Expressing LGBTQ+ sexuality as a child equated to life in purgatory: negativity, resistance and negotiation in Zimbabwe

LGBTQ+ adolescents in Zimbabwe face significant societal opposition, yet their lived experiences and coping strategies remain underexplored. This study employed a phenomenological research design to examine the challenges and identity negotiation strategies of 15 LGBTQ+ children in Harare Province. Using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis via MAXQDA, the study uncovered pervasive stigmatization, family rejection, public hostility, and institutional discrimination. Participants reported bullying, sexual violence, and exclusion from social and educational spaces, reinforcing their vulnerability within restrictive societal structures. However, the study also found that LGBTQ+ children actively resist oppression through symbolic identity expression, social media engagement, and gender modification as strategies for self-assertion. The findings highlight the urgent need for inclusive legal protections, LGBTQ+-affirming education policies, and community-based support systems to ensure the well-being of LGBTQ+ adolescents. A key limitation of the study is its focus on adolescent perspectives, without incorporating the views of caregivers, educators, or policymakers. Despite this, the study provides valuable insights into how LGBTQ+ adolescents navigate societal hostility, offering new perspectives for policy development, advocacy, and future research on LGBTQ+ children in restrictive environments.