Lesotho, Africa

The Lesotho Government is a constitutional monarchy. The Prime Minister  is head of government and has executive authority. The king serves a largely ceremonial function; he no longer possesses any executive authority and is prohibited from actively participating in political initiatives. 

Lesotho is severely afflicted by HIV/AIDS. According to recent estimates, the prevalence is about 29%, one of the highest in the world. The United Nations projects that this will rise to 36% within fifteen years resulting in a sharp drop in life expectancy.

The constitution also protects basic civil liberties, including freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of the press, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of religion. However, male same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Lesotho, but female same-sex sexual activity is legal. Sodomy is prohibited as a common-law offence. It is defined as “unlawful and intentional sexual relationship per anum between two human males”.

 

 

Marching against homophobia in anti-gay Lesotho

In Lesotho, where same-sex intimacy between men is illegal, a local LGBTI advocacy organization has held a peaceful march for the second year in a row, seeking justice and fair treatment for LGBT people. More than 200 people attended this week’s event, according to The Hub, a Lesotho-based website that supports human rights and protection… Read more »

Sex workers to hold peaceful march

Maseru- Lesotho tomorrow joins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. The brainchild of American doctor, Annie Sprinkle, the event has been observed on December 17 since 2003, and brings together sex workers, their advocates, friends, families and allies.  The Day calls attention to AIDS, hate-crimes… Read more »

A cross-sectional assessment of population demographics

HIV risks and human rights contexts among men who have sex with men in Lesotho. Abstract Background: Evidence is increasing of high HIV risks among southern African men who have sex with men (MSM). This represents the first study of HIV risks and human rights contexts among MSM in Lesotho. Methods: Two hundred and fifty-two… Read more »

Lesotho: LGBTI Support Group Registered

In what has been described by activists as a significant milestone for the Lesotho Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, transgender and Inter-gender (LGBTI) communities, November 2010 saw the registration of MATRIX support group as a Non-Profit Organisation by the Lesotho Law Office. Men who have sex with Men (MSM), Women who have sex with Women( WSW) and… Read more »

Gay Lesotho News & Reports

1 Secret lives of lesotho gays and lesbians 3/09 2 AFRICA: Prevention efforts and infection patterns mismatched 5/09 3 Clash over gays 2/10 4 Open Society Hosts Meeting Of LGBT Activists From So. Africa 8/11 March 10, 2009 – Behind The Mask 1 Secret lives of lesotho gays and lesbians by Lesego Tlhwale (BTM intern)… Read more »

Book review: Kendall, K. (1997) “Looking for Lesbians in Lesotho” Scottsville: University of Natal Drama Department

…The women in northern Mozambique and Lesotho are examples of same-sex relationships and sexualities located outside of the “heterosexual norms in Africa.” These relationships were socially and culturally accepted in Mozambique, and were celebrated by women and their husbands in the Lesotho context, maybe because they existed alongside women’s heterosexual relationships and were not disruptive… Read more »