The University of Cape Town's (UCT) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, has issued an apology to the LGBTQAI+ community after hosting a virtual lecture session entitled "What does science say about LGBTQIA+" which was highly criticised.
The open lecture, which was presented by Chimamanda Adichie and included an online interview with urologist, Dr Kgomotso Mathabe, was meant to provide an informative dialogue on matters within the sphere of the LGBTQIA+ community.
However, it quickly became clear that the session brought about the opposite result after it was met with scathing criticism from the LGBTQIA+ community who described it as "transphobia, harmful speech towards intersex persons [and] queerphobia”.
Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng
This prompted the university as well as their Vice-Chancellor to issue an apology on Friday last week.
I apologize without reserve for the hurt and distress these events, not only to the LGBTQIA+ community but to everyone that is concerned about our quest for dignity and humanity for all. To further that quest amidst the hurt and distress and anger, I have decided to have engagements with the LGBTQIA+ community over the next two months.
In response, the university's Chair of Council, Ms Babalwa Mngonyama issued a statement in which she welcomed the Vice-Chancellor's apology adding that her acknowledging the mistake will go a long way in her quest to work towards inclusivity and diversity.
As the Chair of the Council of The University of Cape Town, I note and welcome the unreserved apology from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng for the hurt and distress caused by the that she hosted on Sunday, 5 September entitled "What does science say about LGBTQIA+. I appreciate her humility, integrity and courage in reflecting on this matter and her recognition that there was caused.
As one of the guests of the session, Steve Biko Academic Hospital's urologist Dr Kgomotso Mathabe went on to say that she apologised for the way in which the conversation was received adding that it was not their intention.
The intention was not to harm and if people did experience it that way, that certainly was not the intention I apologise for that the feeling that was triggered in them. If it did hurt people, that was certainly not the intention.
One of the main points of criticism that could be found in the comments section of the VC’s live session, was the absence of queer representatives to aid in the discussion of, and the attempt to educate, around matters relating to the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Gender Diversity Coalition released a press statement saying that even the title alone and the seminar itself was an attack on, "Trans and Intersex persons and their families who feel the daily violence of medical and pathologized diagnosis that have no positive outcome on their lives”.
Related: UCT Vice-Chancellor Under Fire After Harmful LGBTQIA+ Seminar
UCT Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng's apology to the LGBTQIA+ community following the session on Sunday, 4 September 2021. pic.twitter.com/nS9xoEZqBl
— UCT (@UCT_news) September 10, 2021
Statement from the Chair of Council, Ms Babalwa Ngonyama, on the apology of the VC following Sunday’s session titled ‘What does science say about LGBTQA+’. pic.twitter.com/EN2D73PxM8
— UCT (@UCT_news) September 10, 2021
