The Fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Zimbabwe: Health care and freedom under siege
Thembelihle Mhlanga
In Zimbabwe, the LGBTQ+ community faces relentless challenges, struggling to access essential health care and exercise their fundamental rights. Discriminatory laws and deep-rooted societal stigma create a perilous environment where safety and well-being are constantly at risk.
Access to health care for LGBTQ+ individuals is fraught with fear. “I often have to hide my true identity just to receive basic medical care,” says Alex Moyo, a 28-year-old transgender man. He recounts a bittersweet victory when he finally found a supportive doctor, only to realize that attending LGBTQ+ events could expose him to serious danger.
Zimbabwe’s Constitution, article 78(3) provides that: “Persons of the same sex are prohibited from marrying each other.”
Section 73 of the Criminal Law Act 2006 criminalises all sexual acts between men with a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment and the possibility of a fine.
Many health care providers deny treatment out of fear of backlash from authorities or society. “We often face judgment and hostility when seeking medical help,” shares Jamie Chirwa, a 30-year-old gay man. This stigma forces many to forgo necessary services, jeopardizing their lives.
Ras Ras, an official with the Awake Affinity Group (AAG), highlights the urgent health and legal challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. “Limited access to relevant services and discrimination stem from our lack of recognition,” he explains. “Without acknowledgment, our needs are overlooked, leaving us vulnerable.”
The right to associate freely is equally compromised. Organizing support or advocacy meetings often invites harassment from authorities. “Every time we try to gather, there’s this looming fear of being raided by the police,” says Taylor Mudzimu, a 35-year-old activist. Friends of his have faced arrest simply for being in safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Reports reveal police raids on LGBTQ+ gatherings, resulting in arrests and intimidation. An anonymous Victoria Falls police officer, “Machiya,” is implicated in these actions, underscoring the illegality of such practices. “They don’t just arrest us; they use intimidation tactics to silence us,” Taylor asserts. “It’s a way to stifle our advocacy.”
The impact of this discrimination is profound, leading many LGBTQ+ individuals to experience isolation and mental health crises. “I used to be very active in my community, but now I feel I must conceal who I am,” confides Jordan Nyasha, a 22-year-old bisexual woman. “The fear of being outed or arrested is paralyzing.”
This lack of access to health care and freedom of association not only threatens physical health but also deteriorates mental well-being. “We need spaces to gather, share our experiences, and support each other,” Jordan insists. “Without that, we suffer in silence.”
Advocates are calling for urgent reforms to safeguard the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in Zimbabwe. “We need laws that guarantee access to health care and protect our right to gather,” states Morgan Chikonde, a 40-year-old LGBTQ+ rights advocate. “This isn’t just about us; it’s about human rights.”
As the struggle for equality intensifies, the voices of those impacted by these injustices must be amplified. “We will not be silent any longer,” Morgan asserts. “We deserve to live freely and access the health care we need.”
The plight of LGBTQ+ individuals in Zimbabwe—marked by the denial of health care access and freedom of association—demands urgent attention. Advocates hold out hope for a future where everyone can live openly and healthily, free from discrimination and persecution.
