Tanzania's LGBTQI+ caught between a rock and a hard place

Photo: Serengeti, Tanzania by Hu Chen on Unsplash

This is part of a series on What’s On Queer BC which shares LGBTQI2S+ experiences around the world.

Tanzania's LGBTQI+ caught between a rock and a hard place

By Daniel Itai

Tanzania's LGBTQI+ is in a precarious position, receiving a battering from both the government and the civic society.

The harsh LGBTQI+ laws that have been pegged by the government make it almost impossible for anyone from that fraternity to be, let alone come out.

Being found to be a member of the LGBTQI+ community can lead one to life imprisonment or even death especially within communities that practice Sharia law.

The rules imposed against the LGBTQI+ community are so harsh even initiating that kind of dialogue can lead one in murky waters.

I myself thought things had now changed under the new administration of President Samia Suluhu Hassan who became the country's first female Head of State after taking over from the late Dr. John Magufuli who passed on in March this year. Unfortunately that has not been the case.

Just to show you how much the act of same sex relations is abhorred, engaging in oral or anal sex with anyone of the opposite sex can actually put you behind bars with serious ramifications from the society and you do not have to be caught in the act, all that is needed is for that kind of engagement to catch wind so even if it is based on false accusations you might find yourself in serious trouble.

To find more tangible information about the well-being of the LGBTQI+ community in Tanzania I engaged with Salumu Hatibu, convenor of the LGBT Voice, "Things have not changed, the LGBTQI+ community still faces the same problems and challenges they faced during the past administration."

Salumu noted what the LGBTQI+ community in Tanzania want most is protection and recognition as stigma and persecution are the norm of the day, "The major challenge at the moment is legal support, we need a lawyer to represent us and also provide legal consultations, education to the LGBTQI+ community and the general public.

Same sex relationships are not a priority at the moment but we would want to see acceptability and protection of the LGBTQI+ community then recognition of same relations can come."

With that in mind, I then asked Salumu why they were asking for funds and how one could donate, "Yes we are currently raising funds because we do not have an institutional funder and therefore, all our funds come from small online donations. At the moment, we need funds to cover office rent and hire a lawyer. The fundraising is not doing well because we are not even sure of reaching our goal. Anyone who wants to donate, can do it through our website or other links provided on our social media platforms."

To be honest, I for one was even shocked to hear back from Salumu when I reached out considering the repercussions that one might incur if they are found to be a member of the LGBTQI+ community.

From the LGBT Voice Website

LGBT VOICE is a registered national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) organization working to advance equality, diversity, education, and justice for LGBT people in Tanzania.

Although Tanzania is a member and a subscriber of the United Nations Human Rights Declaration, the government does not comply with its international human rights obligations, and provides no protection against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. In addition, homosexuality is criminalized in sections 154-157 of the penal code, and the state does not recognize marriage equality rights for all couples, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.