Disclosure, outing and family reactions : experiences of gender and sexuality diverse individuals in Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Extensive research on the process of ‘coming out’ underscores the significance of disclosing one’s sexual orientation and gender identity for personal development and self-expression. However, sharing this information with family members can be difficult, particularly in Zimbabwe where broader social and cultural forces pose significant challenges to ‘coming out’, and gender and/or sexuality diversity is strongly reacted against. This paper explores the experiences of gender and sexuality diverse persons in Harare as they came out to their families, or were ‘outed’ by others. The study involved semi-structured interviews, informal conversations, and focus group discussions with 31 gender and sexuality diverse individuals aged between 18-31 years. The participants revealed the different ways in which their families became aware of their sexual orientation. These pathways included planned disclosure, outing through extortion, blackmail, and other incidents. The narratives shared by participants varied significantly, encompassing a spectrum from overtly negative or positive responses to more complex reactions from families regarding their child or siblings’ gender and sexuality diversity.