As a way to ensure that the LGBTQI+ community is included in the drive for equality, the City of Johannesburg officially launched the Soweto Pride on Thursday, 9 September.
The launch follows the signing of an official memorandum of understanding between pride organisations and the City of Johannesburg.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Group Corporate and Shared Services, Loyiso Masuku, said the City of Johannesburg was creating a safe space for the LGBTQI+ community.
“In our endeavour to confront homophobia and discrimination experienced by the queer community, the City of Johannesburg is very clear on the stance of showing that our voice is heard but most importantly citizens of Johannesburg that belong to the queer community never feel ostracised and never feel like they are less citizens of this great city.
“We are all people with equal rights as enshrined in the constitution and the bill of rights,” said Masuku.
The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development in the City of Johannesburg, Eunice Mgcina, said gender-based violence (GBV) had greatly impacted the country and city, and was affecting every aspect of daily lives.
“This pandemic is deeply entrenched in institutions, cultures and the LGBTQI+ community. GBV in the LGBTQI+ community is exacerbated by cultural and religious stereotypes and perpetuates negative attitudes in society,” she said.
Mgcina said the country and city must bury their heads in shame as GBV incidents were happening although our constitution was one of the first in the world to protect people from discrimination because of their sexual orientations.
“Therefore as a starting point we as the city believe that more needs to be done to eradicate these crimes and this launch is one of such efforts.”
Mgcina said the City has initiated a process of developing the terms of reference for the establishment of a LGBTQI+ community committee with the intention of setting up a desk responsible for LGBTQI+ related matters. This was over and above our efforts to continue raising awareness of their vulnerability.
