the advocacy group Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe, or GALZ. The report said: Without doubt one of the main issues facing LGBTI people … Continue reading
Zimbabwe police raid office, arrest 44 gay activists
Police in Zimbabwe yesterday raided the offices of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe and arrested 44 of the LGBT rights group’s members. The 31 men and 13 women were held overnight at the Harare central police station and released this morning, the group said. No charges were filed against them. Four police officers with backup from … Continue reading
