As the story notes, the laws criminalizing homosexuality do not address relationships between women. Zimbabwe's penal code is based on that of its former colonizer, Britain, which also addressed only male relations when drafting its anti-Gay laws. But while Lesbians do not face a legal threat, they seem to bear the brunt of the most horrifyingly violent anti-Gay sentiments. Perhaps the more troubling part about the Herald news item is that GALZ has never heard from or of the women in it. One of the organization's goals is to serve as a place where Gay people can come for help with problems.
Young men having trouble regularly approach the organization.
But Goddard says the group has been unable to attract women. Of 319 official members today, only 31, or roughly 10 percent, are women. In larger society, Lesbian invisibility becomes even more profound. While Gay men have nudged a handful of cafes, bars, and clubs into begrudgingly accepting them as regular patrons, there is no public space whatsoever for Lesbians. She recalls her coming out process, four years ago, with frustration.