Botswana legalized consensual same-sex conduct in 2019, marking a significant milestone for the LGBTQ+ community. Growing up as an openly gay man was challenging, particularly after my uncle shared a photo of me with my mother, leading to a year of silence between us. University became a turning point where I embraced activism and utilized LGBTQ+ centers in Gaborone. These centers provided essential resources like legal advice, therapy, and HIV prevention. Despite societal challenges and recent global funding cuts threatening these centers, the ongoing efforts aim to foster wider community acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Botswana only legalized consensual same sex conduct in 2019, so growing up as an openly gay man was tough, and I experienced numerous setbacks.
The centers soon became a haven for me and LGBTQ+ people throughout Botswana, offering legal advice, therapy support, and providing contraceptives and drugs to prevent and treat HIV.
Despite the progress we've made as a country, these centers are now at enormous risk due to global funding cuts, leading to dwindling access to crucial resources.
We have a long way to go in terms of mobilizing the wider community to accept LGBTQ+ people and support their rights.
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