Imagine living in a country where your very existence—and the words you speak—can land you in prison. This is the everyday reality for LGBTQ+ Tanzanians: driven underground by fear, threatened by violence, and denied dignity.
Criminalized Identity, Criminalized Love
On the Tanzanian mainland, same-sex acts remain illegal, punishable by life imprisonment. Even consensual heterosexual anal or oral sex is criminalized. In Zanzibar, same-sex acts between women may result in up to five years in prison. These laws are carryovers from colonial-era statutes long overdue for repeal Wikipedia.
A State-Sponsored Witch-Hunt
In late 2018, Dar es Salaam’s regional commissioner, Paul Makonda, urged citizens to report LGBTQ+ individuals. Within 48 hours, authorities received thousands of tips—and launched a surveillance squad of police, lawyers, and doctors to identify and detain suspected LGBTQ+ people, even using social media as a hunting ground WikipediaWikipedia.
Countless Tanzanians—like Halima and Khamisi—were forced into hiding, exile, or homelessness out of fear for their lives .
Torture, Forced “Anal Exams”, and Arbitrary Arrests
Many documented abuses include forced anal examinations, torture, physical assault, and other degrading abuse under the guise of law enforcement “evidence gathering” operations. In 2023, Muharami Hassan Nayonga received a 30‑year sentence for engaging in anal sex—one of the harshest penalties yet WikipediaWikipedia.
Activists and Foreign Voices Silenced
Even visiting activists aren’t safe. In May 2025, Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire were detained, blindfolded, sexually assaulted, and dumped at the border—all for attending court proceedings in Dar es Salaam. Their brutal treatment sent a chilling message: dissent isn’t just dangerous—it’s forbidden FacebookX (formerly Twitter).
Courage Amid Chaos
Despite the crackdown, grassroots activists continue to resist. LGBT Voice Tanzania, founded in 2009, has become a lifeline—warning community members when danger arises, arranging safe shelter, providing legal support, and campaigning globally to raise awareness of state violence .
They are not just advocating for rights—they are defending lives.
Why This Should Matter to You
-
Global solidarity amplifies safety: When activists and allies in New York, London, and beyond raise their voices, oppressive regimes feel the heat.
-
Visibility protects lives: Public platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook can shine a spotlight and pressure institutions to act.
-
Your voice elevates theirs: A shared post, a comment, a mention—these simple acts ripple outward, pushing back against attempts at erasure.
What You Can Do
| Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Share this post | Increases visibility—LGBTQ+ Tanzanians need global witnesses more than ever. |
| Tag influencers or organizations | Encourages institutions like the UN, EU, and global human rights NGOs to pressure Tanzanian authorities. |
| Support  LGBT Voice Tanzania | They provide direct legal aid, crisis support, healthcare access, media advocacy, and political organizing. Donations and partnerships help sustain vital operations lgbtvoicetz.org |
| Advocate for travel warnings and sanctions | Diplomatic pressure—like past U.S. visa restrictions on officials—can help deter future crackdowns WikipediaWikipedia. |
A Final Word
For many LGBTQ+ Tanzanians, being visible isn’t bravery—it’s a risk to survival. Safe shelters are temporary. Clinics that once offered affirming care have shut down. Activists live under the threat of arrest at any moment.
If we remain silent, we are complicit. But if we speak out—just one shared article, one tag, one donation—we push back. We expose hidden violence. We affirm the human dignity of those under threat.
Now is the time to act. Stand with LGBTQ+ communities in Tanzania—because their lives matter, and their rights are urgent.
