Proud LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and Questioning) community members took to the streets last week Saturday as their way of celebrating Pride Month.
They first gathered at Mason Park to plan the day, and then marched along Church Street – singing and dancing all the way – to Vryheid SAPS to hand over a memorandum to the station commander. The memorandum outlined their rights, and their desire to be protected and not discriminated against in the town of Vryheid.
Scelo Khanyile, who is the chairperson of Ubunye Vryheid LGBTI, said that the whole aim of the march was to make the people of Vryheid aware of them, respect them and not discriminate against them. He said they are trying to stop all the insults they get daily, and also stop killings that are related to gender-based violence and hate crimes perpetrated against the LGBTQ community.
“Everything went smoothly on Saturday, except for the fact that we felt as if the Vryheid SAPS officials did not take us too seriously. We told them about our awareness march on Saturday and only one State vehicle arrived, with two policemen. And when we reached the police station for the memorandum to be signed, the station commander was not available. At that moment, we were not quite sure what to do next, as the signing of the memorandum was the most important item of the day, but luckily one of the policemen signed the memorandum on behalf of the station commander,” he said.
Scelo mentioned that officials from different departments were then supposed to give speeches on the issue of LGBTQ in communities, but they didn’t pitch up. He says they are so thankful to Hlengiwe from the LGBTQ KZN Legislature, who availed herself on the day. They then gave speeches among themselves.
Members of the Ubunye Vryheid LGBTI would like to thank the KZN Legislature, ANCWL (who supported them), community members from Lakeside for sponsoring them with water, and all the LGBTQ members from Newcastle, Ulundi, Nongoma, Mondlo and Nquthu. ALSO READ:Spreading awareness among teenagers about a host of sexual issues Make sure you follow us on our social media platforms for regular updates
