OUT in Zimbabwe
Sexual and gender minorities in Zimbabwe face legal, cultural and social challenges not experienced by other groups within Zimbabwe. Our ‘OUT in Zimbabwe’ research is examines the lived experiences of sexual and gender minorities in Zimbabwe. We unearthed some intriguing findings and have made some important recommendations.
Homosexuality has been said to be ‘Un-African’ and many world leaders, including leaders of Zimbabwe, have suggested this. However, we know that this is not necessarily true, as Zimbabwe has re-written its own sexual history. Our upcoming report highlights that:
“Tracing homosexuality far back within Zimbabwe leads to evidence found in thousand-year-old rock paintings created by the San people, depicting anal sex between men which is the earliest evidence which suggests homosexuality existed in pre-colonial Africa” (OUT in Zimbabwe)
Please note that we use the term SOGIESC in this research report (sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, and sex characteristics).
Homosexuality has been said to be ‘Un-African’ and many world leaders, including leaders of Zimbabwe, have suggested this. However, we know that this is not necessarily true, as Zimbabwe has re-written its own sexual history. Our upcoming report highlights that:
“Tracing homosexuality far back within Zimbabwe leads to evidence found in thousand-year-old rock paintings created by the San people, depicting anal sex between men which is the earliest evidence which suggests homosexuality existed in pre-colonial Africa” (OUT in Zimbabwe)
Please note that we use the term SOGIESC in this research report (sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, and sex characteristics).
Homosexuality has been said to be ‘Un-African’ and many world leaders, including leaders of Zimbabwe, have suggested this. However, we know that this is not necessarily true, as Zimbabwe has re-written its own sexual history. Our research report highlights that:
“Tracing homosexuality far back within Zimbabwe leads to evidence found in thousand-year-old rock paintings created by the San people, depicting anal sex between men which is the earliest evidence which suggests homosexuality existed in pre-colonial Africa” (OUT in Zimbabwe)
Please note that we use the term SOGIESC in this research report (sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, and sex characteristics).
Please read and download this report (opens in PDF) by clicking here
The key findings of our OUT in Zimbabwe research, found that:
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The majority of sexual and gender minorities' families have not been supportive of their family member as SOGIESC person. Not supportive (36.4%), some family members have been supportive (34.5%), have a supportive family (20%), and prefer not to answer (9.1%).
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Some sexual and gender minorities have been disowned by their family because of their SOGIESC.
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The majority of sexual and gender minorities have not been denied custody, guardianship, or access to their own children.
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Most sexual and gender minorities are highly educated (Higher education (50.9%), secondary education (21.8%), etc.). Despite sexual and gender minorities being educated, they still have limited job security.
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More than a third of sexual and gender minorities face discrimination in the job market because of who they are.
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A concerning number of sexual and gender minorities cannot afford health care - 49.1%. Over a quarter of sexual and gender minorities refuse to use mainstream hospitals because of who they are.
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Over half of sexual and gender minorities have mental health problems as a result of how they have been treated because of their SOGIESC.
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The majority (87.3%) of sexual and gender minorities feel that there are not enough support services for sexual and gender minorities in Zimbabwe.