3 Men on Trial for Murder and Rape of Lesbian South African Footballer

The trial of three men accused of the brutal murder and gang-rape of lesbian Eudy Simelane, the lesbian international South African soccer star, begins in Johannesburg.

"In other countries the 29-year-old who rose through the ranks to become captain of the women's national football team would have been feted as a star. In South Africa it cost her her life. The top striker, who was gay, was set upon by a gang of thugs, gang-raped and stabbed 25 times. Her sexuality and supposedly butch looks were a death sentence in a country in which the sport is still considered a man's game by many.

"Today, the trial of three men accused of her murder in April 2008 goes ahead after being delayed last month when a fourth man who had agreed to be a witness for the prosecution withdrew his statements at the last moment. For the gay community it is a landmark moment. In South Africa's sprawling black townships Ms Simelane was the most famous victim of an increasing trend in anti-gay violence. There, lesbians live in fear. At least 20 women have been killed in the past five years. They are often victims of a phenomenon known as "corrective rape" -- the rape of a lesbian by a man either to punish her or cure and correct her sexual orientation."

Despite the nationwide outrage after questions were raised about the gender of athletics World Athletics gold medalist Caster Semenya, much of traditional South African society remains deeply patriarchal and very homophobic. South Africa has one of the most liberal constitutions in the world and is the only African nation where same-sex marriage is legal. But the reality is much different for many black South Africans and life in the impoverished townships often proves far less tolerant.

South Africa has one of the highest incidences of rape in the world. "Corrective rape" attacks are said to be "on the increase as gay women suffered a backlash from men feeling that traditional male dominance was at risk." South African lesbian activist Phumi Mtetwa tells the Telegraph that lesbians were not even safe at a recent pre-trial hearing: "Lesbians who had attended the hearing were threatened by young men saying that "no matter what transpires in court, we are going to eliminate lesbians and gays." Rape and attacks against black gay men has also risen dramatically.

Three on Trial for Murder of Gay Football Star [IE]
Three Face Trial for Rape and Murder [Telegraph]

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Comments

[Kevin Perez]

I'm not exactly shocked or suprised any more. It's pretty predictable and you know what's expected when we hear about LGBT subjects in South Africa (and Africa in general)

I wonder if the dumbasses that keep insiting that being gay is choice or its a lifestyle (many Black KKKristans claim to have gay friends but don't approve/believe in the "lifestyle") and claim that people bring this type of BS on themselves have to say about these violent crimes being commited against Black LGBT OUTSIDE the USA.

Oh, I forgot, being gay and Black is exclusive, there for they're just "ghey" and not part of the diaspora/community and not one of "us".

[J. Fox]

Terrible.

[Isis]

These stories are becoming much to common. I will continue to pray for a better day, but I must admit sometimes I feel it in vain.

[Chris Cruz]

Only TWO comments on this story?
That is another tragedy!

I feel so sorry for my black LGBT brothers and sisters in South Africa. Their existence in the townships is an escalation of the reality in the hoods here...gay rights might be the law but there is a separate and distinct "law of the streets."

Prayers

[Ravenback]

Such a tragic story. My heart goes out to all my LGBT brothers and sisters in South Africa and all around the world who have to deal with such hate and violence.

I hope that the LGBT community in South Africa have the fortitude to tough it out. Because that's exactly what they will have to do. The situation will probably get worse before it gets better. The only way things can improve faster is if the world community treats LGBT rights the same as other human rights violations. Let me scratch that. The world doesn't do anything about human rights. The UN just pays lip service, and the countries view their relations with each other based on greed. Unfortunately, people are too often on their own -- especially LGBT folks.

[alicia banks]

shame!!!

gold & champs trump gaybashing
that is the ONLY reason cs was given a pass...

shame how ONLY you keep us informed rod

you rule all pan-african media!

thank you for your toil as you rule the net my dear warrior bro

love
ab

[alicia banks]

i just linked you rod

thanks!!!
ab

[Jaganat]

It is so sad that ignorance bred in grotesque poverty usually involves such vicious cruelty. Could the torture and murder of this Sister also have to do with her financial success-- i.e., "who does this Dyke think she is making more money than us while we wallow in Township hell"?? This was an attack on Same-Gender Love and Womanhood, and its message was that Lesbian financial success, meaning Lesbian power, would not be tolerated by impoverished, envious, misogynistic black men living degrading, impossible lives. Male dominance, in this case, may also mean male financial superiority.

Impoverished South African black men have not always hated Lesbians. (Obviously, most of them don't today.) Many such men, when they belonged to struggles against Apartheid-- when they lived meaningful lives-- supported the Equality of Lesbians and Gays. In addition to legalizing its centuries long tradition of same-gender marriage, South Africa was the First county in the World to grant civil equality to LGBT people in their Constitution. (We don't even have that here in America.) This Constitution was created by the African National Congress during the anti-Apartheid struggle, made up mostly of impoverished black women and men who had to suffer Township hell.

As a optimistic reminder that poor "heterosexual" Africans have defended LGBT rights when they belonged to hopeful, meaningful and honest struggles against socio-economic Injustice, see the following Wiki article on LGBT rights in South Africa. I pray such a movement rises in South Africa again, this time against the Rich. If Africa can give birth to the first documented case of National LGBT Civil Equality in the World, Africa can escape the Scourge of anti-Female, anti-LGBT violence, as well as all violence excaserbated by poverty often exploited by demagogues and fundamentalists (as in the U.S.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_South_Africa

Thank you Rod for an important piece.

[Connie]

SA is very exemplar when it come to LGBT rights, etc. but i'm afraid it's just all good on paper... in reality ignorance is the biggest hurdle and still very rife here.

it saddens me that i wake up in a country where some people entertain the belief that if you sleep with a virgin (even if it's a 2 month old baby girl) you'll be cured from HIV/AIDS. not kidding!

we have a long way to go but i look forward to the journey. a lil' more patience, tolerance and understanding is all we need...