YES! WELL UM MAYBE, WE CAN...

Published on: 10 June 2009

NOTE: The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of OUT. This platform is provided for expression by any, who has an interest in the LGBTIQ community. Please send submissions to administrator@out.org.za

 

YES! WELL, UM MAYBE, WE CAN...

I really enjoyed watching the American Presidential Election. It was a spectacle complete with weeping African American icons and fireworks and fanfare. Beyond 100 days in office Barrack Obama has done well in a difficult international climate but there are issues that have been pushed to the backburner. He made sweeping statements about ensuring LGBT equality but already there is very obvious inaction on many issues such as Civil Unions and the Army’s ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ policy.

We all know that in electioneering would-be presidents promise things they will never live up to. This is a hidden truth of political life it seems. It’s when those promises are central to protecting our happiness, livelihood or our very lives that we should stand up and ensure that they are delivered. What worries me is that in all his electioneering and his state of the nation address Jacob Zuma has mentioned nothing of the inequality experienced by LGBT people in our country. We don’t even have a promise to hold our leaders to.

Yes we do have a great constitution and seemingly good legal protection of our rights as LGBT people but this in no way reflects the reality of the suffering of many South Africans. Yes there seem to also be more pressing issues on a grand scale around putting food or cheap products on the table internationally and everything is relative. But if we are not represented at all we are invisible. And for those of us who are threatened, abused or even killed it makes all the difference to have had some standing up and making sure we are catered for.

Why do the powerful political players in our country not know of these people or politically care? We live in a time which tends to favour the happiness of the masses and it is easy to become marginalised in such a culture. That which makes it easier for us in the face of such adversity is solidarity, vigilance and most importantly political visibility. This in turn means the work done by LGBT groups in our country is not only important but essential to maintaining our status as free and happy people.

Perhaps the more cynical amongst us may take heart in Jacob Zuma being silent on LGBT issues because at least he isn’t saying anything against us. The problem is that he is the leader of our country - all of our country which includes the LGBT community. Here is a leader reputed to have more of an ear for the suffering of the people and as of yet we don’t feel he is our leader.

It must have been somewhat daunting being a political player running in any election after the world watched the popular figure of Barrack Obama bring hope to the free world. It would be almost impossible to be as smooth, with promises as ideological, as uniting or inspiring. I think we all realise this but for this group of people I would ask Mr Zuma to at least try to give us something to look up to, to give us hope of a more secure, happier and comfortable future.