MOURNING THE DEATH OF A "HERO"

By Lesego Tlhwale (BTM Intern)

Gay rights activists across the world are mourning the death of fellow activist, a colleague and a friend to many, Keith Goddard who passed away on Friday 9 October following a short illness.

Goddard was the Director of Gay and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ), an LGBTI organisation in Zimbabwe.

As condolences pour in, from all corners of the world, it is evident that, to many, Goddard was a true hero of the gay rights struggle in Zimbabwe, and a great contributor to the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people and GALZ.

One of the highlights in his life was when he and other Zimbabwean activists participated in one of the historical protests organized by the Gay and Lesbian Activist Alliances of Washington (GLAA).

The protest took place in 1995 at the Zimbabwean Embassy, following a statement by Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, calling for the arrest and detention of gays and lesbians also labeling homosexuals as “worse than dogs and pigs.”

Speaking about Goddard activists said “As someone who only encountered Keith Goddard via email, I salute his courage in the face of threats and vilification from his own government. His life was a shining example of strength and resolve”, said Rick Rosendall of GLAA.

 “We stood with Keith and his courageous GALZ comrades as they resisted state harassment, defended individual LGBT people, demanded their rightful place at successive Book Fairs and defied President Mugabe’s many public threats and attacks on  LGBT Zimbabweans”, said Peter Tatchell of OutRage!

“He was a great person with a big vision for the LGBTI rights in Africa. May our sweet God rest his soul in peace”, said Emmanuel Kamau of Other sheep in Texas.

“it is deeply unfortunate to hear this. My heart goes out to the organisation and to all member of his family”, said Adebisi Alimi.

“Keith’s commitment and contribution to regional human rights advancement, HIV and AIDS activism and LGBTI politics has been tremendous. His advocacy work and profiling of the lives and experiences of fellow LGBTI people in Zimbabwe and Africa have been key to the human rights work and advancement of people’s lives”, Thuli Madi, Director of Behind the Mask said.

Keith Goddard has been an active member of GALZ for over a period of two decades. He joined GALZ as a member in 1992 and was appointed as the Programmes Manager in a 1996. In 2006 he was appointed as the Director.

Keith will be remembered as a pioneer and hero of the LBGT liberation struggle in Africa.

May his soul rest in peace!