Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MASERU445
2009-12-28 14:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:
LESOTHO: HOMOSEXUALITY NOT LEGISLATED, BUT CULTURAL TABOOS
how-toVZCZCXRO6435 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN DE RUEHMR #0445 3621434 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 281434Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY MASERU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4525 INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 4960
UNCLAS MASERU 000445
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/S, AND AF/RSA:MAZEL, GRIESMER, DEES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: HOMOSEXUALITY NOT LEGISLATED, BUT CULTURAL TABOOS
REMAIN
REF: STATE 130765
UNCLAS MASERU 000445
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/S, AND AF/RSA:MAZEL, GRIESMER, DEES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: HOMOSEXUALITY NOT LEGISLATED, BUT CULTURAL TABOOS
REMAIN
REF: STATE 130765
1. Lesotho has no anti-gay specific laws on the books, nor is
there any movement at the moment to introduce a bill in
parliament that would make homosexuality illegal. There is a law
against sodomy, but all cases so far have involved adults
abusing children. There is no evidence that this law is
currently being used in any way to target homosexuals.
2. General discrimination against homosexuals is not overtly
present in the country. At the same time, homosexuality is taboo
in Lesotho society. It is simply not talked about. There have
been no reported cases of violence against homosexuals this
year, nor any reports of active discrimination. Lesotho's small
homosexual community has remained outside of the public eye and
post contacts indicate that most of its members are not
interested in any public advocacy at the moment.
3. The United Nations Development Programme is currently funding
"Matrix," a support network for men having sex with men, women
having sex with women, and transsexuals. The group is not
identified as "for gays, lesbians, etc." because that is not how
the members themselves identify one another. There has been
difficulty getting this support network registered, and there is
speculation that the reason for the delay is the sodomy law.
UNDP contacts speculate that the government may be hesitant to
register the group, because there might seem to be a
contradiction between validating this group and the existing
sodomy law.
4. The Matrix group will work on clarifying issues like the
sodomy law. They will also serve as a lobbying group if new laws
are drafted which would discriminate against the homosexual
community. Finally, they will work in the area of HIV and AIDS.
The homosexual community in Lesotho has very little in the way
of AIDS programming on issues like prevention and counseling,
and the Matrix group would fill that gap.
POWER
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/S, AND AF/RSA:MAZEL, GRIESMER, DEES
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: HOMOSEXUALITY NOT LEGISLATED, BUT CULTURAL TABOOS
REMAIN
REF: STATE 130765
1. Lesotho has no anti-gay specific laws on the books, nor is
there any movement at the moment to introduce a bill in
parliament that would make homosexuality illegal. There is a law
against sodomy, but all cases so far have involved adults
abusing children. There is no evidence that this law is
currently being used in any way to target homosexuals.
2. General discrimination against homosexuals is not overtly
present in the country. At the same time, homosexuality is taboo
in Lesotho society. It is simply not talked about. There have
been no reported cases of violence against homosexuals this
year, nor any reports of active discrimination. Lesotho's small
homosexual community has remained outside of the public eye and
post contacts indicate that most of its members are not
interested in any public advocacy at the moment.
3. The United Nations Development Programme is currently funding
"Matrix," a support network for men having sex with men, women
having sex with women, and transsexuals. The group is not
identified as "for gays, lesbians, etc." because that is not how
the members themselves identify one another. There has been
difficulty getting this support network registered, and there is
speculation that the reason for the delay is the sodomy law.
UNDP contacts speculate that the government may be hesitant to
register the group, because there might seem to be a
contradiction between validating this group and the existing
sodomy law.
4. The Matrix group will work on clarifying issues like the
sodomy law. They will also serve as a lobbying group if new laws
are drafted which would discriminate against the homosexual
community. Finally, they will work in the area of HIV and AIDS.
The homosexual community in Lesotho has very little in the way
of AIDS programming on issues like prevention and counseling,
and the Matrix group would fill that gap.
POWER