In Maseru - LGBT+ march to belong

There were so many people on the street it was hard to find the ground. Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community (LGBTI), as well as their supporters and allies, rallied in Lesotho’s capital of Maseru. The march was organised by the Peoples’ Matrix, an LGBTI advocacy organisation. The theme: “We need lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people to be seen as unique individuals within their own context.” A heavy police presence stood at attention – ready to protect the LGBTI persons in attendance against anyone who might disrupt the march.

In his opening speech, Lieketso Kokome, one of the organisers from Mazenod, spoke to homosexuality being a controversial issue subject to serious debate. Not only in Lesotho but across the continent and in most parts of the world. The transgender man addressed the issue of religion, of homosexuality being considered immoral and a sin in the eyes of God, as one of the many reasons individuals often put forth to rationalise their hateful behaviour towards LGBTI persons.

“People who identify as (LGBTI) are faced with a lot of problems such as discrimination, harassment and violence by their fellow Africans,” he said. The march was intended to be the expression of visibility indicating that LGBTI rights are human rights. The marchers held up banners proclaiming: “Embrace Rights of LGBTI” while other placards read, “We are human”.

Tampose Mothopeng, a transgender man from Maphotong Roma who has worked for the Peoples’ Matrix for a decade said, “We want to say to people we are here. We are part of the community. Include us in the community…the message we are sending out there is clear and can only be summed up in two words – acceptance and tolerance.”

The organisers were also celebrating their various milestones in their respective journeys of advocating for LGBTI rights. The sense of pride and celebration was palpable. The marchers who felt part of the larger community weren’t afraid to take to the streets and claim their space. Supporters sang freedom songs with others sporting rainbow-coloured clothing. The march was also a platform to create further awareness about LGBTI issues to encourage the greater community to be more accommodating.

Two participants admitted that it was important for them to attend the public statement because their lives often felt restrained. This, because they regularly hide their sexual orientation and identity to avoid being harassed or stigmatised.

“It took me a long time to disclose my sexual orientation to family and friends – I already know their attitudes towards LGBTI persons. When I decided to be open about it, my father wanted to disown me, telling me that I don’t qualify to be called his son,” Ariel Pheko*, one of the marchers, recalled. “Despite the challenges we are facing, we want to have power over our bodies and be free from gender norms, expectations and stereotypes.”

Zee Lehola* said, “I never thought I’d see myself on the forefront fighting for LGBTI rights. But I have realised that we should take a leadership role because we know our situation better than anyone else.”

Lawyers from different organisations were invited and were given a platform to educate members about LBGTI rights, as well as who to approach for help when violations occur. Several speakers spoke about freedom from discrimination. Speaker after speaker repeated the phrase “End discrimination”.

In reflecting on the challenges ahead in the LGBTI legal arena, Advocate Mpho Maema – the Director for the Women’s Law Clinic Organisation – indicated that there is still a long way to go. “We should speak out against instances of inequality and recognise that the core principles of non-discrimination and equality are accorded to everyone by our Constitution,” she said. She quoted civil rights activist Thurgood Marshall saying: “Equality means getting the same things, at the same time, and in the same space.”

Maema shared some legal facts with the crowd including that same-sex couples cannot marry or adopt children, immigrations laws remain biased against LBGTI persons, and that government still refuses to repeal sodomy laws which are prejudicial against gay men. Through these points she illustrated that LGBTI issues continue to present legal challenges that need to be addressed.

Advocate Mohau Maapesa from Women and Law in Southern Africa (WILSA) echoed various sentiments shared by different speakers. She addressed the idea of what human rights entail in the LGBTI context. She said that her office provided various forms of legal services to LGBTI people at no cost. And anyone experiencing abuse or in need of related legal advice was encouraged to approach her office.

Although many churches are the least accepting of homosexuality, there is one bishop who was behind the march. He had intended to attend the march, but ill health kept him away. Still, he sent a message which was shared with the crowd:

“God is love and His love is unconditional. If Christians are supposed to love everyone as the bible says, why do they hate homosexuals?

We must understand that if people consider homosexuality a sin, it can never be the only sin on earth. Why isolate homosexuality as the biggest of them all?”

Different media houses were also invited to spread the message of acceptance and tolerance further. Parting ways, the message was: “Do away with any moralistic prejudices against LGBTI persons and respect the humans they are.”

*Name changed to protect source’s identity