LGBTI+ persons’ concealed displacement in Zimbabwe

abstract

In many parts of the world individuals are subjected to serious human rights abuses because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, and sex characteristics, particularly when these do not conform to dominant social and cultural norms. Severe persecution and discrimination from both state and non-state actors force LGBTI+ persons to leave their places of habitual residence in search of a safe environment in which they can fully exercise their gender and sexual rights, and Zimbabwe is no exception. This article is drawn from the findings of qualitative research conducted on the relationship of LGBTI+ persons with their communities in Zimbabwe. The study elicited data from participants who identified as LGBTI+ (the Shona term ngochani, which means homosexual, is disparagingly used to refer to all members of this group). The major findings of the study are that the Zimbabwean government’s position has created a climate of fear, vulnerability, and victimisation among LGBTI+ persons, which has led to their displacement and migration. The study found that although in some cases the displacement and migration were caused by the violence from the state actors such as the police, other drivers include being rejected by families or fear of the communities’ reaction and treatment, which this study would call ‘concealed displacement’. The study thus argues that not all displacements and migrations of LGBTI+ persons are caused by visible public violence; however, in some cases it is concealed and as a response to desperation or mental and psychological exhaustion, even in the ‘quietest’ environment. Hence this article focuses on concealed displacement, diverting from the popular researched narrative of displacements as a result of overt public war and violence, but with the more or less common goal of finding space for safety, peace, acceptance, and inclusion.

keywords:

• LGBTI+
• displacement
• gender
• sexuality
• migration

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 ‘Sisters’ refers to the young gays who dress and behave like sisters as their way of showcasing that they are in the market for men. Sisters’ outwards appearance was explained as the way of marketing themselves to the men who would otherwise not see or recognise them if they do not dress and behave as such.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gabi Mkhize

GABI MKHIZE is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Social Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She is also an Academic Leader for the Development Cluster, where she is the head of the programmes: Economic History, History, Gender Studies, and Information Studies. She holds a PhD in women, gender, and sexuality studies from the Ohio State University in the USA. She has several peer-reviewed journals and book chapter publications on gender and sexuality to her name, and her research publications and interests include gender and development, gendered violence, identity politics, gender and disability, gender and tourism, intersectionality, and critical Black feminist thought. She has Guest Edited some journals, including Alternation Special Edition 26 (2019) on Women’s History and Subjectivity: Reflection on Liberation Narratives; and Agenda feminist journal issue for 2019 on Gendered and Feminist Inequalities. Mkhize has also served as a reviewer for several internationally accredited journals, including the Journal of Social Development in Africa, Folklore Journal, Journal of African Foreign Affairs, and Agenda. She serves on the Board of journals and NGOs, at the Advice Desk for the Abused. Email: [email protected]

Liberty Mambondiani

LIBERTY MAMBONDIANI is a postdoctoral fellow in the Gender Studies department at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa. He holds a PhD in Gender Studies from the School of Social Science at UKZN, and is a transdisciplinary scholar with research interests in gender and sexuality, African family formations, human and political geography, intersectionality and political economy. Among his community engagement experiences, he has been a student leader for the Population Association of Southern Africa. Email: [email protected]