Chesterfield Samba

“I feel free to live the life I have always wanted to without fear of rejection or condemnation from those close to me. I no longer get questioned about why I prefer men or am not married yet”

“"I feel honoured to be recognized for the work we are doing in Zimbabwe, although the road has not been easy but like any other person in the country we also want our basic human rights respected”

“Despite all these challenges and the speech by President Mugabe on Monday at the United Nations against gays, I will continue to fight for the rights of all our members”

“We hope that the government will soon seek to amend the Criminal Code which continues to criminalise consensual adult same-sex sexual conduct in violation of our constitutional rights. We are however concerned at the continued harassment of human rights defenders in the country”

“There are challenges in this country for LGBTI, and we'll find a way to overcome them. On the ground the attitudes are not as bad as they are higher up”

“Usually when anything political is happening, the vilification of the [gay] community begins”

“People are being tracked down in clubs and bars, at their jobs and homes, because they are suspected of being gay”

“While there may be individuals in Zimbabwe who would welcome the legalisation of same-sex marriages, for us the priority is for the everyday human rights of gays and lesbians to be protected”