29 May 2020 – In the spirit of unity for IDAHOBIT 2020, Pan Africa ILGA and Iranti have collaborated to “Break the Silence.” In line with this year’s theme of IDAHOBIT, it has become increasingly important to break the silence around human rights violations occurring to LGBTQI+ persons on the continent. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the already dire conditions faced by queer persons on the continent. Anti-LGBTIQ+ governments have used the pandemic as a destructive tool to further persecute queer persons through orchestrated raids and arrests under the guise of COVID-19 prevention protocols. 

We would like to extend our support to those who have been forced by social-distancing measures into confined spaces with homophobic family members or into homophobic communities without support. This has had a devastating effect on the mental health of some and has escalated the possibility of danger and outings. Intimate partner violence has increased dramatically, whilst states have not been clear on the measures set in place to assist persons who are experiencing domestic abuse during this time. Shelters are not only overburdened, but there are few shelters that either cater specifically to the LGBTQI+ community or are sensitive to the needs of LGBTQI+ persons.

The pandemic is quite an unprecedented event that has not only cast a glaring light on the socio-economic disparities but threatens to further entrench these pre-existing conditions. It brings to the fore ways in which black, brown and indigenous peoples, gender-diverse persons, poor and working-class persons are marginalised in today’s society. The focus on the pandemic has not obscured the institutionalised violence that people marginalised based on racial, class and gender markers face on the daily. 

In the face of continuing oppression, discrimination and prejudice exacerbated by this global pandemic one is wont to ask what is to be done? What are the ways society can collectively ensure that the discrimination against LGBTQI persons comes to a stop, that LGBTQI+ persons are recognised as individuals who have the right to self-determine and freely express themselves? How can we change the problematic cultural, religious and institutionalised perceptions and practices that deem LGBTQI+ persons unworthy of enjoying the full spectrum of human rights? 

Although this may seem like a question whose answer is illusive, and the task of ensuring that LGBTQI+ persons live lives free of stigma and discrimination may seem a mammoth one, there are plenty of things that we can do individually and collectively to ensure that we support queer people and from our small but consistent efforts begin to fashion a society free of discrimination, bigotry, sexism, racism and prejudice. One such effort is rootedness in empathy. Being empathetic to the plight of LGBTQI+ persons is important in that it lets members of the queer community feel seen and hence valued. Starting from a place of empathy helps us treat others with the same level of dignity and respect we believe we deserve. It propels us to afford others the same freedoms and liberties we ourselves desire. 

Individual empathy alone will not change the current homophobic landscape, however. Long lasting change requires consistent political action from civil society, non-governmental and community-based organisations, activists, human rights defenders, allies, family, friends and relatives of queer persons. It requires that we constantly critique structures that feed us a heteronormative rhetoric and effectively sanction the discrimination of LGBTQI persons. It requires that we be bold in the face of injustice, that we intervene when we witness violations occurring. It requires that we break the silence.   For media inquires contact Rumana Akoob – rumana@iranti.org.za | 0780366832