Sandiso Phaliso
AS THE world observed International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia yesterday, lesbians and gay advocacy groups said they felt the government has done little to educate communities about discrimination.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development commemorated the day, and drew attention to the alarming violation of rights perpetrated against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people and those who do not conform to majority of gender norms.
Ndumi Fundi, the director of LulekiSizwe, an organisation advocating for the LGBTI community, said gays and lesbians still faced continued criticism from community members in their areas.
“The stigma against LGBTI people is still there,” she said, adding that blame was not with government alone, but the LGBTI community as well.
“I also blame ourselves for quietness and only speaking out when one of us has been killed.”
Fundi said it is vital that during this commemoration, the world show solidarity by acknowledging the violence and the discrimination still being faced.
She said President Jacob Zuma did not say a word in Parliament yesterday about the commemoration.
LGBTI activist Nigel Patel said the government must do more to stop the bad experiences of LGBTI people burdened with violence.
“In South Africa, there is a wide gap between the laws that are supposed to protect gay and lesbian’s individuals.”
He said despite 22 years since the adoption of the country’s constitution, most gays and lesbians still worry about their safety.
“Religion cannot be allowed to be used to veil homophobia and transphobia,” said Patel.
Nina Morris-Lee, head of Marketing at Anova Health Institute, said it should be recognised that members of the LGBTI community face stigma, discrimination and even violence.
“The stigma associated with being an open LGBTI member of the community is still prevalent in the South Africa context,” she said.
According to Morris-Lee, recently a slew of complaints were submitted to the Advertising Standards Authority after an advertisement featuring two men of different races kissing, and ending with a condom being unwrapped.
“These complaints highlight the level of stigmatisation and discrimination that gay and other non-gay identifying men who have sex with men face.”
Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development John Jeffery said that in its quest to combat acts of homophobia and transphobia, his department and the National Task Team have developed the National Intervention Strategy, intended to address homophobic rapes and other actions in violation of the rights of LGBTI people.
“The challenge for us lies in changing the attitudes, to ensure that persons are not victims of violence or discrimination in their daily lives on the grounds of their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.”