News (World)

Zimbabwe president threatens to expel diplomats who promote gay rights

Zimbabwe president threatens to expel diplomats who promote gay rights

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe on Friday threatened to expel foreign diplomats who try to promote gay rights in the southern African country.

Robert Mugabe
Robert Mugabe AP (File)

Mugabe, 90, said Europeans must keep their “inhuman” homosexual practices within their own territories and not try to impose them on Africans, reports New Zimbabwe.

“We did not fight for this Zimbabwe so it can be a homosexual territory,” said Mugabe, during a nationally televised ceremony marking the 34th anniversary of the country’s independence from Great Britain.

Mugabe said he was “warned” years ago of a “secret organization” in Europe to recruit young men into homosexuality.

“We will never have that here and if there are any diplomats who will talk of any homosexuality, just tell me. We will kick them out of the country without any excuse. We won’t even listen,” he said.

Article continues below

Male homosexuality is illegal in Zimbabwe, and in 2006 the country’s government amended the law which now states that sodomy is any “act involving contact between two males that would be regarded by a reasonable person as an indecent act,” thereby criminalizing holding hands, hugging, or kissing.

Mugabe said his country will not give in to Western demands for Africans to decriminalise “sodomy.”

He has previously called for the beheading of gays.

Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

S.C. town questions anti-gay mayor’s abrupt firing of lesbian police chief

Previous article

College rescinds commencement invite to Dustin Lance Black over sex photos

Next article