Gay Rights Activist Gets Courage Award as Mugabe Scorns LGBTsPresident Robert Mugabe in his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) spoke off the cuff and castigated Western nations for pushing for gay rights that are not in line with the country’s beliefs and culture. Ironically, gay activist Chesterfield Samba, who heads the Gays and Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe, received a celebration of courage award from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission on the sidelines of the UNGA meeting. Samba was honoured for the work he is doing in fighting for gay rights in Zimbabwe. In a statement issued by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, which marked its 25th anniversary year this year, the organisation said, "This anniversary year we will honour Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe, another stalwart in the LGBTQ community, also founded 25 years ago. Despite having their offices raided and members arrested, GALZ never shrinks from the fight for dignity." The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, fights to protect and advance the dignity and human rights of LGBTQ people around the world. Samba, who is in New York and attended some of the United Nations General Assembly programmes, said he felt honoured to receive the award. He will travel to Washington for some meetings Wednesday before returning home.