Home Out and Proud With GALZ I Knew I Was Not Alone

With GALZ I Knew I Was Not Alone

by Bustop TV News

By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu

Boityulo Khumalo*, a 25-year-old gay man Masvingo, felt alone and unable to share his experiences with anyone for fear of discrimination and homophobia. That changed in 2018 when he discovered the Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ), a local association that promotes, represents and protects the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) people. 

Through GALZ, Khumalo found a safe space and for the first time became comfortable with his sexuality.

“GALZ made me realise that l was not alone. It was a relief for me that there are different dynamics in the community,” he said.

Discovering there was an organisation rallying and fighting for a better and safer space for the LGBTQI community meant the world to Khumalo. Since 1990 GALZ has provided a lifeline against discrimination by advocating for LGBTQI people to be heard and respected.

Through GALZ, generations of LGBTQI people have found a safe harbor in which they can identify with each other and associate without fear of being discriminated against or having hate speech spewed against them.

“Homophobia is still haunting us, but if we have organisations like GALZ, we should join forces and be able to fight against that,” Khumalo said.

“I urge all those living in fear to hope for the best, as we have an association rallying behind us. It might take time, but soon the society will accept the LGBTQI community and respect their rights. Being part of the LGBTIQ community is not easy, but I know I will sail through. There are people who do not belong to the LGBTIQ community who support us whom we call ‘allies,’ and l salute them for that.”

GALZ also provides essential services, which include counselling and access to subsidized medical attention.

“On a national platform l think they are doing a great job advocating for and shedding light on LGBTQI issues,” Khumalo added.

In an interview, GALZ Services and Policy Advocacy Officer Sylvester Nyamatendedza said his organisation hopes to raise awareness about LGBTQI people’s lived realities in Zimbabwe.

“We intend to create awareness on the diversity that exists in terms of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. We are raising awareness by engaging various stakeholders, policy makers, parliamentarians and those who hold positions of influence such as traditional leaders, and the whole community so that the message is sent out there in a bid to promote tolerance and acceptance. Issues that include the LGBTIQ community should be maintained in broader development and spaces,” he said.

He added that coming out is a long process and a personal decision.

“What we offer is systematic counselling to provide guidance to ensure that clients make informed choices. Some have chosen to come out and in the process their families have accepted them, and the community has accepted them. Some came out, but in the process lost livelihoods and family relations,” Nyamatendedza said.

GALZ’s mandate is to create an environment that heals the hate and discrimination that has affected the LGBTIQ community. GALZ calls on the State to strengthen psycho – social support systems of the LGBTQI community and for people to come together, resist homophobia, support all those affected, and facilitate healing to ensure national growth and development.

“GALZ is open to everyone who supports the cause, who fits into the requirements of being an ally or member. As long as they are 18 and above they are free to come and participate,” Nyamatendedza said.

*pseudonym has been used

This article was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of <SukuoluhleNdlovu/BustopTV> and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union’.

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