Woman in gender debacle may sue

A WOMAN allegedly kicked out of a Johannesburg shelter due to her transgendered identity‚ is now destitute and may sue the Department of Social Development for psychological trauma.

The woman‚ being represented by organisation Iranti-Org‚ said she was evicted from a Braamfontein women’s shelter after overhearing a conversation between staff members about her future there.

“Having laid a formal grievance with the organisation relating to the discussion around her identity and invasion of priva the victim was given a meeting time which was subsequently cancelled and, thereafter, was faced with accusations of inappropriate behaviour within the shelter space‚” IrantiOrg said.

The woman‚ whose identity is protected as she falls into a vulnerable class of persons in South Africa‚ was allegedly instructed to leave the shelter on February 7.

“The woman was provided with no safe alternative accommodation within the Johannesburg area.

“It has been alleged through correspondence from the Department of Community Safety that on the advice of the Commission for Gender Equality [CGE]‚ they evicted the victim ‘based on gender as our shelter is for women’.

“We will continue to work toward finding safe and secure accommodation for the victim in question‚ who has been destitute for 16 days and counting,” Iranti-Org said.

Spokesperson for the CGE Javu Baloyi said the matter was still under invest

“The CGE is committed to protecting the rights of LGBTIQA [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer/Questioning and Allied] communities as the law requires‚ and as such‚ the matter regarding [the] shelter is no different in that it will receive [the] same amount of attention as other cases.”

The woman and IrantiOrg are demanding an apology from all the parties involved and are considering seeking damages from the Department of Social Development for the woman’s “mistreatment‚ apparent discrimination and psychological trauma”.

Iranti-Org added that its correspondence with government departments showed a lack of respect for‚ and understanding of the issues facing transgender and gender-diverse South Africans.

The Gauteng Departments of Social Development and Community Safety have been approached for comment. — TMG