In January, global human rights organisation Human Rights Watch wrote to the South African government about killings and assaults on LGBTI people “in circumstances that suggest their sexual orientation or identity was the reason that they were targeted.”Īt least 20 LGBTI people in South Africa were victims of hate-inspired murders last year. Yet even there, violence against LGBTQ people remains common. South Africa is the only African country that has legalized same-sex marriage, and its constitution protects against anti-LGBTQ discrimination. Many LGBTQ Africans are subject to stigma and abuse, facing unemployment, homelessness and estrangement from their families.
Homosexual activity remains outlawed in more than 30 of Africa’s 54 countries in a few, it is punishable by death. That is the freedom we have and celebrate in South Africa today.” See: 1:46 of his speech here. And they are able to adopt children and even inherit children from their partners. Speaking at a Freedom Day celebration in Mpumalanga, Ramaphosa said, “Today in a free South Africa, those that want to practice same-sex marriages can do so. South African President, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa has praised South Africa for creating a conducive environment for homosexuals to practice same-sex marriages and partnerships.įrom the African Human Rights Media Network
