Zimbabwean refugee marks first Pride in Toronto
CBC News
Posted: Jun 22, 2012 9:13 AM ET
Last Updated: Jun 22, 2012 1:49 PM ET
A gay Zimbabwean refugee who fled persecution in his homeland is celebrating his first Pride Festival in Toronto.
Dalu Buhle Ndlovu arrived in Canada just under a year ago.
In an interview with CBC's Metro Morning on Friday, the kickoff of Toronto's Pride Week, Ndlovu said his move to the city came after members of his family caught him with his partner in Zimbabwe, beat him up and reported him to police.
Homosexuality is illegal and President Robert Mugabe has characterized gay people as "being worse than dogs and pigs."
Ndlovu managed to evade police and was smuggled into South Africa, later making it into Canada, where he successfully applied for refugee status. He found life in a new country disorienting at first.
"It was a bit of a transition coming from a place where I was running away to a place where I am safe. However, over time I have managed to freely celebrate who I am," he said.
"I feel very proud. I feel like I am me. I don't have to fear anything anymore."
And as for celebrating Pride in Toronto, Ndlovu said he "can't wait."
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