With more and more reports of violence and deaths amongst members of the LGBTQIA+ coming in, it's important for us to acknowledge and fight against homophobia and the violence that can come as a result of it.
Now, President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged not only the youth, but all South Africans, to not be homophobic and participate in these injustices.
In his virtual address for Youth Day, the President said:
We must say no to violence against members of the LGBTQI+ community. Homophobia-fuelled violence has no place in our society.
June marks International Pride Month which commemorates the milestones made by Trans and Queer individuals, such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who fought bravely for the rights of members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The community has come very far in terms of freedom and still has a longer journey ahead in the fight against homophobia and to see equality. We have people like Johnson, Rivera and Simon Nkoli to give thanks to for where we are as well as many others.
Nkoli founded the Gay and Lesbian Organisation of the Witwatersrand (GLOW) who organised the first pride parade in South Africa which was held in October 1990. South Africa's pride month is in October which gives us all another opportunity to act against the violence inflicted on the LGBTQIA+ community.
Just this week, we saw a protest being held in KwaMakhutha, Durban by LGBTQIA+ members as they demanded justice for the murder of Anele Bhengu, a young lesbian who murdered because of her sexuality, and for an investigation to be done into her death.
Members of the LGBTI community who spoke to EWN said that they will ensure that her passing is not in vain.
Bhengu’s body was found on Sunday morning and it was revealed that she was stabbed to death and then dumped in a ditch.
Over the past few months, we've seen a number of reports of LBTQIA+ deaths due to being attacked for their sexuality. Calls have therefore come for Parliament to go through with the Hate Crimes Bill and to do more.
