Five men have been arrested for allegedly raping and murdering South African soccer lesbian Eudy Simelane. This murder comes after a long line of anti-lesbian murders in recent years, lending even more credence to activists’ worries: the most progressive African nation has done little to fight for the lavender set. [Mamba]
Foul.
Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...
We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?
Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated
SeaFlood
See, that’s what I had figured upon when I heard about lesbians being killed. And so, South Africa will commit the sin America committed… this time, homosexuality rather than race (you know… since the lesbians I have heard about being murdered over there are “black”).
Honestly, strangely, it makes me want to check out the South African scene that much more badly!
Shabaka
Yeah South Africa may be the most progressive country in Africa-and truth be told, amongst the most progressive in the “developed” world-but it’s got a long way to go as far as its judicial system goes!! I’ve always wanted to visit and it isn’t that far from my native country but for some reason I feel like I’d be visiting some west Indian nation and the thought of my dismembered body being found off the shore of the Atlantic makes my skin crawl!
RIP, dear Eudy Simelane!
Andy
We South Africans have the world’s best constitution as far as LGBT rights are concerned, but the practical implications haven’t filtered through to the general population of the country yet. The only people who really benefit are wealthy middle-class types who can afford to take rights issues to court. Largely to blame for this are the country’s very wussy gay rights organizations, and the even wussier gay press (exclusively confined to covering fashion shoots and drag shows, and making lots of coy nudge-nudge wink-wink remarks).
It is ironic that black people in the country, having only recently emerged from abominable oppression themselves, should be so hostile to queer people, especially lesbians.
SeaFlood
@ Andy: I think it would of benefit to expand our thinking on this a little more. The issues at hand are not merely about being gay/queer, but being a woman. Please glimpse what activist Vanessa Ludwig said, “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!†(http://www.queerty.com/beginnings-20080507/)