Alex to host gay pageant
ALEXANDRA - Alexandra's gay fraternity will host a pageant in November to raise public awareness on the discrimination of those with different sexual orientations.
ALEXANDRA’S gay fraternity will host a pageant in November to raise public awareness about the discrimination of those with different sexual orientations.
The Miss Gay Alexandra 2014 pageant will be held at Sankopano Community Centre, and a number of drag queens are expected to compete.
Project co-ordinator Emmanuel Rattle said the purpose of the event is to sensitise the community to the ongoing discrimination of residents with different sexual preferences. “This is in order to raise their understanding through positive information on the discrimination which should be fought in order to secure other people’ rights,” he said.
He added that the discrimination bred gender inequality, perpetuated hate crimes and homophobic attacks in the community, schools, public places and even at churches. “Teenagers hear derogatory words about sexual orientation at least once in a while at school and in their communities,” said Rattle.
“Negative name-calling and harassment based on sexual orientation can be harmful, especially to the youths, because these comments are often used broadly to inflict harm.”
He said no adolescent should be discriminated against in any form or be abused emotionally for choosing his or her own lifestyle.
Rattle stated discrimination will only end through gender empowerment programmes which were missing in the community.
“These programmes are essential to help the community to accept and understand the power of ubuntu [humanity] which promotes understanding and acknowledgement of different views and preferences in life.” he concluded.
