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Zambian Inside worker reveals how NGOs overlook homosexuals
16 Oct 2006- Lusaka- For the
sake of loving and accepting everyone no matter what they do, they are
whatever race or religious, it’s time Zambia accepted that, this country
has a lot of gays, lesbians and transsexuals living among us in most of
the communities.
I work for a Non Governmental
Organisation (NGO) in Lusaka, despite having a higher position the
director will not allow us to take on or accept homosexuality issues.
This organisation I work for, receives good funding from the western
countries. The founders have even taken a step forward by asking if at
all the organisation supports everyone no mate what their sexuality is
and how we would want to address such issues regarding funds.
The director went on to dismissed
the whole issue, having to give a reason that it would cost us the whole
organisation. This is why there is no much support for LGBT out here.
There is no one standing out for us, if organisations would not want to
look into the matters of LGBT or acknowledging that we are here who
will?
Some organisations have even got
rules saying “No Over Friendly Behaviour” referring to homosexuals, but
what’s surprising is that this country is so friendly and you will be
surprised that the very homosexuals they discriminate add up the that
friendliness of this county.
We really are impressed by
Africcanveil’s impact to the LGBT issues that’s never been talked about
in this country in a long time, at least someone has had the guts to
create this work which is really beneficial to a lot of people
especially Zambian gays, lesbians, transsexuals and intersex, we all
know what happened to the one that they tried to form called “LEGATTRA”
which really disappointed a lot of us. It’s the only way we are
communicating through other gay’s organisations and not only that but
also having to read what’s happening around Zambia, Africa and the rest
of the world. This is what we can call the only Zambia LGBT organisation
and website otherwise all the best to the Africanveil team.
One thing that the government should
understand is that we are also humans, it’s not about watching gay porn,
explicit gay material or dressing in drag no, it’s about expressing
ourselves and being able to express it in our home country.
It’s amazing that we are now able to
access Africanveil, and not forgetting that internet access in Zambia
has really grown, it’s a huge step forward and we will still continue
fighting until that day when we will be recognised. Having to work at
the NGO has been a good experience but the worst part is realising that
you are working with people who discriminate others because of their
sexuality.
Please note that Africanveil could not give out the name of the
organisation and the person for security reasons.
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