'Lesbian rights are human rights'

01 Oct 2007- South Africa- Gays and lesbians in Soweto have had enough of the homophobia in the huge township.

On Saturday, they took to the streets in a march aimed at stressing the need for more protection for homosexuals in the township.

Several of the 150 participants - mainly women - who joined the third annual Soweto Pride March wore T-shirts with the words "Pissed off woman" and held up placards with slogans such as "Lesbian rights are human rights" and "Dying for justice".

The "Dying for justice" slogan was a direct reference to the brutal murder of two lesbians in July, The two women - Sizakele Sigasa ,34, and Salome Masooa ,23, - were raped, tortured and killed in Meadowlands, Soweto.

Sigasa - whose hands were tied with her underwear and her ankles tied with her shoelaces - was shot several times. The police are still investigating the murders and no arrests have been made.

During the march, which started at the corner of Mphuthi Street and Roodepoort Road in Central Western Jabavu and proceeded to Meadowlands police station, participants handed over a petition calling upon the police to protect Soweto's gays and lesbians.

Said 22-year-old Lesego, who didn't want to give her surname: "I'm here to tell the public that we aren't different. And being gay is certainly not un-African. We have a very liberal constitution but it isn't implemented in civil society. And things are getting worse. Most of my sisters have been violated."

Olive, a 35-year-old lesbian who joined the march, said she was afraid to walk alone at night. "Sizakele Sigasa was a close friend of mine. After what happened to her, I've become extremely cautious," she said.

As the march proceeded, some curious residents came out of their houses to check what was happening. "They are fighting for their rights. I have no problem with that," said one resident.

According to Dawn Cavanagh, director of the Forum for the Empowerment of Women, homophobia and intolerance are still big problems - even in the police force.

"The police are a reflection of our society. We want to be taken seriously when we ask for security," she said.

March organiser Phumla Masuku said it was important that gays and lesbians were visible in the townships. "This (Soweto) is my home and I also have the right to be here. We fear being raped and even murdered, but I'm tired of running. I want to bring awareness to the community, in memory of my beloved friends."

The march ended at Credo Mutwa Park in Central Western Jabavu.

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