But in practice many cultures don't necessarily see this as a right.Stigma rooted in cultural beliefs was rife and many of the men we interviewed were too afraid to go to a health clinic., an urban area of least 400,000 inhabitants in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The province is the home of the Zulu monarchy and the majority of Zulu people - the largest ethnic group in South Africa.
Culture is very stigmatising, discriminatory, and depriving. I grew up in a community where people see same-sex relationships as culturally taboo, so tell me, how would you come out in such a community? People create culture; instead of discriminating against same-sex relationships, these same people must accept and embrace them as cultural norms.
At the age of 21 you are celebrated as a man in the Zulu culture ... you are dressed like a Zulu warrior with skin, a spear, and a shield. I was deprived of this because they said I am not a man. ... I became sick because of this and was admitted to the hospital for weeks. I almost lost my life because I was deprived of my rights. I don't care about culture because the culture has let me down as a gay man. Culture does not respect me ...
Due to my outfit I was kept in the queue for a long time, and when I was finally attended to, the nurse asked me if I am male or female. I respectfully answered her, and she called her other colleagues to make fun of me. Collaboration with cultural influencers and community leaders is essential to protect the rights of men who have sex with men while honouring cultural values.