Beginnings…
Five men appeared in South African court this week for their alleged role in the murder of lesbian soccer player Eudy Simelane. One of the men, who had been seen with Simelane earlier in the night, said he has a confession, but has yet to give it up. Activist Vanessa Ludwig of the Triangle Project lamented Simelane’s death, but also looked at the larger picture: “Black lesbians are still marginalized and victimized by heterosexual men who claim exclusive rights to women’s bodies.Our fight and activism to eradicate homophobia and prejudice from society has only just begun!” [Mamba]
I think it is important that we realize, regarding this issue, that we are looking at the intersection of sexuality and gender. These heterosexual men believe they have a RIGHT to ALL women’s bodies — including a lesbians. That a woman HAS NO RIGHT to close him off from HER BODY.
These rapes and murder have to be viewed within their larger context of misogyny and sexism in conjunction with homosexuality in order to really see and understand the plight of our sisters in SA.
Step in the right direction surely!! And I second your comment SF!
The lawlessness in South Africa is simply out of control.
While lesbians and other minorities (including illegal immigrants) are particularly vunerable, crime affects everyone in the world’s murder, robbery, and rape capital.
South Africa’s own ambassador to the United Nations was mugged at gunpoint on his way home from the airport in Johannesburg. An MP was shot dead while walking a few blocks away from Parliament. Foreign diplomats from Nigeria and Vietnam have been kidnapped in broad daylight. Child abuse and rape is epidemic in the townships.
There’s a reason why gay Africans would rather stay in Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia than move to “free and liberal” South Africa. Oppressive anti-gay laws are still preferable to suffering through horrific, violent death.
best site of its kind :-)