The Right To Be Different

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 …

March – November 1993 – Talks resumed at the MPNP and sexual orientation is debated Read More »

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 …

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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’ …

Today’s Issues – “The Constitution is beautiful on paper but in reality, it is not” Read More »

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 …

February 1995 – 1996 – NCGLE’s contributions to the final text of the Constitution Read More »

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 …

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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 …

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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 …

January to March 1990 – The lesbian and gay rights charter campaign Read More »

The ANC’s Constitutional Guidelines and the sexual orientation clause Explore the archive Documents Previous Next

GLOW’s expansion GLOW offered a range of resources and produced a monthly Glowletter featuring organisational updates, advertisements for pen pals, and international gay rights news. GLOW organised the continent’s first pride march, organised Miss Glow drag competitions and co-drafted the Lesbian and Gay Charter. GLOW’s Lesbian Forum was conceived of as a safe place for …

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24 November 1987 – The re-evaluation of ANC policy At Mbeki’s request, Tatchell distributed this letter far and wide and continued to engage with exiled ANC leaders in London, including Albie Sachs—then a member of the constitutional working committee. The ANC’s commitment expressed here helped pave the way for the inclusion of a ban on …

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