“Live and let live, we are all one people” 

Shamiso Kumalo believes that nobody should be limited because of being lesbian, bisexual or queer (LBQ). Originally from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and now living in Harare, Shamiso is a mother of two and a volunteer with Pakasipiti. After attending an event back in 2017, she has been a member of the team since, raising the voice and visibility of queer women in Zimbabwe and protecting their safe spaces. But being LBQ in Zimbabwe poses consistent challenges.  

Being an LBQ woman in Zimbabwe

As LBQ women, we are not recognised. Firstly, by law, sometimes even in our homes and by our families. You’re not recognised in the sense that even if you want to say you are lesbian, people don’t understand and will say “we don’t have people like that” or say it is “abnormal”, “you’re not a person” and you get called all sorts of names.  

A lot of things are really difficult. Sometimes even just walking in the street you experience all the jeers and sneers. You can try to go on with your own life, but sometimes it gets difficult because there’s some parts of the society where they say you cannot do this because you are LBQ. I identify as masculine; you can see that in how I dress and I’m comfortable like that. This can really hinder a lot of opportunities for us like when you are looking for a job because people don’t understand that. 

When it comes to sexual and reproductive health issues, sometimes we’re not even recognised. It’s thought that lesbians are not a population prone to diseases and so we’re left behind. Many times, whenever you’re seeking medical attention, you just don’t disclose that you’re a lesbian. Because of this, we don’t have a lot of data and information around lesbian women because it’s not actually collected. 

But as much as it is like that, we try to have places where we can be free as ourselves. Where we can just be and live our lives. 

Belonging, safety and freedom  

One of those places is Pakasipiti. If I’m there, I’m at home and I don’t have to hide who I am. I don’t have to lie about what it is that I want or what it is that I do. I’m free. Pakasipiti is providing a sense of belonging and freedom for LBQ women and getting just a little bit of freedom really means a lot. If you can be happy even for 10 minutes a day, it makes a difference in a lot of people’s lives.  

Pakasipiti has opened our minds when it comes to our rights. Most people never know that they can say “but I cannot be treated this way” and “I’ve got the right to do this because, first and foremost, I’m a human being.” Pakasipiti has really opened up our minds to that.  

I attended my first programme with Pakasipiti in 2017 and since then have been a volunteer. Mainly I am helping out at the Wellness Centre, at the workshops, setting up and mobilizing the members and making sure people are comfortable. I also help with writing proposals and coming up with ideas.  My motivation for this is that I love to see people happy. When we manage to gather four, five, 10 or 20 people in a space and I see them smiling, enjoying themselves and learning, it brings joy to my heart.  

Pakasipiti really provides a safe space and a welcoming environment to the LBQ community. Alongside that, Pakasipiti has taught us a lot in so many different areas such as policy and about other movements. I really hope that Pakasipiti will continue to be that kind of space where people are not afraid to go to, where there’s no one there to judge you and they offer us their home. 

Celebrating the community

My hope for the future is to see myself being able to live my life and really be in love with whoever I want to be in love with. To have my family without being looked down upon, to not be judged, be treated as a normal person and just be me. I want to see a community that’s together, where we love one another, everyone is happy and a world free of hatred. 

I want to celebrate that LBQ women are more empowered now than they were 10 years ago. LBQ women are doing wonderful things out there, opening up their own businesses, making their own money. We can take care of our families and take care of ourselves because of the work of our own hands. 

My message this Pride month is: live and let live. We’re just one people. 

Womankind have partnered with Pakasipiti to hold intergenerational conversations through the Movement Strengthening Fund (MSF), to advocate for LBQ rights through Her Voice fund (HVF), and now they are Womankind’s Strategic Grant Partners.