KUDADA NECHINGOCHANE BEING PROUD OF YOUR QUEERNESS By Eppnoggia Mutetwa
BACKGROUND The first pride was a protest, and with the growth of the movement across the globe every region finds their own definition of what pride means to them and their identities. Pride has become more about representation and celebrating the existence of LGBTQ+ identities in their diversity. For the Zimbabwean queer who is constantly being told that homosexuality is a western concept brought about through colonization to erode the moral fiber of African society, representation of African queerness is essential. Unfortunately the current global representation of LGBTQ+ identities is neither relatable nor inclusive of African identities, struggles and queer culture. In the rare occurrence where there is international coverage of African LGBTQ+ identities it is mostly centred around the negative, with constant reinforcements of homophobia as part of African society and values. The erasure of African history also included the erasure of African queer history. The struggle for the queer person is being allowed to exist in their queerness and still be Zimbabwean. ORGANISATIONS Like other places, there is homophobia and intolerance as well as antiqueer legislation and governments in Zimbabwe and Africa, but we also have great allies and safe spaces, created by organisations such as Purple Hand Africa and The Fruit Basket which are based in Zimbabwe and South Africa respectively. One of the aims of Purple Hand Africa is reframing the LGBTQ+ narrative and using lived experiences and stories from LGBTQ+ people in Zimbabwe, to provide education and push for social reform by creating better understandings of Zimbabwean/African LGBTQ+ persons. The project also aims to address the issue of homosexuality as a western concept by creating Zimbabwean representation of different identities through a docuseries available on YouTube. The organisation runs several projects that address mental wellness, life skills development and artivism (activism through art) for the LGBTQ+ community in Zimbabwe. South Africa is one of the few African countries where homosexuality is not criminalised and a place where LGBTQ+ migrants seek refuge.
The Fruit Basket was established to make the transition easier for LGBTQ+ migrants and refugees. The organisation runs workshops on documentation, integration into the South African community, mental wellness, and provides a social space and financial assistance, alongside other services for refugees, helping to alleviate the issues caused by the lack of a formal refugee reception centre. THE SOCIAL SCENE The arts and creative space is one area that has always been safe, inclusive and celebrates diversity. The same can be said for the Zimbabwean creative scene. Not everyone there identifies as queer and not all spaces are safe, however the majority of the spaces are safe and inclusive and allow for freedom of expression and acceptance. Art and clothes allow individuals to express themselves and their identities. The queer community takes advantage of such spaces to celebrate their identities and find a place where they belong and are loved and celebrated for who they are. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND ACCEPTANCE Due to the level of social intolerance and abuse of power by police forces it is difficult to establish a formal drag community, but this has not stopped some of the brave queers of Zimbabwe. These amazing individuals can be found at awards shows and art events in the most flamboyant and expressive outfits that challenge social and gender norms resulting in outrage and shock on social media, but creating necessary conversations and pushing for representation. During the times of Mugabe’s presidency homosexuality was a taboo and dangerous topic. The work of activists and brave LGBTQ+ individuals who were willing to publicly come out and social media have made generating conversations easier. The country is still a long way from building tolerance and acceptance, however there has been a shift from whispering about homosexuality and pretending it doesn’t exist to acknowledging that LGBTQ+ identities exist and Zimbabweans can be gay too and conversations about it occurring in public spaces.
ZIMBABWEAN PRIDE My definition and understanding of Zimbabwean Pride is based on my experience with the community I worked and interacted with, and might not entirely reflect the opinions of all the different and diverse communities around our beautiful country. For me Zimbabwean pride is based on our connection to our culture, the spirit of ubuntu (I am because you are). The queer community is very close knit and works hard to support each other. There is so much love and joy, and people constantly work hard to help each other escape and deal with being disowned or experiencing a homophobic attack. Through the safe spaces and social events organised by organisations and members of the community queer individuals get a chance to take a break from performing heterosexuality and have a few hours where they can exist as their true selves. Zimbabwean pride is understanding intersectionality and embracing our differences, it is about holding spaces for each other and understanding that each individual is fighting so many demons and being around other queer people and allies gives them a chance to breathe. At the core of Zimbabwean pride is family and finding your tribe. Many LGBTQ+ people have been disowned by their families or are forced to be in the closet when at home for their own safety. The queer community becomes your family and many have found siblings, cousins, parents and lifelong friendships in the community and that is what Zimbabwean pride is. Pride also means laying your life to protect and fight for the right of a queer person to exist without being attacked or abused, the small acts of activism like accompanying someone whose gender expression does not match their gender to the bathroom in a club or restaurant, being a kind stranger and helping someone out of a potential homophobic attack. These small acts go a long way and in many cases have saved lives. Zimbabwean pride is love, acceptance, tolerance and holding space for the next person.
www.corkpride.com
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