Lungi Langa
Attendees at a gay pride parade in Vryheid in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday called for greater protection for the LGBTQI+ community.
Revellers welcomed KZN MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu’s promise of increased service provision but said they still suffer discrimination when accessing those services.
At the pride parade, Simelane-Zulu called on health workers not to mistreat people from the LGBTQI+ community who are seeking help.
She vowed that those who continued to discriminate against them would be dealt with accordingly.
Members of the LGBTQI+ community said they hoped the MEC’s visit would also make it easier for them to access services without being discriminated against.
Zama Sangweni, a 26-year-old lesbian from Mondlo, said they are often subjected to discrimination when they try to access healthcare and other services offered by government. She said this often prompts them to seek private healthcare or to go without some services.
Earlier this year, the department announced that it had set aside more than R20 million in an effort to reduce HIV/Aids infections among the LGBTQI+ community.
Part of this was the provision of free dental dams, lubricants and finger cots.
Thato Malaoaneng, a 26-year-old man, said he was hopeful about the provision of such services after getting free lubricant at the parade.
“Normally I pay at least R209 for lubricant. I use it for at least three months and have to buy more. Receiving it from a health facility near me will make a huge difference,” said Malaoaneng.
