• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Lifestyle

KwaZulu-Natal LGBTQI+ community living in fear amid frequent attacks

28 June 2022, 8:36 PM  |
Nonkululeko Hlophe Nonkululeko Hlophe |  @SABCNews
The group feels threatened and the continuous attacks have worsened matters.

The group feels threatened and the continuous attacks have worsened matters.

Image: Reuters

The group feels threatened and the continuous attacks have worsened matters.

The LGBTQI+ community in KwaZulu-Natal says they are still not safe. This is despite various campaigns aimed at educating communities to acknowledge that gay and lesbian people have a right to live peacefully, without being targeted and being attacked.

June month marks Pride month to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan.

The uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States of America.

The killing of at least four gay and lesbian people hogged the headlines in the province in the past two years.

The provincial legislature is holding a symposium in Durban about the challenges the LGBTQI+ community is experiencing.

The group feels threatened and the continuous attacks have worsened matters.

A few days ago, Siyabonga Sibisi was allegedly stabbed to death in Montclair, south of Durban. He is the latest victim.

Gay and Lesbian Alliance of South Africa’s Nkanyiso Sibiya says they do not feel safe.

“We don’t really feel safe in South Africa. There has been an increasing number of incidents that are happening across the country. It is frightening because we think we are moving forward but every time we take two steps forward, we are taking three steps backward. There are policies that are written but they are not implemented. In all honesty, the LGBTQI community is not safe in South Africa. We are trying to create safe communities and spaces on our own. We are not really safe.”

Calls for Hate Crime Bill

KwaZulu-Natal LGBT Recreation Executive Director, Hlengiwe Buthelezi, says they have long been calling for the government to pass a Hate Crime Bill.

“We have been calling upon the government since last year to pass a Hate Crime Bill for the reason that we want our hate crime cases to be judged for what they are, not just normal cases. Hate Crime Bill will be a tool in aiding this process that the judiciary system itself must be taught about. Hate crimes are these cases that are specifically directed at the LGBTQI sector. It is not just a normal case like everyone just being killed. Even killing is not correct but these cases must be judged for what they are.”

Secondary trauma  

Sazi Jali from the Trans Hope organisation, who is transgender, says sometimes they are faced with secondary trauma if they go to government institutions to report crime as officials insist on addressing them according to the gender they were assigned at birth.

“It’s Pride Month and sadly in 2022, we have just heard news that we have lost one member of the LGBTQI who was shot dead in Umlazi because sometimes hate crimes don’t go as further as killing. Only it’s small things – being called names, being misgendered, being not given your rights properly in the public institutions, that is hate crime itself. And we still get secondary victimisation, whenever you go to clinics and SAPS (South African Police Service) or any other form of government institution because certain people still have stereotypes of saying whatever you were assigned at birth that is what needs to be.”

Regerlee Letsapa, who is currently undergoing gender-affirming surgery, shares her highs and lows: 

Share article
Tags: KwaZulu-NatalHate Crimespride monthLGBQTI
Previous Post

Student accommodation dominates discussions at the NSFAS summit in Bloemfontein

Next Post

Lesufi slates ANC NEC decision making turnaround times, wants agile ANC

Related Posts

CEO of Aldente Africa Renee Chuks serves gluten-free pasta made of cassava to a customer during a weekly farmers' in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria June 25, 2022. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja

Nigerian entrepreneur turns local crops into gluten-free pasta

17 August 2022, 3:46 PM
Actor and musician Brian "Bruno" Majola

Musician and actor Brian ‘Bruno’ Majola passes on

17 August 2022, 9:07 AM
View of Silverball Retro Arcade, which is home to more than 150 fully functional pinball machines in Asbury Park, New Jersey, US, August 12, 2022.

Back to the 1950s: New Jersey beach town museum offers retro thrills for pinball fans

17 August 2022, 1:40 AM
Musican Tokollo Tshabalala.

SA music industry poorer without Tokollo Tshabalala: SAMA

16 August 2022, 5:19 PM
A candle burns at a funeral.

Tributes pour in for kwaito star Tokollo ‘Magesh’ Tshabalala

16 August 2022, 6:26 AM

SAMIC president expresses shock following TKZee member Tokollo Tshabalala’s passing

15 August 2022, 9:22 PM
Next Post
Newly-elected Gauteng ANC Chairperson Panyaza Lesufi oitured at the SABC News studios in Auckland Park, Johannesburg on 28 June 2022.

Lesufi slates ANC NEC decision making turnaround times, wants agile ANC

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • Home Affairs clamps down on passport fraud and introduces transit visas
  • Pick n Pay launches new supermarket brand
  • Home Affairs tightens rules on passport application to curb corruption
  • Public has two weeks to make comments on proposed changes to pension funds
  • Elon Musk says he is buying Manchester United
  • Home Affairs clamps down on passport fraud and introduces transit visas
  • Mogalakwena Municipality in Limpopo directed to terminate appointment of more than 400 workers
  • Pick n Pay launches new supermarket brand
  • Home Affairs tightens rules on passport application to curb corruption
  • Public has two weeks to make comments on proposed changes to pension funds

LATEST

Graphic depicting an arrest
  • South Africa

Kimberley doctor appears in court for allegedly raping teen patient


Boxing gloves
  • Sport

Usyk and Joshua ready for heavyweight showdown


A no trespassing sign
  • South Africa

Government seeks to repeal apartheid era trespass law


Tons of gold-bearing material seized by police.
  • South Africa

Farmer in Polokwane fears for his life after illegal miners invade his property


People march against GBV following the brutal murder of University of Fort Hare student Nosicelo Mtebeni on August 22, 2021.
  • Women's Month 2022
  • South Africa

[GRAPHIC CONTENT] Women in rural Eastern Cape continue to face GBV


A shopping cart is seen in a supermarket.
  • Business

Reserve Bank expects core inflation to average 3.9% this year


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Student accommodation dominates discussions at the NSFAS summit in Bloemfontein
Next Lesufi slates ANC NEC decision making turnaround times, wants agile ANC