March, 2017

March, 2017 Volume 1, No. 3 Ordaa! Stronger together

Contents Celebrating International Women’s Day! Job Opportunities ������������������ 1 nternational Women’s Day 2017 was orientation Celebrating Women’s Day! �� 1 celebrated in both Harare and Bulawayo. • Patriarchy manifests itself within the LGBTI IThe management of GALZ decided to honor community as well as there is a bias towards Film Training & Festival ��������� 2 and host women within the organization and gay and bisexual men and as a result women those from other partners’ organizations such have limited voice or platform to speak on their Young Matters ������������������������� 2 as Trans Smart and Pakasipiti in Harare and issues. VOVO in Bulawayo. The events saw a total • There is still need to advance the rights of Trans* Day of Visibility ���������� 3 of 86 participants with 64% being either, women as women face violence in public lesbian, bisexual women or trangender spaces and in their homes and for LBT women men. Transgender women and gender non- it is especially difficult to get justice as fear of 5 lessons from pain ���������������� 3 conforming individuals constituted 16.3% of being outed is a barrier to reporting abuse. the guests, the remainder were other invited • The common factor that linked group Queer Voices ������������������������4 community members. members was that they identify as women but some of their struggles were different as a result It was an opportunity for the women and women of differences in age, sexual orientation, gender membership to raise awareness of issues within identity, language, religion, family structure, the lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LBT) financial standing, etc. community. Job Opportunities While in Harare, it was highlighted that there is In Bulawayo, the quorum discussed the an increase of correctional rape or sexual abuse GALZ seeks to fill the positions of Programme opportunities available for women within cases. Men within society are raping lesbian Officer Gender and Key populations and the the organization. women to ‘correct’ that which they view Finance and Admin Officer. Both posts are Guests shared is wrong. These cases and many more based in Harare. stories of their in which members are being violated, lives especially discriminated and verbally abused The Programme Officer Gender and Key around gender and because of their choice in dressing and populations’ duties will be to ensure the sexuality. The stories because of their body language are interests of women members of GALZ are included the day the tips of the iceberg. LBT women are represented in all areas of GALZ’s work. to day challenges compounded by societal expectations. that women face Discussing possible opportunities within The Admin Officer will be responsible for and issues they the organization, the women suggested the day-to- day office maintenance (both have to deal with capacity building, skills for life and SRHR premises & equipment) in a systematic in the community services as part of the package that could manner and ensuring smooth functioning of (both mainstream assist members in knowing what to do in the office. and LGBTI). instances of abuse. They also had a The positions were advertised on various chance to share As part of the celebrations, the women media platforms including the Kubatana their narratives are running a campaign called the platform. Applications closed on the 20th of using art. They Sanitary Ware Drive to help each other in March 2017. painted and drew light of the further worsening economic representations of crunch. Applications are currently under review and themselves and women in general. Some of the only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. issues that came out of the depictions were: Overall the events brought with them lessons for The selected individuals are expected to • The heteronormative nature of mainstream both men and women within the organization. assume office on May 1, 2017. society makes it difficult for LBT women as they There is still work to be done to ensure equal are a target by virtue of their gender and sexual opportunities for men and women. Ordaa 1 March, 2017 March, 2017 Vol 1. No 3 Young Matters Rainbow 263 Film Training & Festival My struggle with sex and sexuality as a ALZ in partnership with the Beijing dating back as far as the 1960s. To further young gay teen Gender Health Education Institute inspire participants Xiaogang shared with the G(BJQU) hosted the first Queer participants his experience running Queer Growing up in Zimbabwe, as a young University Video Capacity Building Training Comrades in China. He also went on to talk person with a different sexual orientation in Africa. The training was held from the 3rd about their LGBTQ webcast and the Chinese was very difficult and still is as an adult. But – 9th of March 2017 in Harare, Zimbabwe. LGBT movement and its development. I can handle the life stressors better than International acclaimed filmmakers Kit Hung in my teens. When I look back those years and Xiaogang Wei were part of the trainers Participants were asked to produce a human I was going through puberty and dealing with the dilemmas of being a teenager, I together with Collen Magobeya and Time size drawing on how they see their body get all teary. I still get emotional about it, Baluwa from Zimbabwe. then come up with questions based on their experience sharp pains in my chest and drawing. In pairs, they took turns to interview tense up. each other on camera and produce a 2 minutes video My teen years were dark years filled with clip. A total of 13 videos uncertainty, clouded by suicidal thoughts were produced during the and fear. Behind closed doors and under training, with the assistance the blankets I used to wonder how my of trainers. Participants future would be as an adult gay man. The were able to come up with future looked bleak, lonely, coated by ideas, scripting, filming and isolation and possible incarceration. I knew back then, that if I give in to my feelings, editing. All videos were emotions and thoughts, I was doomed. screened and analysed by As a churchgoer I knew the bible had the trainers and trainees for condemned me to death and I had no hope the purposes of feedback of being with the angels in the after life. and sharing of techniques. Something a lot of young children or teens fantasy about. The training offered 3 46 applications were received, out of which 9 trainees the opportunity to direct and The laws of the country had labeled boys were selected to take part in the training. The produce their own documentaries. or men like me criminals. I had read in selection criteria included competence of Through a 5-minute pitching contest, the the local Sunday paper that anyone who the English language and computer basics, 3 were selected and will be provided with was attracted to people of the same sex was labeled a sodomite and must be put a background in multimedia, photography, technical and financial support. Out of the in prison. In the Sunday mass, the priest journalism and filmmaking were an added 3, 2 outstanding trainees will be selected to said we were sodomites, given our hearts advantage. Links to previous works were attend the Chinese Film Festival in Beijing. to perversion and will burn in hell. I used required for those with the to wonder why me? I used to wonder if it aforementioned qualities. was a punishment for what my parents Geographical location was might have done? I also wondered if it considered to allow those was because I had stolen sugar from the in marginal areas who do mother’s jar or the peanut butter I scooped not often get opportunities from the grandmother’s tin while she was to advance their skills to not looking? participate. Participants I would wake up in the morning at home or were from Harare, Mutoko, in the school dormitory with a heavy heart. Masvingo, Bulawayo and Facing another day was hard full fear of Norton participated. what I might become in my older years. No one knew about my fears or my story back The program, which was then until later years in my last years of mainly based in Asia focused high school. I also knew being gay man in on important elements of film Zimbabwe was nothing compared to being making for LGBTI groups. The in hell as preached by the priest. training explored lighting and composure, online video/video news production, filming The Rainbow 263 Film Training concluded There was no one to share my feelings, practice, video editing, documentary theory with a 2-day Film Festival that was held in fears and thoughts with. My parents had never discussed about sex or sexual and production, contemporary works and Harare. Over 80 people attended the festival feelings with my siblings or me. They were the history of queer films and their purpose over the 2 days. The Film Festival showcased highly educated professionals with good in the modern day. international films and local documentary jobs. The schools I attend only taught us films produced for the LGBTI community. The about puberty stages and abstinence. Trainees were shown works that were highlight features of the festival were the Being Christian schools, the idea of sex was created by previous participants of the award-winning best picture film Moonlight governed by fear of ending up in purgatory. Queer University training in Asia and other and Kit Hung’s Soundless Wind chime. To be continued... international works created over the years

Ordaa 2 March, 2017 Vol 1. No 3 March, 2017

Trans* Day of Visibility

Globally, the trans* community is highly various organisations, to hear and discuss discriminated against and stigmatised. This trans* realities in Zimbabwe, and map a way results in the community members suffering forward as to how to empower the trans* a myriad of issues related to well-being such movement in the country. as poor mental and physical health. The International Trans* Day of Visibility seeks The major commitment made by nearly all to remedy this by encouraging the trans* participants was that they would evaluate community and its allies to promote and and correct any negative behaviours or ideas celebrate trans* identities. that they had towards or about the trans* Upcoming events community. Another major commitment and occasions GALZ and TIRZ collaborated to celebrate was to advocate for trans* rights in their this day through a film screening and spaces. discussion. The event brought together 10 Occassions: members of the trans* community from Trans* community members also committed April 14 - 17 2017 : around Harare, along with 14 allies from to not stigmatising each other. Easter

April 18 2017: 5 lessons from pain Independence Day There is something about the past that is so 1. Learning to let go should be learned be- Harare Activities: addictive, it could be familiarity that breeds fore learning to get. — Ray Bradbury LBT: comfort or replaying scenes over and over Inner peace is achieved when you remove • Site visits again to find answers, yet most of the ex- yourself from things that longer contribute • Proposal writing workshop haustive process leads to the mind being to your growth and happiness. Stop chasing entangled in a web of confusion and echoes pavements and begging for attention from Youth: of should have, could have. everyone, everywhere. Don’t be afraid to • IDAHOT Art worksop close doors that do not lead to your goals. We all have our own habits, whether good

or bad. Mine is stocking up every little piece 2. It ain’t about how hard you are hit. It is Membership: of paper or notebook that I have scribbled about how hard you can get hit and keep • Site visits something in. On the rare occasions when moving forward. How much you can take • Social Saturday I do decide to clear my bookcases to make and keep moving forward. That is how win- April 29, 2017 space, I find myself, looking for an excuse for ning is done! - Rocky Balboa keeping every piece of paper and notebook, So what, it didn’t work out, you put in work, Bulawayo activities: then end up restocking them again, even did your best, don’t give up. If you want it SRHR workshop adding more to the piles with the hope that so bad you have to keep your head up, no Social Saturday these will come handy at some point. Emo- matter how much you feel defeated, if you tional baggage... can look up, you can get up.

Applications: I am trying so hard not to fall into that temp- 3. Choose all weather company, people who • IAS Educational Fund scholarship on HIV tation of dwelling on the past, but then I get not only celebrate you but also inspire and science the inner voice arguing that, if you don’t go motivate you. Be they virtual or physical, be • African Leadership Centre Peace, back to look for answers how can you move sure to be with people who do not dampen Security and Development fellowship for forward. Deep down I know it’s my mind just your spirits. Misery loves company, be with African Scholars giving me excuses to pile negative emotions positive people who uplift you, shut does for • The Allard Prize Photography: Contest 6 again. people who belittle you, or make you feel photos of human Rights Issues and Anti- hopeless and worthless, you don’t need that To find peace with myself for my own well- type of energy. corruption efforts being I’m slowly coming to terms with the fact that although messy, scary, painful, and 4. The two most important days in our lives, unsettling, with change comes growth. I the day you are born and the day you find For more information contact: am getting rid of the papers no matter how out why. - Mark Twain. Find your purpose; Harare: +263 772 210 836 precious they might have seemed at some follow your passion you have nothing to re- Bulawayo: +263 773 196 744 point, I am letting go, the same applies to gret but regret. memories, places and people that no longer contribute to my growth and well- being. 5. The biggest mistake is not making a mis- take, because you will never learn. Life is a www.galz.org Despite all the pain, fears, regrets and mis- big game, no one has the secret, live, make takes, I now choose to focus instead on what mistakes, learn and keep playing don’t be so these experiences have taught me. Below hard on yourself. Negative self-talk and wor- Pics: ©via google.com are some of the important lessons, which are ry will not contribute to your wellbeing and ©GALZ helping me to pick myself, hope they save success. you too. - Miles Tanhira (AFRIcTRANs Wordpress Blog)

3 OrdaaOrdaa March, 2017 Vol.1 No. 3 March, 2017

GALZ is a membership organisation providing services to the Zimbabwean LGBTI community

Whether you are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Intersex (LGBTI) and living in Zimbabwe, you are part of our community. Join GALZ in reaffirming its commitment to upholding and defending fun- damental Human Rights and freedoms.

We offer the following spaces for interaction: Youth spaces Womens spaces Mens spaces and Social Events For more information, contact: For more information, contact: GALZ, 35 Colenbrander Road, GALZ Bulawayo: 26 Moffat Road, Milton Park, Harare, Zimbabwe Northend, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Tel: (04) 741736 • Tel/fax: 740614 • email: [email protected]. Tel: (09) 208908 • email:[email protected] Mobile/ WhatsApp: +263 772 210 836 Mobile/ WhatsApp: +263 773 196744 Website: www.galz.org @galzinf GALZ (page)

Queer Voices

The women in our lives: LBT Women’s coordinator Qb is 2017 Women’s Day Champion!

As an LBT woman what has been the say YOU did your best in every single most fulfilling thing about the work? transaction. Why did you volunteer to represent women? As a lesbian woman listening to Where do you see the women’s understand other women’s stories has movement? Women make my heart sing and it been most fulfilling. Listening to the has always been my dream to heal, fears, challenges and successes really There is a saying that says; “Never champion and inspire other women reflects on the transformation of the doubt that a small group of thoughtful, to be who they really want to become. greater realm and seeing wholeness committed people can change the A woman must prevail against her manifesting into the lives of individual world.” The movements have always guilt (women going outside the ’norm’ women. been there and its time women take are perceived as guilty or generally charge and be bold enough to stand blamed if anything goes wrong within What do you hope your legacy will for their rights otherwise the rights will the family) and be willing to suffer it as be? remain unprotested. I stand with other a price she must pay for her freedom. I women in the women movement in see myself as a soft but radical feminist The legacy I aspire for is to keep to my making things happen and breaking willing to reclaim her life and the lives of integrity and love. To fulfil the thoughts new grounds. The unspeakable will be other women moment by moment. that will eventually become actions spoken and the voiceless will be voiced. and at the end of the day women will Ordaa 4