CALL FOR LGBT PEOPLE TO VOTE
The Joint Working Group (JWG), a network of South African LGBT activist organisations, on Thursday called on all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people to take an active part in the process of electing a new President and Parliament during the 2009 General Election, which will be held on 22 April.
It said that it is through active participation in democracy that the LGBT community can best safeguard the hard won rights and protections enshrined in the constitution.
The JWG added that it is deeply concerned about the growth of ideologies that undermine constitutional protections, legislative orders and democratic principles; ideologies such as nationalism, tribalism, fundamentalism, and conservative forms of morality.
It noted that these ideologies provide a fertile base for identity based prejudice such as racism, xenophobia and homophobia.
“We are concerned and affected by violent language and abuse of the right to freedom of expression that we hear from prominent leaders in this country, a language that encourages crime and violence towards anyone on the basis of their identities or their ideologies. We call on all responsible leaders to retract and discipline members of their parties who incite violence and crime, including those that perpetuate heterosexist views, misogyny and homophobia,” said the group.
The members of the JWG have demanded a future government that:
- Advances the rights, interests, needs and demands of LGBTI people in South Africa,
- Fully and publicly affirms the rights of LGBTI people as full and equal citizens,
- Takes the recognition of the full rights of LGBTI people as full and equal citizens a living reality,
- Fully and publicly affirms LGBTI issues as part of gender issues and challenge the current silence in gender debates on LGBTI issues,
- Addresses the exclusion of the reality, concerns, interests and needs of LGBTI people in the programmes and policies on HIV/AIDS,
- Addresses the exclusion of the reality, concerns, interests and needs of LGBTI people in the delivery of all services and opportunities in our society especially appropriate access to medical rights for the distinct needs of LGBTI people,
- Is willing to commit state resources to LGBTI needs, making access to land to all unmarried women, lesbian and gay people, in communal lands, integrating sexual orientation education in gender and sexuality education in all schools
- Will take effective and consistent action to end hate crimes and hate speech against LGBTI people, in particular black lesbians and to commit to the education, conscientisation and mobilisation of all of society against hate crimes and hate speech.
The JWG committed itself to take these demands to all its constituencies and allies to include in the campaigns for the election of the country’s next President and Parliament: “We need to work with like-minded organisations and people during the period leading to the 2009 national elections to ensure that LGBTI issues are on the table and to challenge those who hope to lead us to engage with those issues.”
The organisation also announced that it will host an Election Forum on March 27, at 6pm at the old Women’s Goal at Constitution Hill, Joburg. All are welcome to attend. For more information contact Emily Craven on 011 403 5566 or at emily@jwg.org.za.
“Listen to and challenge the people who come looking for your support and finally, whether you want to vote for a party or spoil your ballot in protest, make use of your rights as full and equal citizens of South Africa by coming out to vote!”
vote. Hi yes will def vote, but no parties have gay rights spec on their agenda and non one has been to my area in roodepoort to visit or drop off their manifestos. Do yu have any ideas of which parties- mainyl DA and COpe as they the only two opp parties likely to have much chnace of getting seats- have gay rights spec onthei r agendas, I know there are many open gays in DA. AR
Voting Joke!. Good luck wiht your endeavours.
There is a LOT of apolitical gay ppl out there. They are the kind that are quick to bitch about everything but not prepared to go and vote.
All i can say (and hope and pray) is GOOD LUCK!
You need to get OUT there and create fuck loads more awareness!
Far too little is being done about creating awareness!
Awareness. Awareness on these issues starts with every one of us. As per South African “culture” we sit back, and look towards the “organisations” like the JWG to do our fighting FOR us. And complain of course when we don’t get it. The responsibility lies with every single LGBTI person to make the people YOU get into contact with aware, and educate on the level that you can and are, whether it is a converstation with someone, if you are out, or an anonymous blog if you want your identity protected. There are LOADS of different ways to make people aware. Debate issues with people, even your own family, if you have to. One persom that is educated, and knows, and accepts and respects, can help the next person he comes in contact with, etc. Knowledge is power. ESPECIALLY in our uneducated black communities. Our black brothers and sisters have an even harder job and more responsibility, as their cultures are very different, and it will take a lot to change that.
And the same goes for the election. Get up, VOTE, actually DO something. Not voting, is as good as voting for the ANC. We have to BE the change we want to see in this country. And not only when it is election time but inbetween too. However small your gesture or act, it could have far reaching implications.