The kind of homophobia that, as recently as 2017, saw the former president describe gay people as, “worse than dogs and pigs.” Remarkable for someone who has grown up around pervasive homophobia. His eyes don’t stop shimmering while he talks. “When I see people like me, I feel very happy,” says Mr Manyati in his musical, soft-spoken voice. While Mr Manyati may look out of place, being at GALZ is the most “comfortable” he has ever felt as a gay man living in Zimbabwe in his 60 years. GALZ is a membership-based association that promotes, represents and protects the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in Zimbabwe.
Mr Manyati is on one of his first visits to the drop-in centre of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) in Mutare, in eastern Zimbabwe.
His elegant poise, greying beard and baby blue shirt place him at least 40 years too old for this scene. Patson Manyati cuts an awkward and lonely figure in a room bustling with young people in their twenties.
