Poor execution of LGBTI rights in SA

Research from Gay Men, Intimacy and Family Life: Exploring Interracial Same-Sex Unions in Johannesburg has revealed that the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community still faces widespread, deep-rooted social justice challenges in South Africa.

The Everyday Social Justice for LGBTI in SA seminar hosted by the University of Johannesburg was the perfect setting for some of these issues to be discussed.

Dr Oluwafemi Adeagbo, PhD, spoke about issues such as shaming and family acceptance, discrimination, suppression of identity and discourse around homosexuality in Africa.

“Prevailing dialogues on the continent tend to suggest that same-sex relationships are abnormal and un-African and that sexuality in Africa is largely a heterosexual phenomenon,” said Dr Adeagbo.

It was also revealed that the tumultuous past of the country plays a role in the discrimination of interracial couples.

Dr Adeagbo explained that most black African parents and family members do not want anything to do with their ‘past oppressors’ and, as a result, they reject their children’s relationships.

Corrective rape seems to be on the rise and, unfortunately, LGBTI activists and communities feel that not enough is being done to actively tackle the problem.

Johan Meyer, health manager at OUT – LGBT Well-Being, an organisation that works with direct health and mental health services, research, mainstreaming and advocacy for the LGBTI community, spoke in response to Dr Adeagbo’s research findings and questions.

He explained some of the health-related problems that LGBTI communities are confronted with include inadequate health service provision and equality.

Interestingly, despite widespread social injustices, South Africa is viewed as a place of refuge for many African LGBTI people.

He concluded by noting that society needs to rethink how LGBTI rights in South Africa are practiced and protected, as they are currently only good on paper but lacking in action.