Addressing the dynamic needs of LGBTQ+ people

We are proud to bring you this report!  LGBT Voice Tanzania just celebrated its 15th anniversary in June and this month marks the beginning of our second half of the year. Thanks to our supports and friends who helped us accomplish a lot in the first half of the year. Our main focus efforts were set to relieving the pain and agony endured by LGBT+ individuals in police custody because there is a rise in anti-LGBT+ rhetoric and violence that the community is facing across the country that  worsened in April – we are working hard to make sure everyone is safe

Because of your support we have seen what the power of unity can do.  We have been able to secure essential legal counsel to 23 LGBT+ individuals who were arbitrary arrested as you all know Tanzania is still among the unfriendliest countries for LGBT+ persons, with harsh penal laws and entrenched community and institutional bias and discrimination, thanks because we are moving one step closer to a more accepting Tanzania.

Due to limited resources the implementation of KUISHI PROJECT is very slow but we intend to speed the work in this second half once the resources are available, the fact is that  we will continue to prioritize the provision of legal support because it is the major need that we can`t ignore at the moment. Every day, individuals in Tanzania face discrimination, arbitrary arrests, faced anal examination and rejection due to prejudice based on gender identity and sexual orientation, and that calls for a collective action in order to change lives.

Personal Story:  My name is Masawe, I live in Karatu, northern part of Tanzania, I was arrested by the local police and they charged me with homosexuality, I was detained for 4 days and endured all the torture and abusive language by the officers. Thanks to LGBT Voice Tanzania, they learned about my situation and sent a lawyer who bailed me out before I appeared in court , after a few weeks my case was dropped and I`m free but still afraid may be they can arrest me again.

Our duty is to ensure that no LGBT+ person is arrested, detained and tortured based on their sexual orientation and gender identity,

Appeal:  I`m kindly asking for your contribution that will go directly towards providing legal counsel to those who are arbitrary arrested and detained, we need at least $,3000/= by July ,31.