Ikhwezi Community Day Centre in Lwandle, together with various local stakeholders, hosted a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) community awareness event to educate and empower residents on Friday 4 September.

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Clinic promotes inclusivity

The event organiser and enrolled nursing auxiliary (ENA) at the clinic, Natasha Williams, described the event as educational. She said they want to change the narrative people have about the LGBTQI+ community. She stated that the clinic is open to all.

“We noticed that sometimes our people don’t know where to go or who to talk to when they have a problem. We want them to feel free to come to our facilities. Part of our event is health promotion and information sharing with the community as well,” said Williams.

Stigma still rife in the community

Sister Andiswa Bhaza added that the aim is to educate the community at large. She acknowledged that stigma against the LGBTQI+ community still exists. She said it is high time for the community members to respect each other regardless of sexual orientation.

A member of the LGBTQI+ community from Nomzamo, Yanga Ngesi, echoed Bhaza’s sentiments, stating that there is still stigma against the LGBTQI+ community.

‘We want to be treated as humans

“We are still discriminated against in some parts of the community. Some people call us by derogatory names. We are humans and we want to be treated as such,” he said, adding that all they need is to be accepted by the community. Ngesi emphasised that being gay does not change the fact that he is a man.

Police urge residents to respect rights

Lwandle Police Station communications officer WO Mthokozisi Gama urged everyone to respect everyone’s rights, as enshrined in the Constitution. He said the station’s doors are open to everyone.