Department of Social Development continues working on strategies as Pride Month comes to an end
“These strategies will ensure that issues affecting LGBTQIA+ individuals will be treated with the same urgency as issues of violence against women and children.”
As Pride Month draws to a close, the Gauteng Department of Social Development continues to formulate strategies to facilitate the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The continued formulation of strategies comes after the department raised concerns over the number of hate crimes committed against the LGBTQIA+ community in recent months.
Since 1990 there have been pride parades in SA, highlighting the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.
According to the department, pride parades in SA were historically used for political advocacy, against legal discrimination of the LGBTQIA+ community, and for the celebration of equality before the law after the apartheid era.
In recent years, pride parades were and are increasingly used for political advocacy against LGBTQIA+ hate crimes such as the so-called corrective rape of lesbians in townships and to remember victims thereof.
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As enshrined in the Constitution of SA, no one should be unfairly discriminated directly or indirectly on one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.
Furthermore, the constitution refers to the right to dignity, and this is inclusive of everyone.
Gauteng Department of Social Development deputy director of media liaison and strategy Busi Kheswa said in the first few months of 2021 there were reports of several hate crimes, which included the murders of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Kwesha said the hate crimes are a clear indication of the levels of intolerance in communities.
She highlighted that the incidents took place across the country, in a democratic country, wherein everyone has the right to exercise their sexuality without fear of victimisation, intimidation or being killed.
In light of the murders, Kwesha said the Gauteng Department of Social Development is continuing efforts to formulate strategies to mainstream LGBTQIA+ needs across all programmes.
“A lot more still needs to be done as the LGBTQIA+ community continues to be marginalised and violated. These strategies will ensure that issues affecting LGBTQIA+ individuals will be treated with the same urgency as issues of violence against women and children.”
Kheswa called on community members to heed the call for tolerance, respect and protection of one another.
“As responsible citizens, we should put an end to such discrimination and learn to co-exist.
“We must uphold the ethos that informed the ideals of a South African society that is non-sexist, non-racial and equal society as our liberation movement leaders embraced.”
She emphasized that no one should be targeted because of their sexual orientation.
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