Cde Robert Mugabe has never hidden his dislike for Gays and Lesbians. It has been reported that his anti-gay speeches have given rise to the rape of lesbians and gay male Zimbabweans in what has been described as ‘corrective’ rape. Try to ‘correct’ them into heterosexuality.
The US State Department’s 2009 Human Rights Report for Zimbabwe identified chronic, politically sanctioned anti-gay discrimination, violence, and torture at the hands of Mugabe’s minions, including rape of lesbians and gay men forced into heterosexual acts, with some raped by family members, ostensibly to “cure” them. The NGO, AIDS Free World, reported in December 2009 that the 70 women it surveyed reported being raped on average five times and possibly higher, as the women often became unconscious during the brutal sexual assaults.
I must admit this is the first time I have heard about ‘corrective’ rape taking place in Zimbabwe. Maybe the victims were afraid to come in the open and report these crimes, that is if there is anywhere to report and also if there is anyone who is going to listen to them and do something about it.
The issue of lesbian and gay rights has always been a very sensitive issue in Zimbabwean society and it might be the case in many other communities, all because of culture, tradition and religious beliefs.
But, is it difficult to let everyone be what they want to be or be what they are?
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