Governed by Africa’s last absolute monarch, Eswatini is an impoverished, land-locked nation of 1.5 million people that borders South Africa and Mozambique. It gained independence from Britain in September 1968 and is among a number of African countries to retain colonial-era laws against gay sex, although it does not enforce them. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association says that LGBT people face pervasive discrimination and violence. Simelane was a driving force of the country’s first pride march two years ago and this year founded LGBT rights group Eswatini Sexual & Gender Minorities. He said he was frequently the target of abuse and lived in fear, but remained hopeful for change and increased rights for LGBT people.

Source: Taipei Times October 27, 2019 16:07 UTC