A gay activist appearing before a special parliamentary committee found himself having to answer probing questions from a curious MP who wanted the nitty gritty on what homosexuality was all about.
IFP MP Jeanette Vilakazi was unhappy with a submission given by the National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality, saying that they had failed to clarify what it was to be gay.
The coalition was among several interest groups who appeared before parliament's ad hoc committee on the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Bill.
"Most of society don't understand what gay is," said Vilakazi, a National Council of Provinces delegate.
"Males sometimes will ask: How do they sleep? What do they use? How do they do this?.
"It's just a confusion. It's just unnatural. It means we are all confused. You are talking about something we can't comprehend fully," Vilakazi told Shuaib Rahim, who was appearing for the coalition.
She urged Rahim to clearly define "what this is all about".
"We must know about it. Just like HIV/Aids, there are booklets to educate society. So really, I think we are just going to support something we don't know."
Vilakazi was supported by PAC deputy president Dr Motsoko Pheko, who said: "This is a controversial subject. We want to understand it, so that when we support a bill here, we can do so with a clear conscience."
Rahim's general explanation went: "Well, we are referring to sexual identity, the issue of who it is that you are, and what it is you are attracted to."
Unimpressed, Vilakazi insisted: "I say, society doesn't understand what it is all about. Define it, have pictures even, you know, how you do sex and all those things..."
Committee chairperson Mohseen Moosa intervened: "I need to protect the presenter."
He promptly closed the debate saying Rahim's presentation was clear. - Sapa