Purple Royale

Being born Trans and living with disability is not easy. Worse when you receive limited support for education, essentials and the love of a family. However, all this did not stop Donnaey from going after his dreams. With remarkable tenacity, this hustler in the streets of Harare, Zimbabwe continues to defy the odds. Showing that disability nor your gender identity can never pull you down. Supported by FRIDA FUND, PEPFAR ZIMBABWE and THE OTHER FOUNDATION. In celebration of Trans Day of Visibility 31 March 2023.

Trans and Intersex persons continue to be at high risk of HIV and worse AIDS. Stigma, discrimination, conversion therapy as well as reduced livelihoods remain some of the contributing factors. Lack of information on HIV prevention & treatment being another. However, even with the availability of HIV services in local clinics, sensitization of health care providers & policy makers is still much needed. We have to scale up our sensitization efforts and this documented lived reality is an example. Evidence based, first hand from the actual Transperson affected. Scaling up sensitization as well as friendly laws and policies  will create  safe, friendly healthcare facilities as well as an environment that will ultimately encourage uptake of services by the Trans & Intersex community.   The programming for this advocacy initiative was supported by PEPFAR Zimbabwe, The Other Foundation & FRIDA Fund. Much thanks to all stakeholders as well as allies who continue this fight to end AIDS with us. Much thanks to the Ministry of Health in Zimbabwe, National AIDS Council and the Global Fund for recognizing the Transgender & Intersex community as one of the populations needing support in the fight against HIV and AIDS. 

In the fight against HIV and ending AIDS which most trans & intersex persons continue to be at risk, Purple Royale decided to feature a special episode. A motivational poem by one of our own, Ammartia. A powerful orator with the natural gift of composing poems and art that inspires multitudes. Here is one of their finest poems, advocating for Adherence, Treatment and Prevention of HIV, new infections as well as ultimately ending AIDS.    This masterpiece will also be featured in our upcoming documented experience: A lived reality of a transperson who contracted HIV & continues to not only survive but thrive through adherence to treatment. 

In this Episode, we gave Tee. a Gender Non Conforming Trans person the opportunity to own their narrative and share their lived reality. Growing up trans to supportive parents then reality struck upon their passing, discriminated by other relatives and communities in a rural setup with little to no means of assistance, ultimately forced to become homeless and live on the streets of Zvishavane town. This story is indeed emotional but there is a silver lining. Amidst the chaos, Tee managed to find a helper, a supportive friend who came through for Tee, during a life or death situation, also a young person living on the streets.  Much thanks to The Other Foundation, FRIDA Fund & PEPFAR Zimbabwe for supporting the production of this episode. To learn more, visit our social media page on www.instagram.com/purple_royale_podcast. Purple Royale: Trans Voices in Zimbabwe, Amplified! 

What would you do if you were stigmatized and abandoned by the only father figure you knew? Forced fo drop out of school but still managed to do something worthwhile with your life? To a point of becoming the family’s breadwinner? Listen to Tinashe as they narrate their experience as a transperson living in Zimbabwe turning lemons into lemonade amidst the storm of it all. THE PRODUCTION OF THIS EPISODE WAS SUPPORTED BY THE OTHER FOUNDATION, FRIDA FUND & PEPFAR ZIMBABWE.

Listen to Theo, a transwoman from Zimbabwe as she narrates her experience being subjected to conversion therapy in form of physical and sexual assault by her co-workers and roommates. A horrific incident of a survivor. Much thanks to Frida Fund, Pepfar Zimbabwe and The Other Foundation for supporting the production of this episode.

What would you do, if you wanted your body to affirm to your gender? If you wanted to get inclusive healthcare that enables you to fit into society, get security and just feel complete as a person but fail to find nor access such healthcare services in your country? The country you were born and bred in, the country you want to feel like you belong and are included just like any valuable citizen? This is the purpose of this episode. An elaborate discussion among Trans and Intersex communities in Zimbabwe as we discuss our experiences trying to access Gender Affirming Care in Zimbabwe. Much thanks to The Other Foundation for supporting the production of this episode.  Listen in and share.   

Listen in as we take you through Beyoncé Zee Savage's journey. Being a transwoman in Zimbabwe, the stigma and public assault she experienced to ultimately trying to become whole thereby seeking Gender Affirming Healthcare, at a time where it is difficult to access if not non-existent in Zimbabwe. The production of this episode was supported by The Other Foundation. 

What a time to be alive! Celebrating Trans Day of Visibility in Zimbabwe. Indeed we have come a long way and this is us taking you through lived experiences of the Trans community in Zimbabwe. Answering this important question: What does Trans Day of Visibility mean to us , to our families, to our allies, to our country and the International community. Find out this and more, listen in and share. Much thanks to The Other Foundation for supporting the production of this episode.  #TDOV2022

From being disowned by family to trying to fit in where you barely exist, what does it mean when we talk about improved livelihoods for the Trans community in Zimbabwe? Catch us in this dialogue episode, as we discuss all things family, acceptance, livelihoods and even policy change.     

Breakthroughs happen everyday and for the Trans community, we too have our good days. In this Episode, we take you through a journey of self acceptance and inclusion. From finding love, becoming a valued citizen and managing to build a family despite the challenges we have faced as  trans and intersex persons. This is us, celebrating our success stories. Listen to the episode to find out exactly what it means to be Trans or gender diverse and grateful.      

The lived life story of Breeze, a fellow transman who was from Kadoma, Zimbabwe. Touching but thought provoking. Coincidentally on Trans Day of Remembrance 2021. We shall never forget.  Special thanks to everyone who contributed towards the production of this episode. The Other Foundation for funding our production costs, supporting this much needed initiative and Transsmart Trust, Children's Radio Foundation and The Edwick Foundation for supporting our cause.   if you are an NGO, Corporate or Philanthropist interested in supporting this cause, feel free to contact the Purple Royale Podcast on our Instagram page or email our production team at purpleroyalepodcast@gmail.com We would love to hear from you and don't forget to share this episode. You could save a life.              

An International Women's day edition, by Transsmart Trust and Purple Royale Podcast. Discussing diverse women in leadership and what makes us different yet a force to be reckoned with, from growing up in a patriachal society to taking up space claiming our human right to inclusion, this and more is discussed. Unpacked by Gumisayi, Bree, Daniella, Paida and Ruvimbo, 5 dynamic ladies, one heated discussion, let's dive into it, shall we?

What would you do if the police gate crashed your social event, causing havoc, arresting you because of your Gender identity or orientation? This is what happened to Spransa and her friends at an LGBTI party. Listen in & share.

This is a story about Bree, a transwoman who was unlawfully assaulted by an immigration officer at Harare International Airport. All because of her gender identity and the need for legal gender recognition in Zimbabwe. The story unpacks the importance of acknowledging human rights for all as per the United Nations Agenda 2030, leaving no one behind. An agenda which Zimbabwe, one of the member states in the UN also agreed to uphold. #TransRightsAreHumanRights

Meet Mabholo, a transman from Kadoma, Zimbabwe as he narrates his unforgettable experience in prison. The hate crime, the stigma, thw bullying but amidst all of that finding someone who accepted and loved him as he is.

Meet Paris, a Transwoman  from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe as she narrates a horrific incident where she was assaulted on her birthday and abandoned at a graveyard. Luckily she lived to tell the tale.   

Meet Ras, #RasThatGuy as he narrates an unforgettable experience seeking a healthcare treatment in Zimbabwe as a transman. 

This commentary is from Bree, a business woman from Harare, Zimbabwe as she narrates her experience during the corona virus pandemic as a transwoman. Particularly how the lockdown is affecting healthcare, the economy and normal life.

Listen to Mabholo, a transman from Kadoma, Zimbabwe narrating his experience in the era of Covid19. Hupenyu uhwuinguva yeCovid19 (Life in the era of Covid19)  Being a man proud of his african roots, this narration is in the Zimbabwean vernacular language , shona. Feel the emotion and listen to first hand experience living in Rural Zimbabwe during this corona virus global pandemic.

A commentary from Ethey, a transwoman from Masvingo, Zimbabwe. Narrating her experience during the Covid19 experience, her worries and hopes for the future.

Lets talk about love, dating and heartbreaks as a transperson or ally in Zimbabwe. Quite an interesting topic.

Welcome to our first ever episode on the Purple Royale Podcast, a podcast that addresses issues and stories affecting Transgender lives in Zimbabwe. In this episode we are going back to the basics: 1. What does it mean to be transgender 2. Why is it important to learn more about transgender lives in your community. 3. What issues do transgender lives experience 4. How do you understand a transgender person better as a family member, an academic, a health specialist, a policy maker, an employer, employee or business partner and last but not least ,any member of the community In this episode we have : -  An interview with two transgender persons, a transman and a transwoman. - Audio diaries of transgender persons in Zimbabwe sharing their life experiences and heartfelt stories - A dialogue among a transwoman, transman, a parent, health care specialist and an ally of the trans community in Zimbabwe. Definitely worth listening to!