LGBTIQ rights and inclusion in development: The final frontier in human rights? A qualitative case study of the LGBTIQ community in Tanzania

Sammanfattning: The human rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) population is repeatedly violated in countries around the world. Discrimination, violence, and state-led persecution towards the LGBTIQ population takes a negative toll on development and will ultimately affect the outcome of SDG 10, reduced inequalities. In an African context, the needs of the LGBTIQ population often go unnoticed when not formally addressed and a lack of inclusion along with a discriminatory legal framework puts the LGBTIQ population at an increased risk of being left behind in the quest to achieve Agenda 2030.  Tanzania holds some of the highest punishments in the world for same-sex acts, with up to life imprisonment. This study is focused on challenges faced by the Tanzanian LGBTIQ group, perceived social inclusion, the current development of LGBTIQ rights, factors that affect this development, and how LGBTIQ rights can be improved. Through an abductive case study, this thesis draws on eighteen semi-structured interviews as its primary sources. It also employs current literature as secondary sources. To analyse the data Queer theory and a rights-based approach are employed to uncover structures that affect LGBTIQ inclusion. Findings suggest that LGBTIQ individuals are under immense societal pressure to conform to heteronormative gender roles to avoid discrimination. Further, LGBTIQ rights are found to be affected by political, cultural, religious, and generational factors. Findings also suggest that local context is important to consider in the process of making norms more favorable for LGBTIQ equality and inclusion. This thesis also highlights areas of improvement for LGBTIQ inclusion and equality in form of eradicating discriminatory laws, in line with SDG 10. As well as capacitating institutions to queer practices with a synergy of a bottom-up and top-down approach.