Botswana: Exploring the Ooerlapping realities of LGBTIQ+ persons with disabilities in Botswana
LGBTIQ+ persons with disabilities in Botswana face layered forms of marginalisation, shaped by both their sexual orientation or gender identity and their disability. This story was produced as a television feature under the Marang LGBTIQ Southern Africa Fund, with the purpose of bringing visibility to a community often omitted from public discourse.
The feature explored the intersection of disability and LGBTIQ+ identity, highlighting that these individuals are often invisible in national conversations, policies, and even within advocacy spaces. Families, communities, and service providers frequently overlook the realities of this group, resulting in exclusion from social support systems, healthcare access, and safe spaces.
Through first-hand interviews, the reporting centred dignity and agency, using a trauma‑informed approach that allowed participants to share their experiences in their own words. The story avoided sensationalism and ensured informed consent, particularly considering the risks associated with public disclosure of LGBTIQ+ identity.
The broadcast generated significant engagement, with 2.9K views on the YTV Botswana Facebook page and widespread discussion in online and community spaces. Many viewers encountered the intersection of LGBTIQ+ identity and disability for the first time. Messages of support and validation from LGBTIQ+ persons with disabilities and their allies demonstrated the story’s impact in shifting perspectives, increasing visibility, and building a sense of collective recognition.
The feature contributed to an evolving national dialogue that now increasingly acknowledges intersectional experiences within LGBTIQ+ and disability rights frameworks. By challenging separation between these issues, the story encouraged policymakers, civil society, and service providers to rethink how services and protections can be more inclusive.
The visibility generated is expected to continue shaping advocacy, as civil society groups use the story to strengthen training, policy discussions, and public education. Follow‑up reporting is planned to monitor shifts in inclusivity within institutions and to further elevate the voices of LGBTIQ+ persons with disabilities.
Overall, the work underscores the essential role of intersectional storytelling in driving gender justice, promoting respect, and ensuring that no identity is left behind.