The LGBTIQA+ community in the North West is concerned about the increasing number of cases of violence targeted against their members.
This emerged at the annual Mahikeng Pride March, which was led by the Gay Umbrella North West on Saturday.
The pride March organiser from Gay Umbrella North West, Lerato Fleming, said the justice system is failing to address cases of homophobia in the country.
“There is institutionalised violence, especially when looking at the Transgender and Intersex individuals, with regards to intersex. It is reported that 1 in 400 people in South Africa is intersex, the practice of performing surgeries on intersex babies to assign biological sex is still prevalent, albeit the country has declared the practice as harmful.
“The justice system is just dragging us to get us to where we need to be. All we know is that where we are right now is not where we should be. I also think that on the issue of rape victims, it takes a while for a person to come out and say she was raped out of fear of being judged.
“They are afraid that someone is just going to come and say, yes that is how it’s supposed to happen. You’re supposed to have sex with a man and not with a woman,” Fleming said.
The Mayor of the Mahikeng Local Municipality, Tshepiso Mphehlo, said the municipality will ensure that all residents enjoy their human rights, including members of the LGBTIQA+ community.
“This is part of our initiative as the ANC-led government to be a representative of all the people in South Africa, irrespective of colour, sex, and creed. That is why we are here to celebrate the community of LGBTIQA+ to say that they are part of our community. We will offer them all the support they need,” Mphehlo said.
The aim of the march was to raise awareness for the LGBTQI-plus communities to be accepted by the general public and to freely exercise their freedom, without any fears or prejudice.
