Dear Anita

I was reading “How LGBTQI+ Groups in Zimbabwe Fight for Change and the Right to Political Participation” on how activists are campaigning for equality.

Mojalifa Ndlovu is an openly gay man who travels 250 miles to attend Gays and Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe (GALZ) to discuss the rights of LGBTQI+ people. The coalition provides a safe space for individuals to meet.

Mojalifa has experienced threats like having unknown cars following him home. And I Zimbabwe same-sex relationships are not allowed.

He is an outspoken activist for LGBTQI+ rights stating “To achieve meaningful and lasting change, we believe first in harnessing individual and collective self-determination, voice, agency, and empowerment of marginalized, vulnerable, and key populations. We believe it is when they are empowered, they are capable of challenging and redressing the deep-rooted inequalities and inequities that predispose them to multiple vulnerabilities.”

By providing safe spaces where LGBTQI+ people can gather and talk about things can provide a sense of mental health support and acceptance. It takes a small amount of individuals to change the world and no matter how difficult it may seem there is always light in the darkness. One candle can make the darkness brighter.

If a person who identifies as LGBTQI+  is in a place where they might not be safe, there are resources out there for them.