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Lesotho: Religious allies and community protests

Fun Fast Facts

  • The Kingdom of Lesotho is a landlocked country completely surrounded by its only neighbour, South Africa
  • Lesotho was a former British protectorate
  • 40% of the population living below the international poverty line (US$1.25 a day)
  • 90% of the population identifies as Christian
  • Same sex activities between men are illegal however no prosecutions since the 1970s
  • Female same-sex sexual activity is legal
  • Chid Welfare Protection Act prohibits single men and unmarried people from adopting children
  • HIV effects around 24% of the population – the third highest rate in the world

 

LGBT organisation: Matrix Support Group

  • Non-Government organisation working to advocate for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals in Lesotho.
  • Received legal recognition as an organisation in 2010 – the first of its kind in Lesotho.
  • Will be working with Population Services International (PSI) Lesotho on the country’s first HIV prevention programme to specifically target Men who have Sex with Men (MSM). The project will include the distribution of high-quality condoms and condom-compatible lubricants.

W3JOY interviewed: Tampose ‘Tee Pee’ Mothopeng from Lesotho’s Matrix Support Group

“LGBT members came together to fight against the challenges that they come to”

“(we) Aim to create an environemtn where the LGBT members can freely regardless of their sexual identity contribute in the political, economical and social development of our country”

“Currently even for the government to help us out especially in advocacy on health issues or human rights issues, it’s never easy because of the sodomy law”

“We also have the outreach that we do in the country especially in districts where we visit other LGBT communities.  It’s not restricted to only the LGBTI individuals but it is inclusive to the heterosexual groups so that we make sure that we sensitise the entire community that is living in the area.”

“It’s all about the culture and religion that we have.  People tend to be stereotyped because of the pressure from religion and culture”

“IDAHOT event was successful but not successful.  Comparing it to the previous IDAHOT activities it was the best march that we had.  Most people didn’t show up to the march.  It didn’t come out as I was expected.  The most successful thing was that the parents managed to join us as LGBTI community just to sit down with us and understand clearly what is happening.”

“We also Played them Prayers for Bobby just to indicate the challenges that some people are going through and the impact to the LGBTI community and how we can solve it”

 

Published on: Nov 7, 2013 at 21:18

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