Intersectional vulnerabilities and differential impacts of COVID-19 responses on young people who sell sex in Zimbabwe.

The varying impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on different populations has brought into focus the pre-existing inequalities which shape vulnerabilities amongst marginalised and key populations. More nuanced approaches which understand intersectional vulnerabilities and differential impacts of the pandemic on gender and sexuality diversity within these groups are required. We investigated the economic, social and health impacts of COVID-19 on young people of diverse genders and sexualities who sell sex (16-24 years) in Zimbabwe. We found that all groups had heightened vulnerability to economic and social hardship during the first two COVID waves in Zimbabwe. However, vulnerability was unequally distributed by geography and socio-economic position, as well as by gender and age, both within and between groups of participants. With limited funding resources for the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the push for universal health coverage, nuanced approaches which include analysis of multidimensional vulnerabilities between and within groups is required to develop the most cost effective and impactful policy and programme interventions.

"Lezibian/mulezi": adoption of "globalized" lesbian identity and secondary self-labels among same-sex attracted women in Harare.

Drawing from ethnographic research, incorporating informal conversations, semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion, the paper explores the subjective meanings and construction of the "lesbian" identity in a "hostile" environment among selected same-sex attracted women in Harare. While the globally circulating identity labels are loaded with historical baggage which can be limiting or confusing in non-western contexts, most of the study participants related to some of the labels that are prominent in the present-day, western-inspired global discourse on same-sex relations. Self-styling and the quest to exhibit masculine decorum was a central aspect in the narratives of most "butch" identifying women. For most butch identifying women being lesbian was closely interwoven with considerations about one's gendered self. However not all participants were comfortable with the circulating identity labels as they found them restrictive and loaded. While subjective preferences of the participants demonstrate complexity in how "lesbianism" is locally constructed and experienced, the lesbian identity is certainly not obsolete in Harare among same-sex attracted women.

Experience of and factors associated with violence against sexual and gender minorities in nine African countries: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research was to assess physical and sexual violence experienced by sexual and gender minorities in nine African countries, and to examine factors associated with violence. METHODS: We conducted an exploratory multi-country cross-sectional study among self-identifying sexual and gender minorities, using a survey tool available in paper and online. Participants were sampled through venue-based and web-based convenience sampling. We analysed data using descriptive statistics and logistic regression, with Stata15. FINDINGS: Of 3798 participants, 23% were gender minorities, 20% were living with HIV, and 18% had been coerced into marriage. Fifty-six per cent of all participants had experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, and 29% in the past year. Gender minorities had experienced significantly higher levels of violence compared to cisgender (sexual minority) participants. The variable most strongly associated with having experienced violence was being coerced into marriage (AOR, 3.02), followed by people living nearby knowing about one's sexual orientation and/or gender identity (AOR, 1.90) and living with HIV (AOR, 1.47). CONCLUSION: Sexual and gender minorities in Eastern and Southern Africa experience high levels of violence. Sexual orientation and gender identity need to be recognised as risk factors for violence in national and regional law and policy frameworks. States should follow the African Commission Resolution 275 and provide protection against violence based on real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Gay, ngochani, ordaa, gumutete and mwana waEriza: 'globalised' and 'localised' identity labels among same-sex attracted men in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Drawing on ethnographic research, this paper explores self-understandings among same-sex attracted men in Harare along with the local terms such men use to refer to themselves as well as their adoption and modification of globally circulating sexual identity labels. All study participants related to some of the labels that are prominent in the present-day, western-inspired global discourse on same-sex relations. However, they were rarely understood in the exact same way that is represented as typical in the 'west', indicating that when understandings and labels travel, they are not simply copied and pasted into new contexts. In Harare, being gay was closely interwoven with considerations about one's gendered self, and many same-sex relations were gender-structured. At the same time, this characteristic appeared to be a matter of emerging dispute, as it was sternly criticised by some. The history of political homophobia in Zimbabwe shone through in many stories and could be identified in some of the local terms used to refer to gay people, some of which had been invented to conceal from outsiders what they laid bare for insiders, and others of which had sting and mocked those in power for ideas and rhetoric perceived to be misguided or bizarre.

"Managing identities" and parental disclosure of HIV sero-status in Zimbabwe.

Drawing from a small sample of HIV infected respondents, this paper examines parents' perceptions on the decision to disclose or not to disclose their HIV sero-status to their children. It explores how parents control the information in the interactional ritual with their children. The paper uses Goffman's concept of dramaturgy to analyse how parents manage and control disclosure within a context where HIV and AIDS is associated with stigma. Disclosure is a strategic encounter in which the interactants (parents) manage to create a desired identity or spoil an identity. Qualitative research incorporating focus group discussions and in-depth interviews was used to examine the perceptions of parents who are HIV positive on disclosure of their status to their children. Such a methodological approach allows for a nuanced understanding of the context in which decision to disclose status happens. The study findings show that in a social context involving parents and children as actors there are complex expectations which affect parental disclosure of HIV sero-status to their children. The desire to manage an expected identity militated or enabled disclosure in a parental relationship.

Taraidiwa ["We Have Been Raided"]: Effects of and Meanings Ascribed to an Assault on an LGBTI Function in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Drawing on first-hand fieldwork experiences, conversations and interviews, this paper describes and analyses the violent attack on a GALZ event in Zimbabwe in 2014. A gang of unidentifiable men stormed the event and assaulted those present. The paper explores this attack on the LGBTI community in Zimbabwe as a sign, drawing on Peirce's theorizing of signs as triadic. We describe the emotions, acts and reflections the raid gave rise to, and the intense speculation about who stood behind the attack. The paper demonstrates how precarious sexual minority activism can be in a context of oppression and opposition, and how unsettling and disrupting hate violence can turn out to work.

'Trophy-hunting scripts' among male university students in Zimbabwe.

Drawing on a multi-method qualitative study, this article examines 'trophy-hunting' scripts among male university students in Zimbabwe. 'Trophy hunting' is a term I have adopted to refer to hegemonic masculinity rituals through which men gain social admiration for dating and having sex with as many women as possible. I argue that this trophy hunting is exacerbated by the 'crisis of masculinity' which has been brought about by the harsh macroeconomic environment in Zimbabwe. The latter has reduced men's access to the material trappings that denote successful masculinity in a competitive and materialistic environment. Sexual scripting that is based on such trophy hunting makes students susceptible to acquiring HIV infection. Research was conducted with 69 male social-science students at a Zimbabwean university, and the findings were analysed within a post-structural conceptual framework. The findings point to the existence of 'toxic masculinities' among male students. In their endeavour to live up to hegemonic masculinity expectations of the university bachelor, they end up being trapped in what can be described as 'toxic masculinity entrapments.' There is a need to challenge these identities if efforts against HIV and AIDS are to be successful.