Misinformation and ill-advised perceptions are some of the reasons gays and lesbians are murdered and raped in communities, this is the opinion of Anele Lagunya, a leader of Free Gender.
She also believes that some men are threatened by gays and lesbians, and often resort to violence to “prove a point that they are real men”.
“Others just hate us for no reason,” she added. Lagunya was talking to City Vision during an awareness campaign to educate and change the perception that people have about gays and lesbians. It was also a platform for people to openly express their views and empower them with the right knowledge.
The event was organised by Free Gender ( a non-governmental organisation that advocates for the rights of the people who are in same sex relationships) in partnership with Amadoda Aqotho organisation.
The event was held at White House Hall in Makhaza on Saturday 13 September to interact and exchange ideas. It was attended by members of the Lesbian, Gays Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersexual and others (LGBTQI+) community.
“We invited men and wanted to know what they thought about us. We also wanted to know why they do all these things that they do to us such as rape, murder, attack, slandering etc. We also wanted to create a safe space where everyone can live in peace and harmony without being attacked or harassed,” said Lagunya.
She stated that based on their interaction with the members of Amdoda Aqotho they discovered that there was a misunderstanding among straight men about the LGBTQI+ community lifestyle.
“They don’t understand who we are. Some of them feel threatened by us assuming that we want to be men or take their girlfriends. By attacking us, they want to prove a point that they are real men,” she said.
Lumkile Sizila, the founder and coordinator of Amadoda Aqotho, described the gathering as educational.
Amadoda Aqotho is a non-profit organisation and a men’s social movement that is opposed to gender-based violence and femicide, crime, substance abuse and supports men’s health.
Sizila stated that their primary objective is to correct the wrongs done by men and bring back their dignity.
“We came with the resolution in that meeting that as men, we will protect all the women regardless of their sexuality. We will ensure that we protect the LGBTQI + community from the hooligans because they are our brothers and sisters,” he said.
Sizila stated that their sexuality is not a problem, the issue is lack of knowledge about their community. He stressed that they are prepared to work with them anytime. Sizila urged men to stop harassing people based on their sexual orientation.
