First gay pride march in city

MBOMBELA – Homosexual people of various provinces such as Gauteng and North West came in their numbers to the CBD on Saturday, to speak in one voice during the first Annual Mpumalanga Gay Pride March.

They were demanding to be treated as human beings as they are full citizens of the country who want their rights to be respected and their voices to be heard.

Mpumalanga News learnt that they marched down various streets in town carrying placards with different messages as a way of showing people that they exist, are proud of themselves and can’t simply change just because there is discrimination and abuse in society.

It’s reported that homosexual people are still falling victim to sexual abuse as in most cases, lesbians are raped by men who want to “teach them how it feels to be a woman”.

Such incidents have been rife since 2012 and last year there was the brutal attack on a 26-year-old at Ekurhuleni,

Ms Duduzile Zozo who was raped and murdered in what was believed to be a hate crime.

Another incident was that of Mr David Olyn (21) who was also brutally murdered early this year after suspects bashed his head with a brick and jumped on his face while he was tied up with a wire.

Speaking to this publication, the chairperson of the Lowveld Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and Transsexaul (LLGBT) Joy Kunene said, “It’s about time for homosexual people to come out of their closets and face the world since we are living in a free country where everybody is entitled and has the right to be safe and free. Discrimination has to come to an end as we are human beings who deserve to be treated equally.”

One of the activists of the LLGBT, Palesa Shabangu of Khumbula in KaBokweni said, “I love myself the way I am. I am not ashamed that I’m gay and my community is treating me with love and respect, but I know that there are other members who are experiencing difficulties in their communities. We can’t change just because we want to please them,” she concluded.