Johannesburg - LGBT+
South Africans said the continent's first Queer Wellness Centre,
which opened on Tuesday, would spare gay and trans people the
shame, rejection and confusion that they often face when seeking
medical care.
The founders of the centre in Johannesburg said it would provide clients with "stigma-free"
sexual and mental health services, as well as treatments that
focused specifically on LGBT+ people's need.
"We hope that other African countries will see that if we
can do this, then it is possible for them to do it too," said
Mzamo Mbelle, a medical doctor working with the centre, which
was decorated with paintings for sale by LGBT+ artists.
Africa has some of the world's most prohibitive laws against
homosexuality, with 33 nations out of 54 criminalising same-sex
relations, according to the ILGA, an LGBT+ rights group, with
punishments ranging from imprisonment to death.
South Africa is the only country on the continent to allow
same-sex marriage and its 1996 constitution was the first in the
world to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation.
There are five LGBT+-friendly clinics in South Africa but
none specifically catering to gay and trans people, said Mbelle,
giving the example of anal pap smears, which are recommended for
people with HIV.
Almost 8 million South Africans are HIV positive - the
largest population in the world - government data shows.
A crowd listens to Miss South Africa, Sasha-Lee Olivier, at the launch of the Queer Wellness Centre in Johannesburg yesterday. Picture: Kim Harrisberg/Thomson Reuters Foundation
Claudia Do Vale, co-founder of the centre, said she used her
life savings of about R1 million to fund the
project after realising LGBT+ patients were not receiving the
care they needed.
"For example, a transgender woman may not be checked for
both prostate and breast cancer," said Do Vale, a doctor
specialising in kidney care. "Doctors may not check if flu
medication interferes with intersex patients' hormone therapy."
The centre will also help fast track transgender affirmation
therapy by connecting patients with surgical specialists and
hormone therapy.
"Health is a human right," said Thami Kotlolo, an LGBT+
activist at the launch ceremony, adding that gay and trans
patients were often turned away or misdiagnosed by medics with
limited understanding of the LGBT+ community.
"We face homophobia in schools, workspaces and hospitals. We
so appreciate having a safe space like this."