OUT LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO ALERT GAY MEN OF DANGERS OF CASUAL SEX DATES
OUT, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) health and well-being group in Pretoria, has launched a campaign to alert men who have sex with men (MSM) about the dangers of casual sex dates with strangers.
The campaign has been launched in response to the murder of at least seven gay men over the past two years in the Gauteng region.
The killings remain unsolved and they share striking similarities in that the men were all murdered in private homes and little or nothing was stolen. There is some suspicion that at least some of the men may have met their attackers through online dating sites.
“Sex between men has long been frowned upon by our society,” explains OUT Director Dawie Nel. “That’s led many gay, bi and other MSM to keep their sexual relations hidden from sight, hence the growth of online dating within the gay community. And there’s no doubt that there is some element of excitement in the unknown.”
“However,” adds Nel, “people need to be aware that there is a risk in meeting strangers and especially when inviting them into their homes. These risks include the possibility of being blackmailed, being targeted with false charges, theft and even being murdered”
The campaign consists of articles that will be published in gay media, web banners, venue posters and other communication aimed at the LGBT community, highlighting the risks of casual sex dates.
“We fear that someone is preying on gay men and the authorities appear unwilling to acknowledge this.”
Tips include: first meeting a date in a public place; making sure someone knows when you go out to meet a date; being wary of inviting strangers to your home; avoiding people who are deceitful and ask for financial support; and, if you meet someone at a club, introducing him to a friend before leaving with the date.
Nel expressed his concern at the apparent limited success of the police in investigating the murders and said that OUT is in discussion with pro-bono lawyers in a bid to pressure the authorities to take action.
“There is a perception that there is a lack of interest in the cases, in part due to the sexual orientation of the victims. Added to this, the investigating officers may have limited knowledge or awareness of the LGBT community and online dating,” said Nel. “We fear that someone is preying on gay men and the authorities appear unwilling to acknowledge this.”
To-date, gay lifestyle website Mambaonline.com, dating site MeetMarket.com and the LGBT newspaper Exit have committed to taking part in the campaign, but other LGBT media are being approached to be included.
The most recent murder was of 39-year-old HIV/Aids activist and television presenter Jason Wessenaar, who was stabbed in the neck seven times in his Pretoria West home on 18 December 2011.
The murder spree began with Manolis Veloudos, who was killed in April 2010. He was followed by Jim Cathels in Berea in December 2010, Oscar O’Hara (33) in May 2011, a 47-year-old un-named landlord in Northcliff in August 2011, Siphiwe Selby Nhlapo (36) in Soweto in September 2011, and Barney van Heerden (39) in Orange Grove, also in September 2011.
Despite the similarities in the crimes, the police have rejected the theory that the same killer or killers are involved. No suspects have yet been arrested.
OUT provides numerous health and well-being services to the LGBT community, including counselling, support groups, HIV testing and general medical services as well as the provision of ARVs and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) though the Health4Men at OUT clinic.
This will be a Great initiative to Give awareness through alerting the Gay and lesbian community to Do Safe Hookups, make Sure they always have Someone looking up for them when doing hookups and Safety tips should Be given and Gays must Advice each other about Safe online dating and hookups.
The killer is a black man age 36, me and my bf knows him well. He lives in Orange Grove and openly tells others how he kills.
Sipho, if you have any information about this please e-mail info@mambaonline.com.
Why are you not saying anything? Seven people have been killed and you sit there saying you know the killer and do nothing about it?? WTF!
Why are you not saying anything? Seven people have been killed and you sit there saying you know the killer and do nothing about it?? WTF!
So, Sipho? Have you phoned the SAPS anonymous helpline?
Or are you just some sick bullshitter getting your rocks off by writing rubbish here?
I suggest Mamba has a DUTY to report your letter to SAPS to trace your PC ID to interview you as part of their investigation.
Yho thats heartbreaking,the r people who kill other its strange lets bring bck the spirit of uBUNTU plz…its enough
Sipho, I am sure your knowledgeable of what happend within these killings.
Indeed Mamba does have a duty to look unto you, and your PC ID, cuz the media at large is saying ‘sipho’ is the guy that seems to be the last person these guys connect with before they die.
Sipho, surely as a gay man it is your duty to report this to the police, or do you get your rocks off in knowing the person that is doing this
And then Sipho have you reported this matter to the cops? I just find it strange that you can boast about knowing the killer and you do nothing about it. Shame on you!
All said an done,responsibility needs to begin with me,gay men and women need to take responsibility for whom they invite into their homes,if u are not sure about the person,please do not be tempted to take him to your place,avoid at all costs to satisfy lust cause it may be your last day to live,take time to know him or atleast do background search or ask a friend to take a picture or send his cell numbers to a friend.Let us learn to be responsible adults and stop blaming the useless police for doing nothing.Since when was a hate crime taken seriously by the police?