Botswana - GlobalGayz

Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966. The economy, closely tied to South Africa’s, and one of the most successful in Africa, is dominated by the fast-growing service sector, world-renowned mining (especially diamonds) industry, tourism, and manufacturing. Homosexual behavior is considered an “unnatural tendency” and can be punished with up to seven years of imprisonment. Acts of gross indecency are also punishable according to the law. Although homosexual acts are illegal (prosecution of such acts is rare) just being a homosexual is not illegal.

On February 25, 2011 an historic event happened when the Botswana Human Rights organization (BONELA) and the Botswana LGBT organization (LeGaBiBo) filed a law suit in High Court against the government claiming the law criminalizing homosexual behavior is unconstitutional. The case will be heard in 2019.

Name: Botswana

Population: 2000000

Capital: Gaborone - Pop. 185000

Area: 581730 sq. km/ sq. miles

Language: English, Setswana

Religion: Indigenous beliefs, Christian

Status of Homosexuality: Illegal

Telephone Country Code: 267

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Progress for gay rights in Africa still isn’t inevitable, 2019/Aug/10

Botswana celebrates historic decriminalisation of gay sex, 2019/Jun/11

Botswana’s High Court postpones decision in gay sex case, 2019/Mar/15

Botswana is set to decriminalize homosexuality, here’s everything you need to know, 2019/Mar/11

Botswana president speaks up for LGBTI rights, 2019/Jan/23

Gays, Lesbians look up to Masisi, 2018/Dec/07

Botswana High Court sets new date to consider decriminalising homosexuality, 2018/Dec/06

Canaries in the coal mines, 2018/Jun/14

Transgender man wins landmark 10-year-long legal battle for recognition from Botswana, 2017/Oct/05

African states bid to stop work of U.N. gay rights investigator, 2016/Nov/04

Botswana deports American anti-gay pastor after radio hate speech, 2016/Sep/20

The War on Homosexuality: A look to Botswana, 2016/Feb/04

Gay men reluctant to come out of the closet, 2015/Mar/23

Botswana gay rights group wins right to exist after court battle, 2014/Nov/14

LGBTI Organizations, 2014/Nov/14

Proud Healthy, 2014/Jul/28

LeGaBiBo raises awareness about homosexuality in Botswana, 2014/Mar/31

Growing Up Gay In Botswana, 2014/Mar/06

Africa: Few Programmes Target Gay Men, Other MSM and Transgendered in Southern Africa, Study Says, 2013/Jun/04

Botswana LGBTQ’s first film festival: Batho Ba Lorato, 2013/Feb/18

LGBTI rights within the Universal Periodic Review: Botswana, 2013/Feb/11

The Bite Behind The Bark Of Homophobia, 2012/Nov/14

Cyber hackers attack websites of Africa anti-gay countries, 2012/Aug/16

Rainbow Icentity Association In Presentation To University Students, 2012/Mar/15

Catching Up With Botswana’s Swedish Trained Activists, 2012/Feb/24

Domestic Violance Issues And Botswana’s LGBTI Community, 2012/Feb/22

Domestic Violence Issues And Botswana’s LGBTI Community, 2012/Feb/21

Homophobia hurting anti-AIDS campaigns in Africa, 2011/Dec/29

Botswana LGBTI Mark Human Rights Day With Calls For An End To Discrimination, 2011/Dec/12

Bonela reiterates call for legalising sex work, 2011/Dec/05

Botswana President Warns Not Everyone Can Get Free ARVS, 2011/Dec/02

Health System Struggling Too Deal With Gender Identity Confusion Patients, 2011/Nov/23

Gay Botswana News & Reports 2011, 2011/Feb/08

Gay Botswana News & Reports 2004-10, 2009/Jan/01