Community dialogue looks at ways to keep lesbians safe

A COMMUNITY dialogue in Khayelitsha yesterday heard how lesbians in black townships had to be careful of their surroundings, where they chose to socialise, and “not place” themselves in “life-threatening situations”.

This comes barely a week after the murder of Noluvo Swelindawo, 22, a lesbian who is suspected to have been murdered in a hate crime.

LGBTI rights organisation, Free Gender, together with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development hosted civic organisations, government departments and the greater Khayelitsha community to participate in talks.

The founder of Free Gender Funeka Soldaat said: “The (department of) justice officials explained perfectly how it works, but we have to ask the questions of how this is being implemented on the ground and their progress.

“We also need to help our members stay vigilant, aware of dangers and not place ourselves in life-threatening situations”.

She said hate crimes and corrective rape was not often reported by women because of the victimisation they experienced in communities.

Commission for Gender Equality commissioner Nondumiso Maphazi said their mandate was to prevent any discrimination, specifically gender discrimination.

“Today our focus was on educating people about our role, and acceptance of the sexual orientation of their children and community members. We also offer support, be it counselling or legal, and during court we are there to observe the process,” said Maphazi.

Attending the talks was Lizzy Venfolo, grandmother of slain Phumeza Nkolozi who in 2012 was shot and killed in her home in Nyanga. “I am here to tell the mothers, we must embrace these daughters as our own. To these daughters, to be aware and to stay safe. The anger and issues they have will not be answered out on the streets,” said Venfolo.

She said she opens her door to lesbians as an alternative and would ask the greater community to come together and help protect their “daughters”.

A 19-year-old from Strand, who preferred not to be named, said while she is accepted by her family, she knows of others who are ostracised and victimised.

“I don’t believe these talks will change much, people do too much talking. We are also told we must stay away from places, but why must we?

“We have our freedom and we have our choice,” she said.

I don’t believe these talks will change much, people do too much talking