As South Africans, our democracy affords us the opportunity to enjoy the freedoms, rights and responsibilities that we have fought hard for. Yet to this day, the LGBTI+ community still fights for their basic human rights which are afforded by the constitution.
The Democratic Alliance believes that the rights of all citizens deserve to be protected, and for every individual to be equal before the law.
For a belief to bear fruits, you must give it action, live it and make it a way of life.
As the Democratic Alliance, we know that to give life to our beliefs we need to start from within, and today we can proudly say that we have created a safe environment for the LGBTI community within our party.
Today, we have public representatives in municipal councils, provincial legislatures and parliament who publicly and unashamedly identify as part of our LGBTIQ+ community. The DA is not just an organisation, a machine without feelings. We are a diverse and caring community, and within our diversity we stand together in our fight for true freedom!
We have been met with stories that remind us that, while we as a community have come so far, much more needs to be done.
Our friends and colleagues through Africa suffer under unjust laws that seek to persecute them just because of who they are. Countries such as Kenya have gone as far as to ban a film that speaks of issues faced by the LGBTI community. This film is a story of love, a story that speaks to the realities of each and every one of us!
As much as it is important for us to recognise and celebrate what we have achieved so far, a lot is yet to be done and we need to be mindful of the enormous task that lies ahead.
Just recently, one of our own was attacked physically in a pub in Welkom only because he was proud of who he is. Stripped of his dignity solely because he wants to marry, live, and build a life full of love, trust, and compassion with his husband.
We need to ask, who do we have to be for us to be worthy of love?
In the rural parts of our country our people suffer the most, and I feel pain when I hear of the daily events of corrective rapes, assaults, intimidations, and young people being chase out of their parents’ houses just because they identify with the LGBTI community.
Most have lost their families because of their sexual orientation.
However, us, here, together, we are family and we should support each other in our struggles. Through supporting each other and talking about these crimes, we can encourage our friends, brothers, sisters and partners to be brave enough to stand steadfast for their beliefs.
The DA’s Women’s Network has and will continue with its commitment to support every person in the LGBTI Community.
We are your family.
The DA is your family.
Just recently, the DA-led Tshwane Executive Mayor, Solly Msimanga, called upon all African Presidents at the 2017 Tshwane Pride to decriminalise LGBTI relationships. Because we live by our beliefs, for the first time ever we raised the World LGBTI flag, the DA LGBTI flag and the South African flag above the City of Tshwane government building to show our commitment.
In the DA-led Nelson Mandela Bay, the mayoral committee for sports & recreation committed it’s support for a local LGBTI touch rugby team at the Donkin Reserve. This ensuring that we continue to work towards social acceptance of the LGBTI community through sport, recreation and social events.
Today I urge you, remain as you are and be proud of who you are.
As a nation we are still divided, however we are all different individuals, beautiful and strong willed.
That is why it is important to vote for a government that will advocate for a society that is built on freedom, fairness, opportunity and diversity
A government that will ensure an environment that will allow each one of us to feel safe to disclose that we are an LGBTIQ+ community member.
Only the DA can create that society, a South Africa for all.
A South Africa that we can all be proud of.
Let us continue to celebrate the colourful society that is the LGBTIQ+ community.
Let every person here and everywhere echo our message and support for each other.
I am! And you are one with us!
Amandla!