Zim Gives Homosexuality the Thumbs Down

Deputy President, Emmerson Mnangagwa has told UN Human Rights Council Working Group that Zimbabwe will not allow homosexuality or same-sex marriages. Mnangagwa did, however, state that the Zimbabwean government would accept other recommendations that are deemed in line with the state’s constitution.

The Deputy President says that Zimbabwe is willing to accept 142 other recommendations, but remains firm on rejecting the legalisation of same-sex marriages:

“With regards to areas that we felt we would not accept, it is issues of gays and homosexuality, which is unlawful in our country. We rejected all those. There are a few countries from Europe which recommended we reconsider our position with regard to adults of same sex marrying each other that we rejected”.

This does not come as much of a surprise. President Robert Mugabe is known for chastising homosexuals and has said that his country will not allow homosexuality.

Last year President Mugabe was quoted as saying that gay rights are not human rights, that homosexuality goes against the country’s values – in his words, “We are not gays”.
He even mocked American President Barack Obama for passing the same-sex marriage bill, saying:

“I’ve just concluded since President Obama endorses the same-sex marriage, advocates homosexual people and enjoys an attractive countenance thus if it becomes necessary, I shall travel to Washington, DC, get down on my knee, and ask his [Obama’s] hand.”

The Gays and Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe (GALS) continues to call for governmental organisations to help encourage the recognition of the rights of this group.

GALS programme officer Sylvester Nyamatendedza claims that some group members have received negative treatment that from government officials and that some sections of local media have not been reporting fairly about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people.