By Daniëlle Gerber
June is LGBTQ Pride Month and the celebration spread to Stellenbosch also. This month is centered on destigmatising the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual) communities through increased visibility and information. Several student bodies on the Stellenbosch campus took part in celebrating Pride to show their alliance in the LGBTQ community’s fight for equality. Powerful allies can be identified as Minerva Residence and the Stellenbosch University Equality Unit. So, what happened this Pride Month in Stellenbosch?
Firstly, Minerva Residence hosted a Pride march starting at the residence, going down Victoria Street to Eikestad Mall, and then down to Plein Street, before returning to the residence. Alaska Lane, a Pride apparel brand, was present to sell pride merchandise, such as different flags and streetwear. Minerva and Alaska Lane also hosted a collaborative giveaway of Alaska Lane products.
The Stellenbosch University Equality unit was also active during Pride month. View their Instagram page @equalityunitsu to see graphics explaining the different LGBTQIA+ flags. The Equality Unit also conducted interviews across campus asking students to share why they think celebrating Pride month is important. These were compiled into two videos shared on their Instagram page. Since then, the Equality Unit has also recently shared contact details for LGBTQIA+ support services.
So, why is Pride so important? Amnesty International explains that members of the LGBTQIA+ community are still being harassed and threatened because of their sexual orientation. Furthermore, legislation in many countries is still homophobic and transphobic. For example, of the 195 countries worldwide, only 31 countries legally allow same-sex marriage.
In South Africa, same-sex marriage has been legal since 2006. South Africa hosted the first Pride march on the African continent in October 1990 that, alongside opposition against apartheid, served to decriminalise homosexuality. Despite this, many habitants of South Africa find the culture to be ‘morally conservative’, ‘hostile’, and ‘profoundly violent’ in displaying homophobia. De Greef, for The Atlantic, explains it as South African law jumping ahead of society and while the constitution is progressive, the culture is not.
The still-exiting discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community is, therefore, a big motivator for student bodies to organise Pride events and spread awareness and education. Considering that Stellenbosch is a hub for the country’s future economic drivers, these events are directly influencing the future culture of South Africa. As June draws to an end, so does Pride month – yet it does not have to restrict active participation in decriminalising the LGBTQIA+ community.
[1] HRC Foundation. Marriage Equality Around the World. [Online: Human Rights Campaign]
[11] Liam Karabo Joyce. History of Pride in South Africa. [Online: IOL]
[111] Kimon de Greef. THE UNFULFILLED PROMISE OF LGBTQ RIGHTS IN SOUTH AFRICA. [Online: The Atlantic]
