Lusaka - Post Report Question and Answers
Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Homosexuality is still illegal here, and I do not think that same sex spouses can easily be brought, but I could be wrong. - Mar 2022
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Zambia, and LGBT people are very underground. The new presidential administration seems more tolerable than the prior one (which actually formed "NGOs" to witch-hunt and prosecute/harass LGBT people) but people are still very cautious. The average Zambian is anti-LGBT. - Dec 2021
Nope. Homosexuality is illegal here. I don't think there have been any instances of Zambia prosecuting foreigners on this, but it's certainly not a welcoming culture for gays. Coming here for a vacation you'd have no problems but long-term it would be very challenging. - Feb 2018
Probably not best for LGBT--still a lot of stigma and belief in witchcraft, religious beliefs against LGBT lifestyle. - Nov 2017
Absolutely not. Consensual same sex sexual activity is illegal in Zambia and non-cis/heteronormative gender identity or sexual orientation are highly stigmatized, sometimes violently so. While LGBTI Americans - including some families - have served here, they have to be discreet.There are local LGBTI support groups, but they keep a very low profile. - Jan 2017
Homosexuality is illegal in Zambia, but the folks I know of who are posted here do not seem to have a problem. - Jun 2016
No. Zambians tend to be very homophobic and will openly express their prejudice without a second thought. People suspected of homosexual acts continue to be jailed and put on trial. This would be a very difficult place to be "out." - May 2016
Not at all. - Aug 2014
NOOOOOOO....It is against the law to be in a gay or lesbian relationship. There have been a number of arrests in the past 12 months. The government has left one couple who were accused of being gay in jail for months now. - Jan 2014
No, I don't think Lusaka is a good city for gay or lesbian expats. Homosexuality is decidedly frowned upon, seemingly universally and nastily. Perhaps there is a quiet but flourishing gay/lesbian community, but if so it may be difficult to find, and it may not be enough to counter the negativity. - Apr 2013
I get mixed signals. This part of Africa is in the midst of an anti-homosexual agenda, with Malawi actually jailing a male couple, and our local politicians are speaking out against it fairly routinely. That said, there are several "known" couples in the expat community who seem happy, and my gay single friends seem to be enjoying the stay. It's definately on the down-low, though, not an open culture for being gay. - Jul 2010
Yes, though night life is limited. - Mar 2009
Don't know. - May 2008
