Lesotho: Lesotho's first transgender political candidate sparks hope for inclusive leadership

The story documents the historic political candidacy of Sheriff Mothopeng, the first openly transgender person to contest political office in Lesotho. It explores the systemic exclusion of transgender and broader LGBTIQ communities from leadership and political decision‑making, highlighting the transphobia, threats, sexism and party‑level discrimination that continue to block meaningful participation.

The article illustrates how LGBTIQ people, particularly transgender individuals, remain absent from political spaces. Their exclusion reinforces invisibility, denies them representation and leaves their needs unaddressed in national policies. By profiling a transgender political leader, the feature challenges the narrative that LGBTIQ leadership is unusual or symbolic. Instead, it positions Mothopeng’s candidacy as both legitimate and necessary for democratic inclusion.

Through balanced and ethical reporting, the story uplifts his personal experiences of transphobia within political structures, while emphasising resilience and agency. The coverage deliberately avoids sensationalism and centres the candidate’s own voice. In doing so, it presents a respectful and empowering portrayal of transgender leadership.

The story also highlights the broader impact on queer youth and emerging LGBTIQ leaders who often lack visible role models in politics. The coverage encourages them to imagine themselves in leadership, strengthening pathways toward equal representation.

Following publication, the story contributed to national conversations about LGBTIQ participation in politics. Civil society organisations used the article to advocate for accountability in political parties, particularly around safeguarding and inclusion mechanisms. Increased social media engagement and feedback from LGBTIQ community members reflected growing recognition of the importance of inclusive political leadership.

The visibility created by the story continues to support wider advocacy efforts. Plans for future reporting include tracking political parties’ inclusion policies, monitoring changes in public attitudes and documenting the experiences of future LGBTIQ political candidates.