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Gay Prostitution Hits
Streets of Harare
GAY prostitution is moving out of
the shadows in Harare.
14 Apr 2007- Harare-
Zimbabwe- Although male prostitutes have been working Harare's streets
for decades, seeking wealthy gay men wanting a quick liaison they have
become more open, moving into nightclubs and bars seeking clients rather
than hiding in the dark.
In the 1970s Africa Unity Square,
on the Third Street side, used to be a favourite hunting ground for male
prostitutes. A dense patch of shrubbery provided sufficient cover.
Later, as the ladies of the night expanded their territory from Kaguvi
Street into the upper Avenues, the male prostitutes followed suit,
although in far smaller numbers.
Residents complaining about the
rampant soliciting in the later 1980s also complained about the young
men and when the police finally launched a crackdown on immorality, the
men disappeared along with most of the women.
Besides this social nuisance there
is a far darker side to male prostitution with persistent reports that
some gays target children living on the streets. That still remains
secretive and hidden.
But adult male prostitution is
slowly moving out of the shadows. Gay business is brisk with several
nightclubs like Pensao and Tipperary's being the most fertile hunting
grounds for males seeking relationships with members of the same sex.
During visits to Pensao and
Tipperary's identifying "gays for sale" at first seemed impossible but,
just like the women, the gay prostitutes are the ones who approach and
solicit for clients.
"Hi girlfriend," the gays greet
their prospective sexual partners on entry at one of the clubs. By
identifying one as girlfriend, it would mean that if that person decides
to become intimate with any one of those gays, then he would play the
female role.
The same applies with one being
identified as boyfriend, the client plays the man's part.
So rife is the practice that it is
openly discussed as gay patrons enjoy their drinks and our
investigations revealed that some gays don't like partners who are
smokers and hard drinkers.
But how much does it take for a
one-night stand with a "girlfriend" or "boyfriend" of your choice?
According to one "Phillipa", who had shown interest in having me as his
boyfriend, $200 000 was just about the minimum.
"Short time party, $200 000 is cool
boyfriend," he cooed with a seductive smile.
He was clad in a pair of tight
hipsters, tight muscle shirt and a head-turning perm hairstyle, not
mentioning the expensive perfume that he was wearing.
Besides his hoarse male voice,
Phillipa's gestures, smile, eyes and moves in front of me were feminine.
"We can't walk from here to my
place, why not hire a cab," he said. The women seeking men gave the same
warnings. The police pounce on known prostitutes walking the streets
with clients.
A second gay prostitute introduced
himself as Mobby.
He was tall, muscular and so
imposing that a first glance at him would make one assume that he was
either a wrestler or a top-notch bodybuilder.
We chatted for a while before he
asked for a soft drink.
"I would prefer a soft drink
girlfriend. Sprite, lemon anything soft," he said with a smile.
It was surprising that Mobby's
voice was even lighter and sharper than Phillipa's.
I quietly made my excuses and fled.
But it seems Harare can offer
anything.
Several prominent personalities
have in the past been implicated in cases of picking up men in
nightclubs with the shocking revelations that former chief executive
officer of the then Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Alum Mpofu
resigned following allegations of his involvement in homosexual acts at
a nightclub in Harare.
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