In honor of the 30th Class of the Human Rights Advocates Program (2018), we are asking our alumni to share their experiences as human rights advocates. Join us as 2016 Advocate Samuel Matsikure of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe takes us through his organization's journey over the past 25 years.
Samuel is the Program Manager for Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ). He has dedicated the past 13 years to working within LGBTI communities in a turbulent environment. He is a past chairman of African Men for Sexual Health and Rights, a regional coalition of 19 organizations working on Health and HIV for MSM. He also served on the Global Forum for MSM for eight years.
GALZ is an organization which strives for the attainment of full and equal human, social and economic rights in all aspects of life for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex (LGBTI) persons. GALZ was one of the first organisations in Zimbabwe to start HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns and, today, it remains unique in that it is the only organisation in the country specifically working with people who engage in same-sex sexual activity.
