Lesotho : Inside Bokang Bane's vision for queer economic freedom

The article profiles Bokang Bane, founder of Queer WorX, and explores a vision for advancing economic inclusion for LGBTIQ+ people in Lesotho. It situates queer economic justice within broader national challenges such as unemployment, poverty and youth marginalisation, arguing that exclusion limits both individual dignity and national development.

Through a question-and-answer format, Bane explains why Queer WorX focuses on livelihoods, entrepreneurship and financial empowerment alongside rights advocacy. The article highlights structural barriers including discrimination, lack of inclusive data, and the absence of legal gender recognition, and outlines initiatives such as Queer Econ and the planned Phutheho economic forum.

The story matters because it links human rights to economic participation, emphasising that recognising queer people as part of Lesotho’s human capital can strengthen social cohesion and economic growth.

LINK TO PUBLISHED STORY

https://newsdayonline.co.ls/inside-bokang-banes-vision-for-queer-economic-freedom/

This article, first published by MISALesotho, is part of the  Media Parity Capacity Building and republished as part of the programme series.