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LeGaBiBo (Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana) is the first LGBTI (Lesbians,Gays, Bisexuals, Transgendered
and Intersexed) organization in Botswana. It was founded by Ditshwanelo, the Center for Human Rights in 1998 as a project.
However due to lack of resources the project could not be implemented and was therefore inactive until it resurfaced under
BONELA Botswana Network on Ethics, Laws and HIV/AIDS). There has been attempts to register the constitution with the
Registrar of Societies, Ministry of Labour and Home affairs but to no avail. The main objection by the registrar officials is that
there see registering such an organisation as an act of aiding and abetting the commission of an illegal act as defined under the section
164 Penal Code.

BONELA is a non-governmental organization (NGO) formally established in 2001 to support human rights initiatives in the
area if HIV/AIDS and to facilitate mainstreaming of network of concerned organization and individuals committed to
protecting and promoting the rights of all people affected by HIV/AIDS.

Being homosexual in Botswana, as in many African countries, is not EASY! Homosexuality is regarded as abominable and
sinful, it's perceived as a crime and homosexual sex is punishable with a possible jail sentence if convicted.
Section 164 Penal Code defines it as "carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature..., carnal knowledge
of animal or permits carnal knowledge of him/her against the order of nature..."

The fact homosexual sex is criminal renders LGBTI people of Botswana a very vulnerable group, frequently exposed to
discrimination, aggression and abuse by the comminuty and sometimes even by their own familes.

The National Vision 2016 proposes to create a democratic society that recognizes, respects, protects and fulfills the rights
of LGBTI community in Botswana.

LeGaBiBo's mission;
To build an independent non-partisan organisation that promotes the recognition, acceptance and equal protection of all
human rights of the LGBTI community in Botswana.

LeGaBiBo's objectives, as an LGBTI organization, are:

to promote a non-discriminatory legal framework for LGBTI community
to create a community that is educated and sensitized on LGBTI issues
to recognize same-sex relationships for the purpose of:

accessing social benefits

same-sex marriage and its benefits

children adoption

to create a safe space where the LGBTI community can interact
to empower the LGBTI community so as to advocate for their rights
to promote sexual health amongst the LGBTIs

We hope to create an international network LGBTI organizations to be able to work together and gradually overcome
the many obstacles homosexuals still encounter on a daily basis in their lives. We all know how difficult it is to be openly gay
in our societies and how homosexuality is perceived as an imported "unafrican" mental illness!
WE EXIST!! WE ARE AFRICAN and we want our voice to be heard! We need to support each other and work together
with the same objective: make this continent a safe place for LGBTI people
to live their lives and enjoy their natural human rights.