Speaker puts LGBTQIA+ issues upfront
Nthabiseng Tshivhenga said the queer community must not accept being treated like the stepchildren of this country.
The speaker of council in Ekurhuleni, Nthabiseng Tshivhenga, is committed to fighting for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.
She spoke at the first Queer Scamtho in the CoE hosted at Zigzag Cafè in Springs on Saturday.
It was an open dialogue with members of the LGBTQIA+ community in Ekurhuleni to celebrate diversity and champion their rights as individuals.
Tshivhenga said the queer community must not accept being treated like the stepchildren of this country.
“Chapter two of the Constitution is the Bill of Rights, which states no one should be unfairly discriminated against.
“The inclusions are race, gender, sexual orientation and many others,” said Nthabiseng.
She added that every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or preference, needed to be treated with dignity and respect.
According to her, the conversation was the start of a journey where everyone acknowledges there’s legislation and a constitution that protects the rights of the queer community.
“It’s clear something wrong out there, and society refuses to acknowledge that. We need to have this conversation today. We will be on the journey of civic education more than anything else,” she added.
Thando Hlongwane from the Kathorus LGBTQIA+ forum said she felt included in her community.
“After coming out, I took a step to educate everyone that I am lesbian.
“Growing up in a township made me develop a thick skin from a young age. Now and then, the teachers at school would ask me if I was a boy or girl, and I opened up. I am still the same person, but I choose to express my sexuality differently,” she added.
Hlongwane highlighted that politicians did not necessarily care about them but used them when it was convenient for them so that they could achieve their goals.
One person asked the speaker if she had any queer people in her office since she was trying to fight for their rights.
“I am not here to speak on behalf of my party, but I can assure you there are many queer people in my party. I have only been in office for four months, and I found everyone there,” said the speaker.
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