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VICTIMS OF ‘HATE CRIME’ REMEMBERED

18/05/2015 08:16:00 BY NOSIPHO SHONGWE

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MANZINI – A moment of silence was observed for those murdered for their sexual orientation during the commemoration of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia.

Kayla Glover, Themba Zwane and Floyd Mhlongo were all violently killed for their sexual orientation and their memory was vivid as their peers and friends celebrated the day themed ‘Fighting Against Hate Crime’.
The event was held at The Vibe near Ngwane Park.

Attention

Director of Rock of Hope Xolile Mabuza said the international day was launched in 2004 and it was put in place to draw attention to legislators and the public to the violent discrimination experienced by the lesbian, gay and bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community.
He said this was the third year the international event was commemorated in the country.
He further explained that a new trend of transgender members of society were also being violated for changing from being female to male and vice versa.

Commemorated

“Worldwide this day is commemorated and awareness is heightened on the plight of this community,” Mabuza said.
He revealed that the organisation carried out a study which revealed that Manzini region had the highest number of LGBTs, followed by Hhohho.

“The other regions are also slowly coming out of the shadows and we embarked on the study in order to keep a database of members of the community and also to be able to stay in contact with them to prevent hardships as well as peer education,” Mabuza said.
“As much as I respect culture, religion as well as tradition, they cannot justify the denial of rights for the LGBT community.

Challenges

“We need a holistic approach on challenges of accessing health services as they always insist on treating us as individuals as opposed to couples,” he continued.
Mabuza explained that Rock of hope was not an association but an organisation that welcomed all those who were stigmatised for their sexual orientation as well as those who felt rejected by communities through their trade such as prostitutes.