October 2020

March – November 1993 – Talks resumed at the MPNP and sexual orientation is debated The only party to oppose the sexual orientation clause in the Interim Constitution was the ACDP. Kenneth Meshoe, its leader at the time explained that: “[Homosexuality] is a lifestyle that is unacceptable to the majority of South Africans, besides the […]

Constitutional court cases and victories for the LGBTQIA+ community In the National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality and another v Minister of justice and others (1999)  the Constitutional Court held that sodomy laws  criminalised the intimate relationships of a vulnerable minority group – gay men. This degrading treatment constituted a violation of the rights

Today’s Issues – “The Constitution is beautiful on paper but in reality, it is not” Since 2000, there have been close to 40 lesbians murdered and on average about ten lesbians are raped each week by men who subscribe to the view that they are ‘correcting’ the women’s sexual orientations. Qualitative studies have revealed perpetrators’

February 1995 – 1996 – NCGLE’s contributions to the final text of the Constitution There were limited efforts by conservative religious groupings to mobilise opposition to the sexual orientation clause. Submissions (in the form of petitions and individual submissions) to the constitutional assembly, revealed widespread support: There were 7 032 submissions in favour of retention

July 1991 – The sexual orientation clause is endorsed OLGA went on to contact ten political parties and questioned them about their policy regarding the specific inclusion of sexual orientation as a protected category in the Bill of Rights. The Democratic Party responded affirmatively: “The Bill of Rights will guarantee all persons irrespective of sexual

13 October 1990 – “We’re here, we’re queer, we’re everywhere!” – Pride Marches This route was chosen for its accessibility and because Hillbrow was the main centre of gay social life under apartheid. Some marchers were indeed targeted after being spotted at the march. Beverley Ditsie’s speech at the event was broadcast on television and

January to March 1990 – The lesbian and gay rights charter campaign At a workshop entitled ‘Lesbian and Gay Rights are Human Rights’ at the University of the Witwatersrand, activist and lawyer Edwin Cameron gave the keynote address which assisted community members and organisation members in understanding how the ANC constitution could be utilised to