IMAGES: Noxolo Nogwaza Funeral on Facebook
The South African government announced that it will establish a task force to address the escalating incidents of anti-LGBT attacks in its nation—most recently the brutal gang "corrective rape" and murder of a young lesbian near Johannesburg last month.
The announcement came after a parliamentary meeting involving senior officials from the country's law enforcement, legal and social program departments.
More than 170,000 people from all around the world signed a petition calling for the South African government to act after Noxolo Nogwaza, a 24-year-old lesbian, was gang raped, stoned and stabbed to death using shards of broken glass nearly two weeks ago. The petition was sponsored by Change.org, a global human rights campaigning website.
The new task force will tackle issues such as whether crimes against the homosexual and transgender community should be considered hate crimes, whether a rape motivated by sexual orientation should receive a harsher sentence and increased sensitivity training for police, social workers and judiciary officials. The team is scheduled to begin work in July.
Despite being the only African nation where same-sex marriage is legal—and boasting perhaps the world's only constitution where equality in sexual orientation is specified—the reality is much different for many Black South Africans. Life in the impoverished townships is far less tolerant. South Africa has the highest rates of rape in the world. So-called "corrective rape" attacks are said to be "on the increase" against lesbians in the townships, where rape and attacks against black gay men have also risen dramatically.
The practice of so-called "corrective rape" became a household word by the 2008 rape and muder of female footballer and gay rights activist Eudy Simelane—who was killed in the exact same township Nogwaza would later be killed. Four men were initially charged with the attack. Two were acquitted, one is serving a life sentence and another is imprisoned for 22 years. Prosecutors denied that Simelane's sexuality had been a motive.
South Africa boasts an estimated 5.7 million HIV positive persons—more than any other nation in the world. The rape of lesbians, gay men and transgender women also acts to spread the virus.
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Just toooo painful! Thanks for keeping us on top of these kinds of news Rod.
Posted by: Brien | 06 May 2011 at 07:56
One measly comment pertaining to something as serious as this? LMAO at Black Unity/Black Power at its current state.
Posted by: Kevin Perez | 06 May 2011 at 09:49
Awful. Hopefully with a task force things will improve.
Posted by: Kevin | 06 May 2011 at 12:00
I think we are all in agreement about the incredible courage of African Gay people. Their bravery is astounding. To be in danger of savage beatings, vicious rape, mutilation and tortured to death just for being what you are.
It reminds me of what Black Americans faced in the decades after Reconstruction when simply being seen at the wrong place and the wrong time could result in something similar happening to them as what happened to brave Ms Nogwaza.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 06 May 2011 at 13:49
At that same moment one sister was beaten another walked out on a family refusing to allow their own family to be gay and love whomever she or he wanted to love. At that same moment one sister was killed another sister refused to hide her true self, dressed the way she really wanted to and wore that baseball cap, sagging pants and a t-shirt. At that same moment they raped, beat and killed her a crowd like no other will gather in cities across the planet partying in the name of pride and wearing all types of rainbow flag gear because this is the thing to do. This same moment a young person decides to tell someone, open up to someone, go to a place a place that cost the life of that same someone feeling beat down and killed over love...I'll still see you my sister in the eyes that fill those pride events, those hot cities, those same moments.
Posted by: Troy | 06 May 2011 at 14:22
Heart wrenching.
Posted by: Honut Sinti | 06 May 2011 at 20:16