of closet
Anthony Kunda
Gay men and lesbians in Zambia have formed an organisation to represent their interests, despite government threats to arrest them. Gershom Musonda, project manager of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and Transgender Persons Association (Legatra), says the country’s homosexuals face constant harassment and victimisation.
“The Zambian gay community has suffered silently, living as virtual outcasts in their own country. This cannot go on forever,” he says.
Although the association has only 25 registered members, it has set up a helpline and has received several calls from gay people seeking advice – an indication that homosexuality is not restricted to prisons, as is widely believed in Zambia.
“We’re identifying more people … this week we’ll go through the registration process. We’re sure our membership will go up,” says Musonda.
Alfred Zulu, president of the human rights group Zambia Independent Monitoring Team, estimates there are more than 500 000 homosexuals in the country.
Musonda, who is not gay, says he is not daunted by the prospect of arrest. “Only people who don’t understand human rights will criticise Legatra.”
When he reports to the registrar of societies in Lusaka to register Legatra – as required by law – he could face arrest. But he is adamant gays and lesbians have a constitutional right to form an association.
Minister of Home Affairs Peter
Machungwa has instructed Lusaka police to arrest anyone who attempts to register an association for homosexuals. According to Zambian law, homosexuality is a criminal offence carrying a sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment. The registrar of societies, Herbert Nyendwa, says his office will not register Legatra under any circumstances.