Gays kicked out in a meeting

Around thirty sex workers and members of the Gays and Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe (GALZ) marched to the Large City Hall, but police quickly moved in and dispersed the gathering ostensibly because homosexual acts are against the law in Zimbabwe, they could not be present at this event.

GALZ slammed the police action. “GALZ deplores actions by the Zimbabwe Republic Police against Sexual Rights Centre, members of the LGBTI community and activists at a recent event organised by Musasa Project to mark 16 days of activism in Bulawayo,” a spokesperson said. “The uninformed and arbitrary decision to ask these members to leave the event

only serves to reinforce the bigotry and discrimination of sexual minorities at a platform where organisations such as these are working tirelessly to eradicate sexism and its effects.”

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign kicked off on Nov. 25, which is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and ended on Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day. The country has small number of outspoken gays and lesbians – there are fewer than 200 fee-paying members of GALZ in a country of 12.5 million people. Rape and violence of women and children including lesbians and sex workers is on the increase in Zimbabwe.

GALZ called on the police to respect and uphold the rights of citizens as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Being openly homosexual in this southern African country is considered such a disgrace that coming out entails maintaining a delicate balancing act between modern freedoms and the age-old traditions of the majority Shona-speaking people.

Although President Mugabe is unpopular for his economic policies, his anti-gay stance resonates with many Zimbabweans.

Even the constitutional pressure groups have failed to get Zimbabweans to accept homosexuality. Activists rejected proposals to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation during public hearings on a new constitution.