Fun Fast Facts:
Updated: 19 Aug 2014 (Progress but still fighting for official recognition)
- The legal status of same-sex sexual activity is ambiguous. There are no explicit laws against homosexual sex however laws exist that make “practices against nature” an offence.
- Mozambique is one of only three countries in Africa to offer any form of discrimination protections for gay, lesbians and bisexuals, which have been in place since 2007.
- There is no recognition of same-sex relationships.
- As of 2010, 11.5% of people were HIV positive, however infection rates among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) are relatively low in city areas, particularly compared to other sub-Saharan cities.
- 56.1% of the population of Mozambique are Christian with the Ministry of Justice stating that evangelical Christians represent the fastest growing religious group in the country.
- A September 2013 survey of people in the major cities of Maputo, Beira and Nampula found moderate levels of support for the legal recognition of same-sex couples and parenting rights.
Progress but still fighting for official recognition
Broadcast: 19 Aug 2014
LGBTIQ-friendly organisation: LAMBDA – Mozambique Association for Sexual Minority Rights
- LAMBDA is Mozambique’s only LGBTI organisation.
- LAMBDA promotes civic, human and legal rights of the LGBTI community through public awareness and education as well as advocacy and social dialogue.
- LAMBDA has four main objectives:
- The reduction of prejudice and discrimination against LGBTI citizens.
- The recognition and protection of the equality of rights of LGBTI citizens.
- The strengthening of self-esteem and the protection of sexual and mental health of LGBTI citizens.
- The recognition of LAMBDA as the voice of LGBTI citizens.
W3JOY interviewed: Danillo De Silva and Frank Lileza from LAMBDA in Maputo
“Our core intervention is raising awareness on issues about discrimination and stigma.”
“We have submitted those papers (to the government) but the government hasn’t yet said anything regarding the registration. Since then there has been silence. We’ve had several meetings, even with higher officers here in Mozambique. The issue is very delicate and they are not in a position of neither saying yes or no. But they can’t say no because there is nothing in the law that can prevent an organisation that advocates for LGBT rights to be registered.”
“I knew when I was five that I was gay because I feel something different. I feel like ‘oh my god it’s me’. I like things that my sister likes. I don’t like things that my brother likes. Why is this happening to me? Why?”
“My mum knew from the beginning that I was like different. My mother said ‘I knew you were different when you were eight but I didn’t know how you were different. Is this something I have to treat? Is this something I have to do different?”