The Port Elizabeth Gay Marriage Story
After an immediate reaction by the EC LGBTI Organisation to this story, Home Affairs apologised to the couple it refused to perform a civil union for and the online queer press was quick to spread the news:
QueerLife published the organisation's original press release, plus a follow-up after the apology. These stories were also mirrored by I Am Gay, as well as the Durban Pride website. Thanks for the support guys!
East London's Daily Dispatch, 16 May 2011
SAD REALITY: Members of the Eastern Cape Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Organisation, protest against 'corrective rape' at East London's beachfront. (Picture by Xolisa Mgwatyu)
Stand against 'corrective rape' by Vuvu Vena
"STOP! Stop! It is enough" read posters held by a group of some 40 protesters at East London's beachfront yesterday in a stand against 'corrective rape.'
The predominately female group was made up of members from the Eastern Cape Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Organisation (LGBTI) holding placards displaying such messages as "God is an equal opportunity lover, spare my life, real men don't rape," and "Next it could be your daughter, brother or sister."
"Today we are protesting against the latest rise in rape," said Eastern Cape LGBTI chairperson Zama Mzimela.
"Rape won't change our orientation," she said.
The group had drawn up a memorandum to be handed to police which consisted of only one demand: "We demand that government and civil society speed up the formation of the hate crimes task team, to take immediate action. We need action and ultimately a change in our society."
In their statement, LGBTI noted three instances of corrective rape that had occurred nationally in the past three weeks.
In Durban they highlighted the rape and assault of Nqobile Khumalo, who was choked to death because she was a lesbian.
They also cited the rape of a 13 year old in Pretoria last week and the rape and murder of Noxola Nogwaza, a 24 year old lesbian, outside Johannesburg at the beginning of May.
East London cluster commander Major-General Sandile Hloba was present to accept the organisation's memorandum on behalf of the police.
vuyiswav@dispatch.co.za
