Someone on Facebook made a comment to me yesterday that our support/initiating a gay rights resolution to the HRC is “stupid, we should rather have spent that time and money solving problems in-house”, but I feel like the US and the UK are doing with their comments on aid, that doing something is better than nothing.

Lance this is where I would appreciate your feedback, don’t you feel that we should let governments fight it out on the international stage, like they are doing now, and the likes if you and I who are passionate about the matter should fight on the local stage?

Yesterday during the gay rights discussion at the HRC it was said more than once that law, structures and any sort of political initiative isn’t even half the battle, changing the hearts and minds of the people is the final and most important phase of change. Shouldn’t we focus on changing the hearts and minds of South Africans, and ultimately African people? Let politicians fight the big battles, let them talk aid and laws, thats what they are there for, but let the average man go out and change minds and hearts, only then will politicians truly be empowered to make those big changed truly affective?

Thanks Cobus. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that LGBTI human rights groups/NGOs have there place, but in order to achieve sustainable long term changes we need buy-in from all sectors – especially governments. All LGBTI people can make a difference in their own community. No matter how small, it all helps to building and inclusive society.

Thanks for the response!

As a vocal supportrer of gay rights in PE, I agree in principle on the issue and esp Cobus on changing hearts and minds of those around you. My only concern is a potential backlash on our communities in those countries. If you look at the equality battles throuighout the world things got really bad before they got better. Look in the American South, Stonewall and Apartheid SA. The fact is that the African perception of being gay is given credibility by the radical church leaders who sprout hatred instead of the Biblical intension of love and inclusivity. The potential backlash in these less than tolerant and educated societies could be extreme. My heart goes out to our brothers and sisters in those countires. We dont know just how lucky we are.