Out of the closet, out of care: LGBTQ communities in Malawi struggle to access health care

By Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman

In Lilongwe, Malawi, 24-year-old Cleo Jones recalls feeling more comfortable around girls than boys during childhood.

Jones came out as queer and nonbinary at the age of 15, a decision that was met with harsh rejection by their father and attacks and stigma from society, causing them to fall into periods of  depression.

Since then, Jones has found a passion for helping others through community organizing. But one of their hardest challenges is a lack of access to health care.

“When you go to the hospital, especially for LGBTQ people, the discrimination starts from the gate,” they said.

Jones is among 3.5% of Malawi’s nearly 21 million people who identify as LGBTQ and who often face discrimination, even though the country’s constitution guarantees the right to health for all citizens regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Jones says they once visited a clinic in Lilongwe with a friend for an HIV test, but instead of medical care, they faced religious rhetoric and heckling.

“They wanted us to repent and say we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and personal savior.  And because we said no, they never offered the services,” Jones said.

They left the clinic feeling bullied and dehumanized, even traumatized.

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