In Zimbabwe, long-time opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says that if he becomes president, he “will not persecute or prosecute gays.” Such statements in Zimbabwe tend to provoke accusations that the speaker is gay or has been bribed by gay Westerners, so Tsvangirai stated in addition, “I am not gay. I don’t support gays.” As reported … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Zanu PF
Tally of LGBTI rights, wrongs in 29 sub-Saharan countries
Several countries in sub-Saharan Africa have made progress in recognizing the human rights of LGBTI people, but much work remains to be done in the region’s 29 countries that still have laws against same-sex intimacy. LGBTI rights in those African countries are the focus of the following excerpts from the 2015 edition of the U.S. … Continue reading
In Zimbabwe, Mugabe resumes his gay-bashing
MUGABE’S LATEST ANTI-GAY TIRADE As has become the norm, as soon as Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe was inaugurated for his seventh term in office, he resumed making scathing remarks against homosexuality. During his inauguration ceremony on Aug. 22, attended by thousands of people as well as African dignitaries Mugabe spoke at length about Zimbabwe, trade, … Continue reading
Talk of changing Zimbabwe constitution incites LGBT fears
The Zimbabwean LGBT community has been plunged into fearful uncertainty by news that President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party intends to make changes to the new Zimbabwean constitution. In March, the new constitution won overwhelming support in a referendum. It had taken four years to build, owing to haggling and political bickering between Zanu PF … Continue reading
LGBT people in spotlight as Zimbabwe election nears
As Zimbabwe prepares for watershed elections on July 31, homosexuality has once again taken centre stage. While the President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party has taken a stance against homosexuality, vociferously describing it as an evil, the MDC party of challenger and prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai has remained mum on the issue, a development that … Continue reading
Election season in Zimbabwe means gay-bashing time
As surely as the sun rises in the east, election season in Zimbabwe brings with it a spate of gay-bashing speeches from President Robert Mugabe. His latest attack, on July 5, was reported by New Zimbabwe under the headline “Conceive or face jail, Mugabe tells gays.” With the approach of the election, currently scheduled for … Continue reading
Zimbabwe: Mugabe seeks life in prison for homosexuals
President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has resume his verbal attacks on LGBT people, promising that he will make the country a “hell” for gays and lesbians if his Zanu PF party wins the July 31 election. He proposed life sentences for homosexual activity, saying that the current law, which provides for up to a year … Continue reading
Zimbabwe LGBTs reject premier who turned on them
Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is at it again, publicly deriding homosexuality during a gathering in a high-density suburb of Glenview. Could it be that the man gets a homophobic streak during the month of March? Exactly two years ago the leader of Movement for Democratic Change-Tsvangirai (MDC-T) made similar homophobic remarks during women’s day … Continue reading
Zimbabwe activists are back in business
The battle continues to assure basic human rights for LGBT people in Zimbabwe despite government harassment. The group Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) reopened its Harare office last month. The GALZ office had been closed after a police raid last August. Based on an interview with a Zimbabwean LGBT activist, the Washington Blade reported … Continue reading
LGBTs worry as Zimbabwe moves to restrict rights
The long-awaited Zimbabwean draft Constitution outlaws same-sex marriage, which has aroused concern in the community of Zimbabwean lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. In interviews, LGBTI people said they fear that such homophobic legislation would fuel hatred and violence against them. “I don’t have aspirations of getting married, but I fear that such laws … Continue reading
