Photo Journal Monday: Hayden Phipps

Tiwonge Chimbalanga and her husdband on their wedding day. © Hayden Phipps

Photo and Text by Hayden Phipps

In many African countries LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and/or intersex) people are persecuted because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Homosexuality is illegal in 38 of the 54 African countries and 4 countries enforce the death penalty for persons who identify as homosexual or transgender. African LGBTI people, in extreme danger in their home country, flee to South Africa to find refuge as their constitution is the most progressive in the region. However, the lived reality after arrival is far from desirable.

Tiwonge in her bedroom. © Hayden Phipps

Tiwonge is a LGBTI refugee from Malawi now living in Mannenberg just outside Cape Town. She was imprisoned in Malawi for being gay/transgender. PASSOP (People Against Suffering Oppression and Poverty) has been aiding her with her refugee status and integration into South Africa. PASSOP is a community-based, non-profit organization and grassroots movement that works to protect and promote the rights of all refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants in South Africa working very closely with LGBTI refugees.

Tiwonge's make-up compact pallet. © Hayden Phipps

Tiwonge, like most LGBTI refugees in South Africa, are often doubly marginalized as they are not accepted into their own refugee communities because of their sexual orientation/gender identity nor are they accepted into LGBTI communities because they are foreigners. They encounter homophobia, xenophobia, violence, discrimination and abuse by the general population, their own refugee communities as well as the police and government officials.

Tiwonge outside her house. © Hayden Phipps

They struggle to find employment due to lack of proper documentation, which is often denied to them based on their sexual orientation/gender identity, or they are fired once their sexuality, or in some cases HIV status, is revealed. Many are kicked out of shelters, rejected from housing and denied medical services all because of homophobia.

Tiwonge's Husband. © Hayden Phipps

Tiwonge has had four violent homophobic attacks since fleeing to South Africa. She is currently unemployed, helping out at the PASSOP office. She lives in an informal housing area with her husband from Malawi. She is photographed here with her husband at their home and at the PASSOP office in the city of Cape Town.

Tiwonge. © Hayden Phipps

Check out more of Hayden’s work on his website