Page 1 of 7

Journal for Studies in Management and Planning

Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/index.php/JSMaP

e-ISSN: 2395-0463

Volume 01 Issue 11

December 2015

Available online: http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ P a g e | 302

Double stigma orientation and status: the chronicle of

HIV/AIDS among gays and lesbians in Zimbabwe.

Taruvinga Muzingili.

Assistant Lecturer: School of Social Work, University of Zimbabwe, P .Box 66022

Kopje Harare.

tmuzingili@gmail.com

Abstract

Zimbabwean laws are no disparate from

those of most countries in the region with

regards to criminalising same-sex

relationships. However, the law, in itself,

is not only the existent culprit in the

politics of sex and sexuality, and there is

very little evidence to indicate how

powerful the law is in acting as a

deterrent. This is because the laws are

founded on a moral code, but they equally

seek to impose a concept of morality on all

citizens, not just so-called minority groups.

For gays and lesbians in Zimbabwe, this

breeds ripple effects on accessibility of

public health facilities. Although many

organisations, institutions and NGOs have

cited the law as one of the reasons that

makes it difficult to work on sexual rights,

this article argues the abhorrent

environment and the didactic morality of

the leadership, among others, are the

authentic reasons why individuals are not

realising their health rights as sexual

citizens, and are instead being actively

vetoed from accessing as such. This

detestable behaviour is born of patriarchal

values and social systems that are propped

up by laws, policy, the media and other

institutions. Unless such issues are

urgently addressed, the historical dream of

completely curtail new HIV infections by

2030 will remain in idealism.

Key Words: public health, gays, lesbians

HIV/AIDS, Zimbabwe

Introduction

The campaign for universal human rights

has gained full momentum in the

contemporary society across the globe.

Among the universal rights, include

fundamental right to quality access to

health. The question of gender identity in

relation to access to basic human services,

health included in Zimbabwe is greeted

with prevalent dispute. There is little doubt

that gays and lesbians live in politically

charged environment in terms of their

rights. Although recognition of single sex

rights has gained tremendous recognition,

in Zimbabwe such section of people are

still caught in the chasm of social

stigmatisation and discrimination.

Homosexuality is increasing by getting

unprecedented visibility in Africa but in

Zimbabwe it is outlawed and remains

mystified anonymity. Recent study by

Gays and Lesbians Association of

Zimbabwe (GALZ) reported that 50% of

gays and lesbian in Zimbabwe are

HIV/AIDS positive (Sunday Mail, 2015).

Such rate is undeniably alarming and the

study confirm a situation, if ignored can

erode the government’s conceivable efforts

in HIV management over the past decades.

Same sex practice in Zimbabwe, like in

most African countries is considered un- African and severe social malpractice. This

Page 2 of 7

Journal for Studies in Management and Planning

Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/index.php/JSMaP

e-ISSN: 2395-0463

Volume 01 Issue 11

December 2015

Available online: http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ P a g e | 303

situation is extended to politics of health

access where gays and lesbians remain

invisible in utilising public health

facilities. There is no triumph for same sex

people who are HIV/AIDS positive as they

face binary standards of social statuses;

disease and sexuality discrimination.

The current speech by R. G Mugabe at the

United Nations General Assembly 2015 on

gays states that “we are not gays”

indicates political salience against same

sex rights in Zimbabwe. Though this has

cultural and societal constructivism;

stigma and dehumanisation against gays

and lesbians continue to be heralded. Such

state led homophobia is holding back

potentially crucial strategies in arresting

the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zimbabwe

(Madzamba, 2015). More perturbing is

that; access to health becomes difficulty

for gays and lesbians in the society as

those in health care centres are not willing

to discuss issues related to HIV/AIDS with

families of same sex. While move to

completely apprehend the spread of

HIV/AIDS pandemic is on success story

but certain section of people remain

undetectable and isolated from

fundamental public health infrastructure in

Zimbabwe.

The president of the Republic of

Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe has described

gays and lesbian as being “worse than

dogs and pigs” (Mojo 2014; Newsday,

2014). More so, Section 78 (3) of the

Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) forbids

relations or sexual intercourse between

people of the same sex and men

specifically. Mojo (2014) further notes that

homosexuality has been used as a tool for

political expediency. This aspect should

also be scrutinised in relation to how the

relationship between gender and health has

had effects on the way people perceive

certain phenomenon and in this case

homosexuality in particular. Health rights

are universal but the provisions of those

rights are influenced by collective societal

norms and values. The general perception

of Zimbabweans towards homosexuality

has been largely influenced by those

people occupying influential positions

including health sector. Thus the way

homosexuality has been interpreted by

people holding high public offices has

cascaded down to the masses and in most

cases the masses have interpreted

homosexuality in the same way that was

done by those who first interpreted it

(Mabvurira, 2012). This has to a greater

extent determined how homosexuality has

come to be perceived. This has some

repercussions on achieving equality in

terms of health for lesbians and gays in

society like Zimbabwe. Unless such public

perception is modified, the idea of getting

zero HIV infection will remain a masked

dream in Africa.

Methodology

Deeper understanding of topics such as

homosexuality requires research

orientation such as institutional

ethnography where the researcher become

part of the target population and adopts the

role of participant observation or observer

as a participant. Adopting the above role in

society like Zimbabwe is practically

thorny due to the sensitivity and

uncertainty surrounding gays and lesbians

issues. Due to complexity of the topic,

this article builds on existing literature and

author’s experience to the topic under

Page 3 of 7

Journal for Studies in Management and Planning

Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/index.php/JSMaP

e-ISSN: 2395-0463

Volume 01 Issue 11

December 2015

Available online: http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ P a g e | 304

investigation. Thus the practical and

philosophical background of the study was

built upon available published sources

including library and media sources. Since

this literature review builds on preceding

documents of a similar nature, sources

from 2000 to 2015 has been given much

attention. This is because agenda on

homosexuality continues to gain much

publicity and controversy in the today than

in the past. Perspectives from LGBTI

organizations such as GALZ in the

Zimbabwe were also prioritised as a key

source of data to emphasise the importance

of voice and participation from LGBT

people themselves in demanding and

claiming their human rights such as access

to health.

All sources used were acknowledged as

part of academic and professional

requirements. This was also done in order

to avoid deviation from research or

publication ethics that spell out that

prejudicing of one’s original work without

acknowledgement is an offence.

Political and Socio-cultural

Environment

Same-sex acts remain prohibited in more

than two-thirds of African countries and

evidence suggests that Africans are among

the least accepting of homosexuality in the

world (Pew Research Centre, 2013). In

Zimbabwe lesbians and gays do not fit into

normative roles of identity and sexuality is

rendered invisible and unintelligible to

policy makers, health workers and

community at large. In recent times there

is increasing moral publicity of gays and

lesbians in Zimbabwe, though an

unprecedented increase in the visibility of

same sex people is gaining momentum.

The literature confirms that lesbians and

gays in Zimbabwe are still caught in the

abyss of acute social exclusion. It also

observed that such group of people hide

their sexual orientation in fear of public

persecution. More disquieting is that same

sex people have maintained long distance

with health centres in Zimbabwe.

Therefore, they remain in risky situation in

terms of new HIV/AIDS infections.

The legal environment for gays and

lesbians in Zimbabwe is entirely

inhospitable. This is taking place when

country is putting recognisable efforts in

improving health of all people. In Africa,

South Africa is the only country in the

region (and indeed, the continent) to afford

people sexual orientation and gender

identity (SOGI) rights. In all other

countries in Southern Africa,

homosexuality is illegal, either expressly

indicated in the penal code, or according to

common-law (Makofane, 2013). Therefore

people in same sex relationships are

criminalised without remorse. The legality

of sexual rights in Zimbabwe is

consciously or unconsciously denying

such group of people access to public

health. The situation is uncompromising to

gays and lesbians who are HIV positive. It

is both a trial and tribulation where HIV

status is discriminated against and being a

homo prosecuted.

Much of the violence and discrimination is

directed at homosexual people in Africa.

Such act or behaviour is never justified

(Jacques, 2014). The idea of intimidating

homosexuality acts stems from a lack of

knowledge and understanding as well as a

fear of the unknown. In many Southern

African countries, gay men and other men

who have sex with men (MSM) also have