Sexual Minorities in Zambia

Sexual activity, relationships and identities in any society are often dependent on the social context in which they occur. In the case of Zambia, The Penal Code, Chapter 87, sections 155 to 158 refers to sexual acts of a homosexual nature as a “felony” carrying a prison term of 15 years. Persons seen to aid such persons or acts may also face prison terms. Such laws contribute to the use of the term “men who have sex with men” by men who fear being labelled as homosexual or bisexual. Zambian society is further argued to be a heterosexual society consistent with its religious beliefs and values of being a Christian nation. Leviticus 18: verse 22, "'Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.” To support talk of sexual groupings outside the Christian norms of a heterosexual society may bring their national identity and values into question. Many African societies, Zambia inclusive, have thus developed some form of sexual sigma opposed to acts of homosexuality which they have classified as unnatural and a sin. Sexual health implications arise for this group of sexual minorities and wider Zambian society. To effectively achieve the 90-90-90 goals set out the UNAIDS all persons should be sensitized comprehensively about HIV prevention, contraction, transmission and treatment but in the case of Zambia, current laws, religious and societal attitude restrict the acknowledgement of non-heterosexual grouping much less concern for possible sexual contraction and transmission of HIV through bisexual sexual relations.