Purple Royale

Gender Based Violence comes in many forms. Sometimes from our partners & at times from stakeholders in the community. Here is a lived reality of a Transman from Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe. Narrating his experience getting blackmails and threats from a local journalist because of his gender identity and expression.

This episode is in support of ending Gender Based Violence expressed in all forms especially towards marginalized communities. An initiative also supported by Love Alliance under ARASA. Purple Royale is contributing in advocacy as a member of the ACCEPT Consortium in Zimbabwe.

After enduring decades of stigma and abuse from her father, Austin, a transwoman from the ghetto streets in Harare tells a compelling experience of how a near death experience forced her to leave home in search for a safer environment. This episode is in honor of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia and Intersexphobia IDAHOBIT commemorated on May 17.

Thank you to FRIDA Fund ,PEPFAR Zimbabwe, The Other Foundation, Transsmart Trust and The Edwick Foundation for the continued support in documenting this lived reality.

Trans and Intersex persons continue to be at high risk of HIV and worse AIDS. Stigma, discrimination, conversion therapy as well as reduced livelihoods remain some of the contributing factors. Lack of information on HIV prevention & treatment being another. However, even with the availability of HIV services in local clinics, sensitization of health care providers & policy makers is still much needed. We have to scale up our sensitization efforts and this documented lived reality is an example. Evidence based, first hand from the actual Transperson affected. Scaling up sensitization as well as friendly laws and policies  will create  safe, friendly healthcare facilities as well as an environment that will ultimately encourage uptake of services by the Trans & Intersex community.  

The programming for this advocacy initiative was supported by PEPFAR Zimbabwe, The Other Foundation & FRIDA Fund. Much thanks to all stakeholders as well as allies who continue this fight to end AIDS with us. Much thanks to the Ministry of Health in Zimbabwe, National AIDS Council and the Global Fund for recognizing the Transgender & Intersex community as one of the populations needing support in the fight against HIV and AIDS. 

In the fight against HIV and ending AIDS which most trans & intersex persons continue to be at risk, Purple Royale decided to feature a special episode. A motivational poem by one of our own, Ammartia. A powerful orator with the natural gift of composing poems and art that inspires multitudes. Here is one of their finest poems, advocating for Adherence, Treatment and Prevention of HIV, new infections as well as ultimately ending AIDS.   

This masterpiece will also be featured in our upcoming documented experience: A lived reality of a transperson who contracted HIV & continues to not only survive but thrive through adherence to treatment. 

In this Episode, we gave Tee. a Gender Non Conforming Trans person the opportunity to own their narrative and share their lived reality. Growing up trans to supportive parents then reality struck upon their passing, discriminated by other relatives and communities in a rural setup with little to no means of assistance, ultimately forced to become homeless and live on the streets of Zvishavane town. This story is indeed emotional but there is a silver lining. Amidst the chaos, Tee managed to find a helper, a supportive friend who came through for Tee, during a life or death situation, also a young person living on the streets. 

Much thanks to The Other Foundation, FRIDA Fund & PEPFAR Zimbabwe for supporting the production of this episode. To learn more, visit our social media page on www.instagram.com/purple_royale_podcast.

Purple Royale: Trans Voices in Zimbabwe, Amplified! 

What would you do, if you wanted your body to affirm to your gender? If you wanted to get inclusive healthcare that enables you to fit into society, get security and just feel complete as a person but fail to find nor access such healthcare services in your country? The country you were born and bred in, the country you want to feel like you belong and are included just like any valuable citizen? This is the purpose of this episode. An elaborate discussion among Trans and Intersex communities in Zimbabwe as we discuss our experiences trying to access Gender Affirming Care in Zimbabwe. Much thanks to The Other Foundation for supporting the production of this episode. 

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