Society and Culture
LGBT people often report being blackmailed, harassed, physically assaulted and even jailed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Beyond the official or unofficial government, the prevailing religious and cultural beliefs tend to look down upon homosexuality and cross-dressing as signs of immorality, sickness or something foreign imported into the nation.
The U.S. Department of State's 2011 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices said,
ome members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community reported societal discrimination and abuse . One local LGBT rights group, the Horizon Community Association (HOCA), opened an office in Kigali in April but was evicted in August after the landlord reported pressure from community members. HOCA leaders and staff reported receiving threats, and several fled the country. There were some violent physical attacks with anti-LGBT overtones. The investigated reports of threats to LGBT activists. On March 22, the government signed a UN Human Rights Council statement on "Ending Acts of Violence and Related Human Rights Violations Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity".
Read more about this topic: LGBT Rights In Rwanda
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