Help defend and protect LGBTQ+ rights in Tanzania

We feel not safe. But we refuse to be invisible.

The country’s attempt to attack LGBTIQ organizations and individual activists who are spearheading the fight for #EqualityinTanzania is just one reminder that the fight for LGBTIQ rights is at risk and LGBIQ individuals are not safe in this country.

“I would like to remind and warn all organizations and institutions that campaign and pretend to protect homosexual interests … we are going to arrest whoever is involved and charge them in courts of law,” the Interior Minister said

“Those who are interested in homosexuality should go and live in countries that entertain such businesses. If there’s any organization in the country that supports and campaigns for homosexuality … it shall be deregistered.”

After the minister making all the statements our organization decided to hire some experts to sturdy the currently laws and find if there is any possibility of litigating our government, after the sturdy we discovered that:

• The criminalization of homosexuality and discrimination against LGBTIQ persons is illegal under Articles, 12, 13, 15 and 16 of the Tanzania constitution and the restrictions of membership of LGBTIQ organizations violate Article 20.
• These penalizations against LGBTIQ people also violate Articles 2 and 3 of the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, which Tanzania has signed and pledged to uphold
• In 2014, the African Commission on Human and People's Rights ruled against anti-LGBTIQ persecution
• Tanzania's anti-LGBT stance also contradicts the human rights principles of the Commonwealth Charter.

Now we have have a good start since we have established that our government is wrong and also have the sections that protect us. This government is violating our rights, so we are taking action to show our government and the world that what is going on in this country is wrong. We are seeking your support and partnership in the fight to show our government that the LGBTIQ community is as valuable as any other individual; we are now ready to use the judiciary system to seek justice and make sure the destructive agenda is stopped.

Due to regular threats we have been forced to relocate to a smaller town to ensure the safety of our staff and the individual we serve, but still we need a better place.

We urgently request for your support to ensure the fight for #EqualityinTanzania is a reality before things are worse, we do not have to wait for tomorrow the time is now. Please pitch in right away to support LGBT Voice and fight back against the  hateful agenda of this government?

Links:

• THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
• African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
• African Commission adopts landmark resolution on LGBT rights