Societal discrimination

Similarly to other Southern African countries, reports of discrimination, family rejection, violence and harassment against LGBT people are not uncommon.^[11]

LGBT Basotho may face discrimination in employment, access to health care, housing, access to education, and in other areas. As such, many LGBT people live secret lives and hide their sexual orientation. Additionally, they are at serious risk from HIV/AIDS infections (Lesotho has the second highest prevalence of HIV in the world, with reportedly 25% of the Basotho population being infected). LGBT activists have begun reaching out to HIV-positive people, and offering prevention strategies.^[12]

Activism

On 18 May 2013, the first gay pride march took place in the country. It was held in the city centre of Maseru and was organised by the Matrix Support Group.^[3][4] According to the organisers, the event was very successful, with the authorities being supportive and providing an escort for the participants.^[13]

The Matrix Support Group is an LGBT NGO. It strives "to build an environment where LGBT people can freely express their human rights, and contribute to the social, political and economical development of Lesotho".^[14] It was established in 2009 and fully registered with the authorities the following year.

Pride marches and events have been held annually since then, attracting a few hundred people.^[11]

2016 United States Department of State report

The U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016 stated that:^[15]

Acts of Violence, Discrimination, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

The law prohibited consensual sexual relations between men, but authorities did not enforce it. The law is silent on consensual sex between women. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons faced societal discrimination and official insensitivity to this discrimination. LGBTI rights groups complained of discrimination in access to health care and participation in religious activities.

The law prohibits discrimination attributable to sex; it does not explicitly forbid discrimination against LGBTI. Matrix, an LGBTI advocacy and support group, had no reports of employment discrimination from its members. Same-sex sexual relationships were taboo in society and not openly discussed. While there were no assaults reported, LGBTI persons often did not report incidents of violence due to fear of stigma.

Matrix operated freely and had members in all 10 districts. It reported having a good working relationship with the LMPS. For instance, in December 2015 the brothers of a woman who identified herself as a lesbian forced her out of her home when they discovered her sexual identity. She took the matter to police, who intervened, and the brothers allowed her to return home.

Matrix engaged in public outreach through film screenings, radio programs, public gatherings, and social media. On 21 May, Matrix organized the third International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia march. Approximately 200 individuals, mainly family and friends of LGBTI persons, marched peacefully and without incident from Lakeside (city outskirts) to Central Park in Maseru. Matrix representatives noted police officers escorting the march were generally supportive, which they attributed to Matrix's previous outreach efforts to the LMPS. Matrix for several months also had an electronic billboard advertisement in central Maseru supporting LGBTI rights.

Addressing the media in June following the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS, Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing said the government would look into decriminalizing same-sex relationships to stop the spread of HIV. This was the first pronouncement made by a high-level government official on the issue. However, an opposition movement led by vigilante Gomery Thompson responded with a series of violent riots.