Gays and Lesbian Association of Zimbabwe (GALZ) Experiences of sensitizing health care providers on health needs of LGBTI people in Zimbabwe Caroline Maposhere Zimbabwe Gays and Lesbian Association of Zimbabwe (GALZ)

Presentation Outline Background Sensitisation sessions Countries that criminalise same sex relations Impact of criminalisation Effects of reinforced negative messaging Barriers to health care Sensitisation sessions Stereotyping Introspective sessions on Journey of life binaries and boxes Reactions to training sessions Lessons learnt Conclusions

Background – Countries that criminalise same sex relations

Background Impact of criminalization Same sex relations secrecy and silence black mailing, extortion society stigma and discrimination State criminalization

Background Effects of reinforced negative messaging on LGBTI people Self stigma, feelings of guilt, shame and feelings of low self worth among LGBTI people prevent them from seeking care Fear of being reported to the police Fear of ridicule in community Withdrawal, isolation, depression, suicidal

Background Barriers to health care homophobic statements from media, national leadership and religious leaders lead to health care providers have negative and discriminating attitudes towards LGBTI groups Misdiagnosis because of poor history taking where embarrassing and intrusive questions are asked When did you decide to be gay? Do your parents know that this is what you are doing? Don’t you want to have children? So how do you do your sex?

Sensitization sessions – Stereotyping Discuss how different groups are stereotyped Left handed people Twins Albinos Discuss terms, negative labels and all the degrading names used on LGBTI people Paper squashing exercise

Introspective and Reflective sessions: Journey of life Define sexuality – (Use WHO definition) Think back on personal life events from birth – circumstances around birth and why they got their names etc Diagrammatically present sexual life story - time line Share story

Making the journey of life – time line

Sensitization sessions – Binaries and boxes Sex Gender Sexual orientation Sexual practices

Reactions to the sessions and new information Have you given these sessions to our leaders? Why are we not taught these things in training? This is truly an eye opener I repent I will change my attitude towards these people It will take time but I will try to change I did not know that these people are genuinely born that way

Lessons Learned With appropriate skills and approaches, It is possible to conduct sensitization sessions and discuss sensitive topics with different audiences It is possible to train service providers in human sexuality even in hostile environments

Lessons Learned Advocacy for sexual rights of sexual minority groups like LGBTI communities cannot be a stand-alone agenda - success can be achieved if strategies are in acceptable entry points HIV programming Gender Based Violence discussion There may be need to identify and nurture champions to cascade trainings Create safety nets for protection of champions

Conclusion LGBTI people exist in Zimbabwe as they do in every culture and society although their existence has been overlooked and denied by authorities. There are a lot of misconceptions that homosexuality is a behaviour introduced to Africa by foreigners It is difficult for LGBTI to seek for health care fear of prosecution, persecution most cultures do not seem to sanction same sex relationships nor accept anyone different - not fit into the binaries and boxes Changing the attitudes of service providers is possible

Acknowledgements GALZ Aids Fonds Global Fund

Thank you!