Scores of lesbians staged a colourful march through the streets of South Africa’s sprawling Soweto township on Saturday to declare their rights in a country where they are often victims of sexual violence.
South Africa’s Constitution is the first in the world to recognise gay rights and it is poised to become the first African country to recognise homosexual marriage.
But rights groups say attacks on gays and lesbians have increased this year, which show that while the government recognises their rights the message has not filtered down to all South Africans.
Human Rights Watch reported a rising number of hate crimes against lesbians following the death of a young woman earlier this year who was beaten with golf clubs and bricks, then stabbed by boys in Cape Town’s Khayelitsha township.
”The march is a way to say we’re here to stay. We’re not going to wake up tomorrow and not be gay anymore,” said Ayanda Magudulela (20) of Forum for the Empowerment of Women, a black pro-lesbian group based in Soweto.
”Even five years ago this wouldn’t have happened and now here we stand today.”
There was a festive vibe as 40 women took to the paved roads of Soweto, a sprawling black township south-west of Johannesburg, where the parade drew a few curious looks and some heckles.
One participant donned cow skins, dress traditionally reserved for Zulu men, while others chanted and hoisted placards reading: ”A lesbian with HIV/Aids is still my sister” and ”Raping me won’t make me straight.”
A perception among many on the African continent is that homosexuality is an ”un-African” lifestyle that was introduced by white colonial men.
”For me, I don’t mind them. But I do think it’s strange, very strange,” said Rosemary Dlamini (18) as she watched the colourful parade from the front lawn of her home.
”Old people think they are a bad influence and will encourage us to be with someone of the same gender,” said onlooker Hope Sithole (15) who added men dressed in skimpy skirts and wigs are a common site in the community.
”I’m not all for gay people but I accept it and what they do doesn’t bother me. It’s their right to be themselves.”
The rally marked the second year Soweto played host to ”Mini Pride,” in the lead-up to the much bigger Gay Pride parade in Johannesburg that takes place later this month.
It comes as South Africa is set to become the first country in Africa to allow homosexual marriage under proposed legislation being studied by Parliament that gives same sex couples the same rights as heterosexual ones.
The Constitutional Court gave Parliament one year to change the law after ruling it was unconstitutional to forbid gay people the right to marry.
Organisers of the march were disappointed with the low turnout but said they hope attendance to rise in what is expected to become an annual event.
”The Constitution has been adopted and it’s the law of the land to for people to have their own sexual orientation,” said Wilson Matsangu, as he sipped a beer outside the park where demonstrators gathered for refreshments and speeches.
”They are human beings before they are labelled gays and lesbians.” – Reuters