Dialogue on LGBTI rights in Nyanga

GENDER activist Luxolo Ndlovu hosted a dialogue series in Nyanga challenging society’s treatment of those who are LGBTI, and to encourage others to be unapologetic about who they are.

The event, held at the Endlovini Hall in New Crossroads last week, saw parents coming together with sons and daughters to share personal experiences of living as a gay or lesbian in Cape Town.

Ndlovu hosted the dialogue in partnership with the Thami Dish Foundation, the Feather Awards, Gugulethu Spar and Score energy drink.

“The event was amazing; even those in the closet had a chance to share their story and learn how to become unapologetic about themselves. It has left us with the broader understanding of who we are and where the future is leading us.

“People are becoming more conscious and more informed about our differences.

“Parents wanted to understand the topic better and learn how to deal with their children.

“Being gay is not a choice; we were born this way. All that we need is to be accepted and be showered with love and support.

“Remember, we are the brothers, sisters and breadwinners to our families and we want the judgement, the abuse and killings to stop. We are human beings, too,” he said.

Ndlovu said he wanted to create a space to call their own, “to share our stories and discuss how we can protect each other”.

“I want others to change their mindset from negative to positive, which will make them see things differently in terms of self-developing and grooming them to have confidence in themselves.”

He also started an events company called Glamorous Events in 2016 which hosts annual modelling shows to recruit young people who have dropped out from school and those who make use of drugs to escape their fears.

On September 29, Glamorous Events will host “Mr and Miss Kasi” and alongside, “Mr and Miss Unapologetic Gay” at the Endlovini Hall.

For more information, Ndlovu can be contacted at 081 898 9179 or koyo.ndlovu@ gmail.com.