Swaziland: The LGBT community celebrates Pride in Eswatini

Hundreds bravely came together to celebrate Pride despite living in a country that has banned their sexuality.

Being gay has been illegal in the Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, since the British colonized the African nation in the 18th century.

Activist Mangaliso Mndzebele told Metro.co.uk that the country, one of three monarchies remaining on the continent, has historically viewed LGBTQ+ people as “satanic”.

Former Prime Minister Maphevu Dlamini said in 2018: “Being gay is an anomaly and a disease.”

Most LGBTQ+ people in Eswatini are still living in hiding, local activists said.

Common law in Britain criminalizes sodomy between two men, and although it makes no reference to women, it is considered a blanket ban on same-sex relationships.

The law was not enforced by police or courts for decades, but LGBTQ+ communities say they are still “subject to human rights abuses” in their daily lives.

This is because the community fears they will lose their jobs, be separated from loved ones and experience prejudice.

Despite all of this, more than 300 people gathered last Saturday to celebrate who they are.

“It brings hope. Every time we have a Pride event, it brings hope,” said one of the Pride organizers, Sisanda Mavimbela.

Sisanda explained that in previous years, when Pride was not constrained by the Covid-19 pandemic, crowds grew larger at night because people only felt safe when their identities were hidden in the dark.

But this year, many more people were “exuberant and proud” during the day, Sisanda said.

Maxwell Gumbi attended Pride for the first time last weekend and enjoyed it so much he now thinks it “should be held twice a year”.

He said the day made him “proud to stand up for his rights”.

Eswatini had its first-ever Pride in 2018, when international pressure helped ensure the community received permission and protection to march through the streets.

But that hasn’t happened since, leaving charities and activists to plan and fund all Pride events since then.

Sisanda’s organization Eswatini Sexual & Gender Minorities joined forces with seven other NGOs this year to create a “safe space” for LGBTQ+ people.

They rented a country club in the town of Manzini, paid for private security, organized entertainment, and invited their business and government allies to show their support.

According to reports, the Ministry of Health was the only government agency there.

Metro.co.uk has reached out to Eswatini Parliament for comment.

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