Queer people’s lives don’t seem to matter in SA

In this file picture, ANCWL and LGBTQI members protest outside the home of Lerato Moloi in Naledi, Soweto. Moloi was raped and killed in what was believed to have been a hate crime. Picture: Bhekikhaya Mabaso

In this file picture, ANCWL and LGBTQI members protest outside the home of Lerato Moloi in Naledi, Soweto. Moloi was raped and killed in what was believed to have been a hate crime. Picture: Bhekikhaya Mabaso

Published Jun 24, 2021

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By Angelina van Rooyen

JUNE is known as Pride month for the members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI+) community to raise awareness for queer people.

However, it is disheartening and sad the way in which queer people are brutally killed in communities due to hate crime. We live in an era of homophobia; those people who will do just about anything that involves destroying the innocent lives of other people just because of their sexuality.

Queers have their own lives cut short for them and nothing is done to restrain the raising numbers of violence and brutal killings towards them in the country. Clearly, the murders of queer peoples are not loud enough for people to realise that innocent lives are lost in the process of their hatred.

Queers lives matter, these are people who have dreams and ambitions. People who have families that depend on them, people who are likely to create employment for the youth. These are free-spirited individuals who live their lives not bothering anyone or breaking any law. Instead, people who are exposed to committing crime are the ones who live their life freely without any fear.

We live in the 21st century and in a country where, according to the Constitution, everyone has the right to live safely and free from discrimination about their sexual orientation. Queers live in fear of whether they will be the next victims of hate crime when all they hope for is acceptance from the society.

Shortly after the democratic system was implemented, Nelson Mandela declared to “build a society in which all South Africans will be able to walk tall and without any fears in their hearts. And to build a rainbow nation that is at peace with itself and the world.”

This declaration seems to have been abandoned while the LGBTQI+ community continues to suffer the most brutal killings.

It is evident that the justice system is still a common frustration in the country, where in some cases due diligence is not done. What one can hope for is a violent-free society by fighting for more security. While we are still celebrating Pride Month, let us remember all the lives that hate crime has claimed and delve deeper into the fact that more needs to be done about the safety of queers.

RIP to all the souls we have lost. They did not deserve to succumb to death in the painful manner that they did.

Angelina van Rooyen is a journalism student and has recently joined The Star for experiential learning.

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