Zimbabwe tightens its grip on the LGBT community

By Tadios Sokomondo Denya

Zimbabwe tightens its grip on the LGBT community

Zimbabwe’s LGBTI community is facing an increasingly hostile environment as the government tightens its grip on their rights. Homosexuality is widely viewed as taboo, with many Zimbabweans believing it goes against their cultural and religious values. Laws further marginalize LGBTI individuals, with the criminal code specifically outlawing sodomy between men. As a result, LGBTI individuals are often subjected to widespread intolerance, rejection and exclusion from society, including from their own communities, churches and even the economy and government.

10% of Zimbabweans are gay or lesbian, but few openly disclose their orientation due to the risk of societal rejection, discriminatory laws and stigma, research suggests. Moreover, approximately 50% of gay men have reported experiencing assault, while 64% of LGBTI people faced stigma and consequences from their families and communities according to another survey.

Recently, the ruling ZANU PF party in Zimbabwe reaffirmed its stance against the LGBTQ+ community, leaving many to feel unwelcome and unsafe in their own country. During a party conference, leaders vowed to take a firm stance on LGBTQ+ issues, effectively tightening the grip on the community. Analysts noted that this commitment sends a clear message that Zimbabwe is not a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals, who may face arrest due to the country’s existing anti-homosexuality laws.

Zimbabwe’s National Assembly is considering a law that condemns promoting LGBTI activities and prohibits foreign entities from funding them. This move aligns with the country’s existing stance on homosexuality which was criminalized under the Criminal Law Act 2006 with sentences including a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment and a fine. The law specifically targets same-sex relations between men.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga made a statement condemning scholarships for LGBTQ+ people, denouncing it as unlawful, unchristian, anti-Zimbabwean and unAfrican. He emphasized that Zimbabwe’s schools and institutions of higher learning will not accept individuals who promote or practice values that are deemed to be contrary to the country’s moral and cultural standards.

“Zimbabwe’s educational institutions will not consider applicants or enroll individuals who promote or hold values that are incompatible with our African and Christian principles and that are commonly practiced in societies with whom we do not share moral or cultural ties”, he said.

In the meantime, the United Methodist Church has been observed to be facing a significant split due to disagreements over homosexuality, particularly in Zimbabwe. The Church has condemned the decision of its global body to recognize homosexuality labeling it “a betrayal of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” and stating that:

“Western culture is eroding traditional church values and poses a risk to younger generations”.

This development has sparked heated debates and protests within the Zimbabwean church community.

Against these backdrops, a Zimbabwean court has ruled in favor of a Bulawayo man who was fired from the civil service for allegedly engaging in homosexual activities. The man successfully appealed his dismissal at the Labour Court, a decision that has been welcomed by some human rights defenders. This ruling is significant, especially considering Zimbabwe’s laws and societal attitudes towards homosexuality.

Zimbabwe has enacted various measures to protect certain minorities from discrimination. For instance, Section 22 of the Constitution recognizes the rights of persons with disabilities, while several laws, including the Domestic Violence Act and Marriage Act, aim to protect women and girls from social and economic injustice. However, despite these efforts, the state has not implemented any measures to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination. Although the constitution mentions gender as a protected ground, it does not explicitly include protection for transgender or gender-nonconforming individuals.