“Queer people are not impatient, they are frustrated.” – Lentsu Nchabeleng

As International Pride Month and Youth Month come to an end, the spotlight is on the work that has been done to move the LGBTQIA+ agenda forward. Iranti is a Johannesburg-based human rights organization that advocates for advancing the rights of the LGBTI people in Africa. They organized a media meet-and-greet to showcase their work so far, create a safe space for conversations, and share their upcoming projects and collaborations in the remainder of 2024.

The media meet-and-greet was not only limited to the conference room and projector. Provocative imagery was part of the entrance in the lobby. Irant’s Pride Exhibition, curated by Bonke Sonjani, and introduced attendees to the program even before they stepped into the room. One image that could not be ignored was one of a young female wrapped in red and white barrier tape. In the image, she could be seen struggling to get up on her feet while covered in what seemed like water or petrol. This image had many thinking about the crimes that continue to persist against female bodies, young bodies and black bodies. The exhibition played a significant role in preparing the audience for the insights to be shared in the program.

Iranti’s Media Liaison, Mogau Makitla, led the program and used various breakaway moments to encourage attendees to participate. One of the key items of the program was a presentation by Iranti’s Intersex officer, Peace Maquba, who highlighted the four thematic areas that the organization focuses on. They include Trans advocacy, research and knowledge creation and building strong movements and networks. “We encourage journalists to report to the work being done in the space so that there is awareness,” Maquba said. The presentation gave the audience an in-depth analysis of the work that Iranti has done even outside of the South African borders.

Another highlight of the gathering was the sharing of two video clips put together by the Iranti media team. One video was about the intersex community, particularly the parents of intersex children. It was clear from the video that the parents loved their children as they were born. However, they had difficulty in accepting or even educating family relatives and community members about their children’s birth. “I love my child as they are but it’s hard for me to explain to their reality to other people because we don’t have a term for it in my mother tongue,” said one of the parents in the video. However, there was hope at the end of the emotive video. One of the parents, who was present at the event on the days, sent a strong message of love to the intersex community, in particular. “ I love my children. I love all my intersex children. This is how the Lord has created them. We must love them as they are,” she emphasized.

Towards the end of the program, there was also a panel discussion moderated by Iranti’s Executive Director Lentsu Nchabeleng, who was joined by Kellyn Botha and Luiz de Barros. The discussion unpacked LGBTQ rights in Africa and kicked off with the first pride that happened at Witswatersrand in 1990. Kellyn highlighted that Kenya and South Africa were far more progressive in terms of LGBTQ legislation. “I mean, what’s on paper is different from reality but it’s pretty progressive laws,” Kellyn said. Asked what inclusion of the LGBQA+ community would look like daily in political South Africa, Luiz listed prominent political figures such as Chris Papps of the DA and Steve Letsiki of the ANC. “Politics is patriarchal so most people are not always vocal about their sexuality but those who are make us feel seen, heard and represented,” Luiz said.

Although June is International Pride Month and October is South African Pride Month, such discussions must be kept alive. This is because many people still grapple with various issues surrounding the LGBTQ community, for example, the pronoun issue. Some people still do not understand what it means to misgender an individual or how sex is different from gender. Therefore, the safer the spaces of discussion, the more people will learn. An inclusive society is a progressive society.

[Images shot by Selokela Slu Molamodi]

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About the author:

Selokela Slu Molamodi is the host of Hope Alive Breakfast on Hope Alive Online Radio, DOP at Speakingdom, a qualified facilitator, an Activator, a Generation G champion, and a foodie.