Gauteng Social Department celebrates Pride Month in Thembisa
The dialogue welcomed families, friends, partners and NPOs, including the Thato One Big Family, to address challenges facing the queer community.
The Gauteng Department of Social Development (DSD) organised a Provincial Rainbow Dialogue for the LGBTIQA+ community at the Moses Molelekwa Art Centre in Thembisa on October 24.
This event was held as part of Pride Month celebrations, observed annually in October to promote diversity and equality within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) community.
The dialogue welcomed families, friends, partners and NPOs, including the Thato One Big Family, to address challenges facing the queer community and raise awareness about the department’s programmes.
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Estelle Otto, a social work policy developer under the Social Crime Prevention and Victim Empowerment Programme, highlighted the ongoing struggles facing the LGBTIQA+ community.
“People in the LGBTIQA+ sector continue to experience discrimination, societal prejudice and even fatal violence each year,” Otto stated.
“Some face rejection by their families due to their sexual orientation, while others endure mental health challenges from a young age into adulthood.
”As part of the GBV Unit, we are committed to preventing hate crimes.”
Pearl Maobelo said the collaborative efforts with stakeholders, including the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, aimed to promote awareness programmes that foster tolerance.
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“The Gauteng DSD, under the legislative framework, is progressing, though challenges remain. We appreciate the honesty and engagement from the queer community and hope to continue these dialogues on larger platforms,” Maobelo said.
The key resolutions from the group discussions were the need for society to learn to accept and support the LGBTIQA+ community and that parents should move beyond denial and give their children the necessary support.
During the 2023/24 financial year, the department supported 1 125 LGBTIQA+ beneficiaries with psychosocial support services.
