I think we are even over the propaganda that homosexuality in Botswana is not legal. The laws of a country are only a reflection of that country’s society. And as a country who’s highest Court has said, “members of the gay, lesbian and transgender community, though no doubt a small minority and unacceptable to some on religious or other grounds, form part of the rich diversity of any nation and are fully entitled in Botswana, as in any other progressive state, to the constitutional protection of dignity,” I think we understand that in Botswana, whether people like it or not, everyone can choose who they love.
Botswana is a special country because we are either very progressive or extremely fatalistic, even though we can be rather violent. As a result, judgements made in our country have set the tone in various other countries in the region, particularly those pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity as well as expression. Of course we also know that there is health programming through engagement with various government departments, aimed specifically at the marginalised communities. These are efforts that we celebrate, and continue to thoroughly commend.
