Sara president opposes ‘forced gay rights’ on children in schools, slammed as homophobic

South African Rainbow Alliance (Sara) president Colleen Makhubele says she is concerned about alleged gay views being “forced” on school children. A claim that has drawn backlash from the LGBTQ+ community.

‘Propoganda’

Makhubele this week complained about laws she said may confuse school children and force homosexual views on them.

“Sara policy vehemently rejects the introduction of transgender and gay propaganda in schools, Sara doesn’t want gay or LGBTQ+ rights forced on our children at schools through, especially, the BELA Bill.

She called for “Godly principles” and prayer in schools.

“Our religious beliefs and children’s development are more important than indecency in dress code and gay social issues,” Makhubele said.

‘Homophobic’

Her comments were slammed by LGBTQ+ legal researcher Kellyn Botha who labelled them homophobic.

“It is a pity to see a party naming itself the Rainbow Alliance being so blatantly homophobic in its speech and actions,” Botha told The Citizen.

Botha suggested Makhubele’s comments were made to “stir up fear and hatred over nothing, to score political points”.

“The democratic principles of our diverse nation of course have room for everyone to express their views and maintain their beliefs.

“But given that there is no such thing as a trans or gay ‘agenda’ and that black trans and bisexual persons, gay men and lesbian women are also disproportionately targeted by the very GBV SARA claims to fight against, I cannot imagine any rationale for these statements beyond trying to stir up fear and hatred over nothing, to score cheap political points.”

Botha urged all political parties to work with the LGBTQ+ community to find constructive ways to ensure the rights of all South Africans are protected and upheld.

Makhubele said she was not homophobic but believed that each individual should choose their own identity without external force.

“Gay people are like all of us and we respect their rights. I believe that certain ideas should not be forced on others. This is why we live in a democracy,” she said.

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Teen pregnancies

Makhubele also shared concerns about the dress codes at South African schools, suggesting it led to teenage pregnancies.

“The high teenage pregnancy in schools is shocking but not surprising considering that more than 90% of girls in schools wear clothing that indecently exposes the thighs and cleavages of young girls.

“The school dress codes must prohibit clothing items such as halter or strapless tops, skirts or shorts shorter than mid-thigh and bar the exposure of cleavage.

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“Boys dress code must prohibit items such as muscle t-shirts and sagging pants that exposes underwear,” she said.

Makhubele said the current “inappropriate” dress codes often “sexualise, particularly black girls” and “criminalise black boys” with sagging pants.