A Mutare family has reportedly disowned its son after discovering that he was gay.
The family spoke on Manicaland’s Diamond FM radio channel saying it was failing to come to terms with the sexual orientation of their son, Tafadzwa Maswa.
This was after his grandmother caught him pants down with another man.
Tafadzwa’s grandmother said she still cannot stomach the humiliation her son has brought to her in the suburb of Dangamvura. His granny said on Diamond FM:
What broke my heart the most is that I caught him red-handed indulging with another man on my bed. How could he curse my bed in such a manner?
Reacting to the radio interview, GALZ has criticised Zimbabwe’s laws for fuelling hate against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQl+) community. Said the association:
It is unfortunate for Zimbabwe that the law currently facilitates harassment of LGBTQl+ individuals because of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, therefore Tafadzwa’s mental health becomes our priority.
We are concerned that the interview vilifies our kind as Tafadzwa’s perceived sexual orientation was exposed in the interview rendering them vulnerable to threats of violence, harassment, stigma and discrimination.
Consequently, our community lives in fear of violence and abuse because they have witnessed abuse or encountered homophobic slurs.
Most gays and lesbians in Zimbabwe hide their sexual identity due to discrimination, exclusion and violent attacks against them causing permanent fear and loneliness.
The late former president Robert Mugabe publicly denounced homosexuality saying those who engage in same-sex relationships were worse than dogs and pigs.