Press Release: 16 September 2009

Triangle Project has facilitated numerous discussions and processes around Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) persons’ rights to citizenship during the run-up to the national elections in April 2009. Political parties, religious and cultural pressure groups were calling for an amendment to the South African Constitution which would seriously threaten women’s and LGBTI human rights in this country. The questions around constitutional rights, the guarantee of equality before the law irrespective of our differences and human dignity were fundamental to these discussions.

Public debates and sentiments around the Caster Semenya gender-testing debacle; the escalating heterosexist violence against black lesbian women; the travesty of justice displayed in our criminal justice system in homophobic trials; President Jacob Zuma entertaining calls from the “new God squad” who are pushing for the abolishment of Abortion Laws and the Civil Union Act and which is gaining ground in the African National Congress (ANC); and the recent removal of over 700 Out In Africa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival posters in and around Cape Town, have all raised levels of deep concern, outrage and indignation at Triangle Project, who is the Co-ordinating Organisation of the Western Cape 070707 End Hate Alliance.

We deplore the behavior of individuals / groups for the removal of the posters advertising the film festival which advocates for reducing prejudice, discrimination and harmful stereotypes of LGBTI persons. The behavior of those who removed the posters is a reflection of the uninformed and misinformed attitudes which perpetuate heterosexist values which feed gender stereotypes and violence. We support the calls from Out In Africa and other LGBTI & gender focused organizations for the South African Police Services to investigate this as a matter of urgency and we re-commit ourselves to working towards eradicating society of harmful discriminatory behavior, prejudice and violence towards the LGBTI community.

We further call on all South Africans to work towards strengthening our constitution and the values it subscribes to. We call on fundamentalist religious and cultural groups who continue to marginalize and victimize sexual minorities in the name of God and continue to cause division in our society, to stop feeding into the socio-political tensions around race, sex, gender inequality and sexual diversity. We further call on the State to remain accountable to all its citizens and engage with gender, LGBTI focused organizations and human rights activists / defenders to make the Bill of Rights a lived reality for all and to narrow the disparity between constitutional rights and our lived realities.

Triangle Project is a human rights NPO advocating for the human rights and dignity of LGBTI persons, working towards eradicating society of harmful stereotypes, discrimination and prejudice – and bringing an end to all forms of heterosexist violence and homophobia.

Marlow Valentine
Deputy Director – Triangle Project
Challenging Homophobia, Appreciating Sexual Diversity
Physical Address: Unit 29 Waverley Business Park, Dane Street, Mowbray 7700
Postal Address: PO Box 13935, Mowbray, 7705
Tel 021 4483812
Fax 021 4484089
0836685935

Email marlow@triangle.org.za
Website www.triangle.org.za