Transgender Activist Wins Landmark Case in Zimbabwe

A court in Zimbabwe has awarded a transgender activist $25,000 in compensation after police arrested her for using a female bathroom and wearing women’s clothes in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second city.

Ricky Nathanson hailed the landmark ruling, saying she hopes it “will send a strong message that we are all human and that our diversity should be celebrated”.

She and her lawyers released a joint statement explaining “The High Court awarded Ms Nathanson damages for unlawful arrest, malicious prosecution and emotional distress”.

They further said that in January 2014 she was arrested by six police officers, when she was “forced to undergo invasive and humiliating medical/physical examination and asked to remove her clothes in front of five male officers in order to “verify her gender””.

Ms Nathanson founded Trans Research, Education, Advocacy and Training (TREAT), an initiative that seeks to address and enhance transgender rights in Zimbabwe.

She was granted asylum in the US in late 2018 after travelling there for a conference and has since been living in the state of Maryland.

Since suing the police, she has claimed to have been subjected to routine abuse and harassment, including men breaking into her house and beating her up.

Upon hearing the verdict, Ms Nathanson said “This has been a long, emotional rollercoaster for me.  I have waited for almost 5 years for this moment.  I am elated.

“This is an incredibly life-changing decision.  It is a great moment for Zimbabwe.  It affirms and recognises the fundamental human rights, freedoms and dignity of all citizens”.

Critical of the Zimbabwean government, the activist had previously said “If you don’t like trans people using bathrooms, well, just look away like you do with corruption, war, poverty, environmental destruction and homelessness!”