Are We Really Free ?

it has been 28 years since the African National Congress, in the Bill of Rights, endorsed the legal recognition of same-sex marriages, and the interim Constitution prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. These provisions were kept in the new Constitution, approved in 1996, due to the lobbying efforts of LGBT South Africans.^[As a result, South Africa became the first nation in the world to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in its constitution. Two years later, the Constitutional Court of South Africa ruled in a landmark case that the law prohibiting homosexual conduct between consenting adults in private violated the Constitution.

The question still remains. Are we really free ? some of the members of the queer community still feel like the Government is not doing enough to fight against the hate crimes towards the Queer community.

The murder of Andile ‘lulu’ Ntuthela who was found in a shallow grave in the backyard of the murder made waves on social media along with the murder of Sphamandla Khoza from KwaZulu Natal which also made us aware of other killings of the other members of the Queer community.

it is Pride month but a lot of the members of the queer community do not feel ecstatic about this year’s Pride month because of the recent killings which made them feel like they are at the bottom of the food chain and their problems are the least to be attended when being reported.

we can not run away from the fact that many South Africans still perceive LGBTQ individuals as inherently immoral and “un-African”, and thus pay little attention to the abuse they endure on a daily basis in the country.

Personally i think It is time for South Africa to respond decisively to this growing problem by adopting preventive measures against homophobic hate speech and hate crimes.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance of South Africa has urged the parliament to pass a proposed hate crimes law. The Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill 2018 aims to outlaw hate crimes and hate speech on grounds of race, gender identity and sexual orientation, among others. The bill’s ratification has been delayed due to concerns that it may inhibit freedom of speech.

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) party has always been progressive in this sphere and should demonstrate bold moral leadership by ratifying the planned hate crimes bill without further delay.

It must also use every single tool at its service to raise awareness about LGBTQ rights at home and abroad, as this persecuted community’s most fundamental human rights are under threat not only in South Africa but across the continent.