Reflection: Malawi holds first gay pride

Chanting voices were heard throughout the centre. It was a celebration marking International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT). The Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), a human rights organisation which protects rights of minority groups, held Malawi’s first ever Gay Pride festival in recognition of this day.

Antony Banda* is gay. He is aged 24 and one of the individuals who was a patron of the event, said, “I can’t believe it’s happening in Malawi. I have been discriminated against and on several occasions. Even my peers have attacked me.”

Banda was dressed simply in his denim shorts and a white golf shirt. On his face some foundation, eyeliner, and lipstick. “They just don’t understand who I am, especially when looking at my appearance. But despite that I like who I am.”

Participants of the gay pride parade competed for prize money equivalent to R2 500 for first place, R1 600 for second place and R830 for third place. CEDEP’s Senior Programs Manager, Rodney Chalera, said the gay pride is a game changer to Malawi’s LGBTI community. “To us this is a milestone because some ten years ago we couldn’t have done it. The LGBTI people lack a safe space, and we are very happy that we held this gay pride,” he said.

Marchers out at Malawi’s first Gay Pride

Urging an end to “discrimination and stigma” he expressed hope that the government will start to engage with the community on a broader basis rather than merely “as the people most vulnerable to HIV/Aids”. He pointed out culture and religious values as some driving forces. “If we have some challenges it’s all to do with our culture, it’s our religion and it’s all to do with our laws,” Chalera said.

This theme “Love Makes a Family”, was a call to show love among people regardless of their sexual orientation. Chalera explained: “It is only love that makes a family. We feel that making this the theme for the year we will be emphasising why parents should be lenient when they see that their children don’t conform to the gender norms Malawi’s society has.”

According to CEDEP, the government’s failure to come up with a clear-cut stance on homosexuality is endangering the lives of gays and lesbians in Malawi. Homosexuality is illegal in Malawi and the offence attracts up to ten years in jail for men and up to five for women. “We need to rise up now,” says Chalera.

“As citizens of Malawi it’s high time we started pushing legislators for change in a bid to end the discrimination the LGBTI community is facing.”

It’s been a year since this first march, again IDAHOT came and went, but with less fuss this time around. No march. There has not been a notable behavioural change when it comes to the public and its views towards integrating the Key Populations in its activities. And Government too seems reluctant to take up the issue of according rights to KPs.

There was much ado about the first march and change takes time. Here’s hoping this haitus is simply part of the process of behaviour being slow – rather than paused indefinitely.