Thursday, November 21, 2013

CULTURE/SOCIETY - Transgender Day of Remembrance: Remembering Naoimi

On International Transgender Day of Remembrance ZIMBABWE’S GALZ Pays Tribute to Naoimi

Screen Shot 2013-11-20 at 12.30.02 PMWe pay tribute to Naomi, Zimbabwe’s very own trans woman who championed the struggle for LGBTI rights in so many ways. She came out at a time when there was very little to no information on transgender people. Born 4th in a family of 8, Naomi a very active member of GALZ, Naomi never shied away from controversy. In her hometown of Mabvuku, a township about 25km outside Harare, most people considered Naomi’s behavior feminine.

Naomi fought for inclusion and acceptance even within the GALZ women’s program.  She was never included in these activities. She was a victim of violence in public spaces owing to her gender identity. She attempted suicide three times in her life, following a period in which society shunned her. But nothing stopped her tenacious fight for LGBT awareness, rights and freedoms.





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