Remnants of the Struggle on Human Rights Day

In South Africa today, it is Human Rights Day. The below picture was taken right off Main Road by Groote Schuur Hospital, a remnant of the struggle to end Apartheid here.

Since so many human rights abuses took place during Apartheid, this holiday is meant to "ensure that the people of South Africa are aware of their human rights and to ensure that such abuses never occur again." It also commemorates a large protest at Sharpeville in 1960, where 69 people were killed by the police while protesting the government mandated pass books. The event also lead to the banning of black political organizations.

Indeed, South Africa has come a long way in that regard. But it isn't enough! Despite their very inclusive constitution, it does little to protect people in most of the country's areas. From my time here, I know that South Africa has way more to do more for women's rights and gay and lesbian rights.

It is interesting to think that class plays such a strong role in 'insulating' LGBT people from homophobic discrimination, but it is certainly true here. There is same-sex marriage, anti-discrimination laws, and a vibrant gay scene in Cape Town (or so I hear). Despite this, it is still taboo to be gay in the townships, so much so that lesbians are being brutally gang raped by men to "correct them." One advocacy group reports they see 10 new cases per week in Cape Town alone. There have been 31 reported cases of murdered lesbians since 1998, and without hate crimes distinctions in this country or an aggressive judicial system, only one conviction has been made. See this article.

Last April, South Africa's only out lesbian football player, Eudy Simelane, was gang raped by five men and stabbed in the face, chest, and legs 25 times.... left to die in a creek. As a gay man, that type of hate makes me sick to my stomach. There is so much that needs to be done here. That's not even mentioning how far they have to go in the rights of women and gender relations.

Happy Human Rights Day.