Proudly on parade to squash homophobia
MEC Simelane recently led a walk through the streets of Vryheid to speak out against homophobia and promote better access to health and general health awareness for LGBTQI+ individuals.
Statistics have shown that members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex+ (LGBTQI+) community are still subjected to discrimination, as well as rape and murder in extreme cases. KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane said she remains as committed as ever to change this status quo.
MEC Simelane recently led a walk through the streets of Vryheid to speak out against homophobia and promote better access to health and general health awareness for LGBTQI+ individuals. This is a partnership between the Department of Health and the Ubunye be-Vryheid LGBTQI Community Organisation. Simelane said that the intention of the parade was to squash homophobia, promote access to health for the LGBTQI+ community, and remind the public that people from this sector are not ‘animals’.
They must be treated equally and not be subjected to violence and hatred just because of their sexual orientation.Carrying placards with bold messages such as ‘LGBTQI+ HEALTH RIGHTS’; ‘WE’RE NOT ACTING, WE WERE BORN THIS WAY’ and ‘YOU TOO CAN HAVE A CHILD WHO IS GAY’, the participants – sometimes referred to as ‘The Alphabet Gang’ – marched through conservative Vryheid, attracting bemused stares and wonder from onlookers, some of whom blew their car hooters in support.The walk was followed by a candid community dialogue at Bhekuzulu between government officials and members of the LGBTQI+ community.
Speakers raised a number of issues that included fear of ‘coming out’, being judged harshly by family members after doing so, being bullied by learners and educators at school, being ridiculed by police instead of getting help, and being subjected to rude healthcare workers when seeking medical attention from clinics and hospitals.Simelane says that the days of health workers ill-treating and ridiculing members of the LGBTQI+ community in the province – denying them much-needed access to healthcare – are numbered.
“The department has a constitutional duty to provide healthcare to everyone, without fear, favour or discrimination according to gender or sexual orientation. We have a responsibility to provide a service and to promote a healthy lifestyle. When you need something and come to the department, we must provide you with that service. Whether I, as a healthcare worker, have been ‘saved’ or ‘born again’, or I go to a particular church, all of that has nothing to do with the fact that I’m a nurse or doctor, so I must provide a service.
’’She also reminded LGBTQI+ individuals to use the ‘protection’ provided. “Our society needs all of that beauty and brains. But those brains won’t be there when you’ve died due to HIV and syphilis, so take care of yourselves and look after yourselves. Protect yourselves by using the things that are available for your own protection. Another thing that worries us is – let’s not abuse alcohol and drugs. When you abuse alcohol and drugs, you’re exposing yourself to dangerous situations and setting yourself up for failure. If you want to be taken seriously, first take yourself seriously.”
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