vox pop from dar

December 6, 2004: A small survey of LGBT people in Dar es Salaam highlights the main issues of the day among the community. The countries LGBT organisations and the Zanzibar bill which is yet to be signed into law by the President.

Age: 26.
Profession: A teacher at a primary school.
Gender: Female.
Q: Are you a member of any LGBTI organisation?
A: Of cause yes, I am a TELESA member.
Q: Are you out?
A: Well am only out to the people who are interested to know about my sexuality.
Q: What do you think is the reason for the delay in the signing of the Zanzibar Bill?
A: Maybe the President is just busy or he fears the pressure from international human rights organisations against him or perhaps the President opposes that bill.
Q: Who are your role models?
A: My partner is my role model.
Q: How do you find life being an LGBTI in Tanzania?
A: It's somehow difficult to live in the community which is against it but still I am managing to accept myself.

Age: 24.
Profession: Journalist
Gender: Female.
Q: Are you a member of any LGBTI organisation?
A: Of cause yes, I wanted to empower myself with LGBTI issues.
Q: Are you out?
A: Everybody who knows me; knows I'm lesbian.
Q: Who are your role models?
A: My mother, the burden she coveted on me and the way she endured all the problems, I wish I had her strength.

Age: 18.
Profession: Student.
Gender: Female.
Q: Are you a member of any LGBTI organisation?
A: yes, since 2002.
Q: Are you out?
A: No, because of the policies of the government.
Q: What do you think is the reason for the delay in the signing of the Zanzibar Bill?
A: Not sure but I can think of the political pressures from human rights organisations.
Q: Who are your role models?
A: Musa Ngubane, because she is a strong woman and she is supportive and educative.

Age: 27.
Profession: Hooker
Gender: Male.
Q: Are you a member of any LGBTI organisation?
A: Yes, CPSS.
Q: Are you out?
A: Most people in Dar es Salaam know me and some have been my partners especially the big bosses whom I cannot mention.
Q: Who are your role models?
A: AHS

Age: 53.
Profession: Accountant.
Gender: Male.
Q: Are you a member of any LGBTI organisation?
A: Yes, CPSS
Q: Are you out?
A: Yes, but only to some people.
Q: What do you think is the reason for the delay in the signing of the Zanzibar Bill?
A: As it is not signed I wish the community can work together to stop it from being signed.
Q: Who are your role models?
A: Winnie Mandela.
Q: How do you find life being an LGBTI in Tanzania?
A: OK but there are obstacles like police harassment.
Q: What is your opinion on the effectiveness of LGBTI org in Tanzania?
A: They should come together to achieve and be on the same level as other organisations from out side!

Age: 40.
Profession: Consultant
Gender: Male.
Q: Are you a member of any LGBTI organisation?
A: Yes, CPSS, I am an underground activist.
Q: Are you out?
A: Yes, but only to a few people.
Q: What do you think is the reason for the delay in the signing of the Zanzibar Bill?
A: Maybe the president is lazy, or afraid, or he is taking this as a joke, one other thing the President has signed the human rights charter!!!!!
Q: Who are your role models?
A: Elton John, because he is important to his society, but he still came out.
Q: How do you find life being an LGBTI in Tanzania?
A: Hectic because people sometimes don't know how to mind their own business.
Q: What is your opinion on the effectiveness of LGBTI orgs in Tanzania?
A: They identify people out there, hence I think it is strong

Age: 31.
Profession: Secretary
Gender: Female.
Q: Are you a member of any LGBTI organisation?
A: Yes, I am a volunteer at TELESA
Q: Are you out?
A: Yes but only to friends
Q: What do you think is the reason for the delay in the signing of the Zanzibar Bill?
A: Because of worries about international org's and governments.
Q: Who are your role models?
A: The late President Nyerere.
Q: How do you find life being an LGBTI in Tanzania?
A: Life is good but difficult because of religion and the government's attitudes.
Q: What is your opinion on the effectiveness of LGBTI orgs in Tanzania?
A: I wish Tanzania can accept & recognize TELESA and that TELESA can convince people to decide on what they want to do like same sex marriages.

Age: 30.
Profession: Unemployed.
Gender: Male.
Q: Are you a member of any LGBTI organisation?
A: Yes, since 2002.
Q: Are you out?
A: No because the government do not allow that.
Q: What do you think is the reason for the delay in the signing of the Zanzibar Bill?
A: I think different international organisations outside Tanzania oppose that bill.
Q: What is your opinion on the effectiveness of LGBTI orgs in Tanzania?
A: Through CPSS I have attended workshops and seminars and now I know my human rights.

Age: 23.
Profession: Hotelier.
Gender: Male
Q: Are you out?
A: Due to the harsh environment here I am only out to a few people, just selected audiences like very close friends and other people in the lifestyle.
Q: What do you think is the reason for the delay in the signing of the Zanzibar Bill?
A: I am only a small person in this country, I guess that things like that go very slowly. I am sure that it will be signed and this will be a catastrophe for the LGBTI people in my country.
Q: Who are your role models?
A: AHS is my role model here, and abroad, a musician called Michael is the one. Both have in common that they are activists, out and can stand on their feet to confront whoever is against LGBTs.
Q: How do you find life being an LGBTI in Tanzania?
A: This is a really sensitive issue because life at times seems as if it is normal but it is really difficult as gay people are discriminated against by the police and rejected from our families, religious institutions - it is like psychological torture.
Q: What is your opinion on the effectiveness of LGBTI orgs in Tanzania?
A: First and foremost I appreciate the very good work of CPSS. For instance in my case CPSS helped a lot during my difficult time when my landlord evicted me when he found out that I was MSM. Our organisations should find more ways of empowering its members in the human rights advocacy skills, HIV/Aids care and awareness - a resource centre would be helpful.

Age: 26
Profession: Small businessman.
Gender: Male
Q: Are you a member of any LGBTI organisation?
A: CPSS is my home - a place I call heaven. Viva CPSS and alluta continua!
Q: Are you out?
A: Only to a few close friends.
Q: What do you think is the reason for the delay in the signing of the Zanzibar Bill?
A: Maybe the government fears repercussions, as Tanzania brands itself on being a haven of peace in Africa. Another reason might be that the President takes it to be weightless and that it has no immediate political impact. Lastly, maybe things are just slow - it can be signed anytime, even today. Sincerely, I have no idea.
Q: How do you find life being an LGBTI in Tanzania?
A: Life in Tanzania is really tough; a lot of insults from general public - they call us Satanic, immoral and calling us so many abusive words. More awareness is needed to fight this.
Q: What is your opinion on the effectiveness of LGBTI orgs in Tanzania?
A: I have to appreciate so far where we are is because of them - it is better than before the inception of these organisations. Most of us were alone and in the closet, so I credit them for the work that they do which has made us where we are today - to sit here and talk about it openly with you. It is very good work they do - but much more is needed.