SOUTH AFRICA AGAIN VOTES AGAINST GAYS IN UN
The South African government has once again shamefully voted in the United Nations against protecting LGBT people.
On Tuesday, African countries led a move to remove a reference to sexual orientation from a resolution on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions in the United Nations General Assembly.
The resolution urges states to protect the right to life of all people, including by calling on states to investigate killings based on discriminatory grounds.
For the past 10 years, the resolution had included sexual orientation in the list of discriminatory grounds on which killings are often based, but this was changed this week.
The amendment removing the reference to sexual orientation was sponsored by Benin on behalf of the African Group.
South Africa joined other African and Middle Eastern countries – many of which actively oppress LGBT people – in supporting the move. The amendment was adopted with 79 votes in favour, 70 against, 17 abstentions and 26 absent.
“This vote is a dangerous and disturbing development,” said Cary Alan Johnson, Executive Director of The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission.
“It essentially removes the important recognition of the particular vulnerability faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people – a recognition that is crucial at a time when 76 countries around the world criminalise homosexuality, five consider it a capital crime, and countries like Uganda are considering adding the death penalty to their laws criminalising homosexuality.”
South Africa has an appalling history of backing African nations in the UN even when this conflicts with its own constitution and domestic policies.
In June this year, South Africa was slammed for objecting to the inclusion of discrimination against LGBT people in a report on racism and intolerance by the United Nations Human Rights Council.
In December 2008, South Africa also refused to sign a symbolic UN declaration which called for the decriminalisation of homosexuality, despite the country’s constitution that specifically outlaws discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
….. I don’t whether to laugh, cry, shout, or just shrug, pack my bags and leave. How disgusting that SA votes against protecting its LGBT citizens. We pay tax. We abide by the laws (mostly,lol!). We want nothing more or less than an average citizen; partner, beautiful home, friends, and to live our lives in peace. Why can’t you thick numbskull twats in suits realise this? My tax money pays for your lavish lifestyle and what do I get in return? So get your fat heads out of your asses and step into the 21st century. Your degenerate way of thinking will always keep Africa in its cesspool of disease and waste ….
Disgraceful. Bunch of Hipocrites
And as per usual, we will whine and complain and mutter at our dinner parties – and do nothing about us. We are too flippen scared to stand up and shout our frustration out, and too scared to openly, publicly and vigorously make our displeasure felt.
NOW do all of the pride naysayers see why attendance at pride is so important? When will it become clear that unless we are vocal, visible and active in defending our rights, that we might very well lose them?
….. You are absolutely right! Pride is important in getting our message heard! I don’t think we’re scared but we are a small minority. We have no back up, no support. No politician will openly support and fight for LGBT rights. No celebrity (unless gay themselves) will support us either. No church will. No company will (unless they can make money from it). No newspaper will. No community leader will.
We stand alone (but together) in our battle for equality. I fear that we can have all the Pride marches we want but as long as we have dumb and ignorant politicians in power our equality is in increasing danger. And we all know that in Africa, politicians like to stay in power for a very long time …. !
I agree that we have quite a fight on our hands, but we do have support out there. Let’s just hope that they have the backbone to state their support publicly.
pride. Attending a 94.7 roadshow, alius pride, will do nothing to alter our situation.
put the gay back in pride- .
Where are the guest speakers opening gay pride.
We used to have the likes of Edwin Cameron, Sir Anthony Sher, Cheryl Carolus Simon Nkoli. Inspirational people who could motivate .
Where is our personal gay pride.
We live in an age where our politicians do not have a basic understanding of our constitution and their legal responsibility to promote that , whatever their personal views.
It is not just Africa, the right wing Tea Party is making huge strides in the States. We will wake up one day wondering what happened to our so called rights if we do not revert to some form of activism.
Shame South Africa. The moral high ground has long since vanished.
Cry our beloved country. And screw this government
Shame on sa’s UN representatives!!!. What hiprocrasy is this!
Our poeple are being brutalised&treat less than humans for being true to themselves!
SA to be SA fought against oppression,now the very SA is failing to stand it’s grounds against oppression of sexual diversity!
Our constitution is very clear that no harm/oppression to come to any human being on grounds of sexual orientation!What fools are representing SA on the UN&goverment levels?….
Sies!
Now what powers have we got of citizens of SA&fellow brothers&sisters in other countries to make our voices head?….
Any ideas folks?…..
Custom each person, That internet page can be outstanding as a result is how the difficulty appeared to be enhanced. I find nice a portion of the comments in addition while We would rather have people have the idea along problem if you would like increase the value of the niche.