Today, let us look into how outdated colonial laws continue to shape the suffering of LGBTQ+ people in Tanzania — and how Pride Month, along with 16 years of LGBT Voice Tanzania, reminds us why we must fight to heal and reclaim our future. Colonial Laws: A Legacy of Harm Tanzania gained independence more than […]
In 2009, a small group of LGBTQ+ activists in Tanzania made a bold and dangerous decision:To exist.To organize.To speak out—when the world told them to stay silent. That decision became the beginning of LGBT Voice Tanzania. Today, we mark 16 years since that courageous step. Sixteen years of working at the frontlines of queer survival
🛑 Can you imagine waking up every day knowing your identity could cost you your freedom — or even your life? This isn’t just a nightmare — it’s the lived experience for countless LGBTQ+ individuals in Tanzania. Here, same-sex relations are criminalized under colonial-era laws, and queer people are often subjected to state-backed violence, forced
The ChairpersonCommission for Human Rights and Good GovernanceDodoma, Tanzania Dear Chairperson, Warm greetings from LGBT Voice Tanzania. On this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT), commemorated globally under the theme “The Power of Communities,” we take this opportunity to raise our voice and bring urgent attention to the harsh realities faced by
In Tanzania, the criminalization and persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals remains one of the gravest human rights challenges of our time. Despite Tanzania being a signatory to numerous international human rights treaties and having a constitution that guarantees dignity and equality for all citizens, members of the LGBTQ+ community continue to suffer from unjust arrest, inhumane
In many parts of the world, being LGBTQ+ is increasingly recognized and accepted. However, in Tanzania, the reality is starkly different. Here, being open about one’s identity can come at a devastating cost. The Struggles of Living as LGBTQ+ in Tanzania For LGBTQ+ individuals in Tanzania, daily life is often a struggle for survival.
Championing LGBTQ+ rights and human dignity is an ongoing journey that demands unwavering commitment, empathy, and proactive measures from individuals and communities across the globe. This mission involves not only advocating for equal rights but also fervently challenging any form of discrimination and fostering environments where everyone can live authentically without fear of prejudice, harm,
The LGBTQ+ community in Tanzania endures numerous hardships and trauma due to entrenched societal norms and legal hurdles. 1. LEGAL PENALTIES A major challenge is the criminalization of same-sex relationships, which can result in harsh legal consequences, such as incarceration. This legal system creates an atmosphere of fear and concealment, compelling many individuals to mask
The situation for LGBTQ+ individuals in Tanzania involves serious violations of human rights, such as unwarranted arrests, imprisonment, torture, and coercive anal exams. These actions not only severely infringe upon personal freedoms and dignity but also underscore the entrenched discrimination this community endures. Despite global criticism, Tanzanian authorities persist in imposing severe penalties on LGBTQ+
Coerced anal examinations, often conducted under the guise of verifying an individual’s sexual orientation, represent a profound violation of human rights. These intrusive procedures, which are always forced upon individuals, particularly target members of the LGBTQ+ community, subjecting them to degrading and inhumane treatment. Such examinations are not only scientifically baseless but also inflict severe
