BY Sibusiso Malunga
When IDAHOT (the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia) came around in May, what crossed my mind first was how the celebration of IDAHOT actually escalates the exact homophobia and transphobia the day stands against. With the raising of rainbow flags by allies, the much-needed conversation around sexual and gender minorities is generated on various media platforms, albeit drenched in negativity with some few positive ones helping provide correct information, amid the ignorance (and misinformation?). Violence against sexual and gender minorities escalates around that time and before we completely recover, pride month makes its way.
As I write this reflection, I am weary of reflecting from a place of fatigue in responding to the now ever-increasing safety and security threats and violations faced in the country…But, the task is to reflect on pride month and the politics it comes with. For context, I live in Zambia, one of the countries that still criminalizes sexual and gender minorities with a minimum of 14 years upon conviction. This law , which is a colonial legacy, exposes LGBTQI persons to various violations including violence, arbitrary arrests, blackmail and stigma, and discrimination in accessing social, economic and health services among others. The irony is that in present times, the same colonies responsible for these laws are notably some of the closest allies when it comes to SOGIE.
I did a quick Google search and this is the definition that came up on Pride. According to Glaad, Pride is ‘an opportunity for the community to come together, take stock and recognize the advances and setbacks made in the past year. It is also a chance for the community to come together and celebrate in a festive, affirming atmosphere’. When I read it, I wondered if this is what I experience in my country. My experience is that during pride, we face increased safety and security threats including heightened stigma and negative rhetoric in both mainstream and social media which tends to fuel violence against sexual and gender minorities. In effect, rarely does the community organize any LGBTQI activities during Pride month due to the increased safety and security threats. While the world organizes Pride parades and celebrates in different ways, Zambian LGBTQI activists come together to plan ways of mitigating and responding to safety and security risks that are anticipated around June.
While I understand that Pride was first a protest, I am also cognizant of the people who end up paying for any increased visibility within communities with their mental health, and in some cases, lives. However, this narrative is not as present in the celebrations around Pride as some countries have made more progress than others. Perhaps others wish to cling to celebrations considering the everyday struggle that being queer can come with. So maybe a party to forget is not a bad idea. Just that it’s not possible to forget in some contexts as even a party, if not properly handled, can have dire consequences (read 14 years imprisonment) for some unfortunate LGBTQI persons. In a country where wearing a rainbow apparel/outfit can put one at risk of violence, ‘pride’ tends to be deferred to a later date. So what does Pride mean for a person living in a country like mine?
The fact that in a context as limiting and as hostile, sexual and gender minorities still find ways of organizing pride activities in safe and secure places, albeit post the actual pride month , is pride! This showcases how various individuals and organisations continue to stand in defiance of the majority social norms, and celebrate marginalized identities. Despite the ever increasing homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, LGBTQI persons continue to curate lives that offer a level of affirmation to our existence and the people that we are by celebrating love, starting families and existing within nuclear communities. With the current wave of progress in other countries within the African continent including Angola, Mozambique, Namibia and Botswana, there is hope for progress in countries like mine. Lessons from countries within the continent show the impact of strategic litigation and general societal awareness raising in ensuring decriminalization of sexual and gender minorities and reduction of stigma, discrimination and violence amongst the community. Ending this reflection on this note allows for me to dream of a better future for all LGBTQI persons, especially if we continue to harness the lessons and strengthen transnational, trans-movement and regional solidarity. Now, this is PRIDE!