POLITICAL PARTIES EXPLAIN THEIR STANCE TOWARDS EQUALITY ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION

POLITICAL PARTIES EXPLAIN THEIR STANCE TOWARDS EQUALITY ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Published on: 31 March 2009

OUT-Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender (LGBT) Well-being recently surveyed major political parties on their stance towards equality on the basis of sexual orientation. The survey, conducted in preparation for the general election, aims to increase awareness of issues faced by LGBT communities, with a view to inspire voters to exercise an informed vote. Issues of sexual orientation tend to be omitted or de-prioritised, yet for many LGBT people, their sexual orientation and its acceptance within society is their most urgent concern.

South Africa offers constitutional protection on the basis of sexual orientation but not enough is being done to actively promote this. Increasing incidents of hate crimes on the basis of sexual orientation, widespread hate speech that is seldom addressed and curbed, a recent failure of the South African Government to commit itself to the protection of LGBT people at a United Nations forum, and inadequate service delivery to LGBT people all are warning signs of the erosion of our equality

The African National Congress (ANC), African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the Independent Democrats (ID), and the Democratic Alliance (DA) expressed their views on specific issues. COPE, the Freedom Front Plus and the Africa Muslim Party were also contacted but did not offer responses.  The parties who took part in the survey reiterated that LGBT rights are human rights, which are protected by the Constitution and stressed that practices and policies of various service providers should honour freedom, equality and dignity of all South Africans. The only exception was the ACDP, who view constitutional protection as a ‘special right’ and believe that homosexuality to be a “sin”.

According to Prof Vasu Reddy, an expert in gender and sexuality issues from the Human Sciences Research Council says: “Political parties need to demonstrate, both in their manifestos and their commitments to uphold the values of respect, dignity, equality and tolerance in a country where gender-based violence, herterosexism and homophobia is still rampant. Political parties need to demonstrate unequivocally how they plan to respond to and actively promote equality with respect to gender and sexual minorities beyond the process of electioneering.” He questions: “Are political parties being politically correct at the time of electioneering, or are they principally committed to actively work towards combating inequities in respect of gender and sexual diversity? Are political parties dedicated to working with civil society organisations to promote such equality through public education and campaigning?”

Dawie Nel, the Director of OUT, stated: “It is welcoming that the major parties value constitutional protection on the basis of sexual orientation and want to uphold it. However, it is not clear how they plan to address societal prejudice and discrimination in service delivery. It will be important for LGBT people to engage as much as possible with political parties, also at Ward levels, to ensure specific, workable and sustainable programmes for transformation.”

The full set of answers can be downloaded [HERE]. For more information, please contact Dawie Nel on 012-344 5108 or email: director@out.org.za

 

 

OUT-LGBT Well-being in a NGO that was started in 1994. It is a registered NGO with the Department of Social Development and receives national and international funding. OUT works in the areas of direct health and mental health service provision, research, mainstreaming and advocacy. OUT is dedicated to the building healthy empowered lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in Tshwane, Gauteng and South Africa. OUT wants to reduce heterosexism and homophobia in society. The mission of OUT is to work towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender peoples’ physical and mental health and related rights.