Gay Pride speech was ‘out of order’ – speaker
Ethekwini speaker Logie Naidoo responds to recent accusations of homophobia in the council.
eTHEKWINI Speaker, Logie Naidoo, has slammed statements by Councillor Martin Meyer regarding his attempt to deliver an announcement to the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and transsexual community at the recent meeting of council.
In a media statement this week, Naidoo said Meyer had presented a “distorted version of events” as to what had transpired at the council meeting.
According to Meyer he had tried to deliver an announcement to the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and transsexual community wishing them well for the Gay Pride event which took place at Kings Park at the weekend and to declare the city’s support for the gay community and the fight against homophobia.
Meyer said, at previous council meetings the Speaker had always allowed councillors to make such announcements from the floor, and in previous years had allowed him to raise this very point.
However, the moment he stood up in council and began speaking, ANC councillors responded by making cat calls and trying to silence him. When he asked for protection from the Speaker, Naidoo unilaterally decided that he would not allow Meyer to speak any further.
Meyer called on Mayor James Nxumalo to publicly commit council to fighting for the eradication of homophobia in the city.
However, Naidoo’s version of what took place differs.
“Councillor Meyer was out of order in attempting to ‘sneak-in’ an announcement on Durban Gay Pride without giving notice of his intention, as he tried to make the announcement after the Speaker’s report which is not permitted in terms of the orders for the meeting.
“He should have contacted me before the meeting, but failed to do so. Durban is an events City and we support all events whether it is sporting, cultural, political, conferencing, religious or community.
“We were not informed about Durban Gay Pride. As an ANC run City we support the constitutional rights of all people including gays and lesbians. We do not promote homophobia,” he said.
His statement made no mention of homophobic gestures and catcalls allegedly made by councillors while Meyer was addressing council.
