By REGINALD KANYANE
The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) has established a forum for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+). The GTLM mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe said the Bill of Rights is enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 includes a guarantee of equality and a prohibition of unfair discrimination on several grounds, including gender and sexual orientation.
“We have taken an initiative to recognise and further establish social forums that will enable planning, communication and coordinates on different social partners. Therefore, we have realised a dire need to establish a forum representing (LGBTQI+).
“We consequently need to place this vulnerable group on the forefront of the social charter as per constitutional mandate, which narrates that together we must build a non-sexist and non-racial society. Remember, Taung is predominantly rural and comprises 106 villages,” he said.
Gaoraelwe further said the societal stigma towards LGBTQI+ community emanates from non-conforming to patriarchal gender, low-level of education, cultural and religious beliefs, lack of understanding, intolerance, sexuality norms and roles that are prescribed by society are a driving force behind the discrimination. He added that, there are people who are unwelcoming of other sexual orientations because they deem homosexuality as a social evil.
“So, we deem it fit to give necessary recognition to this vulnerable group, educate the broader society, workshop and edify other sectors of the society to tolerate and co-exist with them. We intend to work with all other stakeholders such as South African Police Service (SAPS), Department of Justice, Department of Social Development, Department of Basic Education, Department of Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).
“The municipality is embarking on a robust drive to respond to LGBTQI+ needs and specific vulnerability and strengthen the capacity. To address and arrest gender and sexual orientation-based violence against LGBTQI+ persons.
“Our objective is to create and maintain supportive environment, in which group members and their respective contributions are valued. We also want to rally behind a comprehensive approach to promote human rights of LGBTQI+ community, combat heterosexism and homophobia,” said Gaoraelwe.
The chairperson of LGBTQI+ forum, Tshepiso Pholisane who is a transgender said: “We experiencing discrimination at schools and workplaces. Our LGBTQ+ members are victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and we cannot be allowed at certain churches. We are being criticized and sometimes cannot access healthcare services due to our sexuality,” Pholisane said.
She said she is grateful to receive a positive response from various stakeholders. Pholisane said, as the LGBTQI+ community, they hope things will change for the better.
“We need to continue to educate the public about the LGBTQ+ community. Most definitely, we will host such an event annually. We are happy that we have established the forum and we want to send our token of appreciation to the mayor and the municipality at large,” she said.
A local socialite, Moikanyi Kadisa who is affectionately known as the Public Figure said: “I feel that many people are trying to fit in within the society’s conventional way of being classified as male or female. However, if one comes out, they are subjected to all sorts of abuse and insults.
“I also believe that it is easier for an individual to criticize something that they are not familiar with. So, I applaud the office of the mayor for creating this platform, where the community as well as the LGBTQI+ members can engage and create awareness.”
Kadisa said he also had his fair share of criticism even though there is an increased number of acceptance. He said he is grateful that there is a higher visibility in the media too.
The Guardian 