Access to condoms and lubricants The Centre provides condoms and lubricants at no cost to people in need of the service. However, due to the raids, research participants (42%) noted that an important service that members risk losing by not coming to the Centre was access to condoms and lubricants, which allow them to have safe sex. Although condoms are provided at no fee or a small fee by other HIV organisations in Zimbabwe, the water based lubricants are not easily available and come at a relatively high cost in the pharmacies. Some individuals may also not feel comfortable with buying the lubricants as they may fear that people will suspect that they are homosexual. “For most people, the Centre is perceived as not safe, because they are still fearful. Because of that they stand to lose out. I think that GALZ is the only place where the LGBTI community can have access to information relating to them, as well as access to condoms and lubricants. Most people may not be comfortable with buying condoms or KY gel (lubricant), so they rely on the Centre. Their not feeling comfortable with coming to GALZ therefore deprives them access to critical services, which then puts them in a position of vulnerability and risk of STIs.” – Transgender Member. Another participant in an FGD emphasised the importance of the HIV and AIDS discussions conducted at GALZ, that those not attending were being deprived of: “Last week we had a good discussion on STIs, which is 34 An Assessment of the impact of state sanctioned and unsanctioned raids on GALZ premises and gatherings