Homosexuality as a silent insider: a call for social work discourse among Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals (LGB) in Zimbabwe

Abstract

While Zimbabwean laws are not divergent from those of most countries in the region with regards to criminalising same-sex relationships, social work discourse in this topic remains unarticulated. However, the law, in itself, is not the only real culprit in the politics of sex and sexuality, and there is very little evidence to indicate how powerful the law is in acting as a deterrent. In this article the author reviews literature evidence in corroborations with debates and discussions on the prevalence of multiple problems facing homosexuality scenery. The paper also highlights that Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals (LGB) have a higher prevalence of social challenges than heterosexuals. This article argues the hate speech and the didactic morality of the leadership, among others, are part of authentic reasons why individuals are not realising their human rights as sexual citizens, and are instead being actively vetoed from accessing public social service facilities. This detestable behaviour is born from patriarchal values and social systems that are being propped up by laws, policy, the media and other institutions. This paper revealed that LGB in Zimbabwe experience prejudicial events, expectations of refutation, hiding and concealing, internalized homophobia, and ameliorative coping processes. In this case, the paper suggested that social work, as a caring profession has role in play in protecting the LGB against life adversities in Zimbabwe.

Keywords: homosexuality, social work, Zimbabwe