At the 1995 Zimbabwe International Bookfair the organisation of Gays and Lesbians in Zimbabwe was prevented from taking part. This opened up an unprecedented debate in southern Africa, which is conveyed in this report, together with a survey of African views on homosexuality, a global overview on homosexuality and the law, and an address list of human rights organizations and organi-zations working for gay and lesbian rights. A first-hand report and analysis of the new book fair drama in Harare 1996 is included in the new edition.