The organised lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community of South Africa, represented by the national Joint Working Group*, states as follows:

On Friday, 20 July, the South African delegation to the UN Economic and Social Council [ECOSOC] chose to abstain in a vote on whether or not to recognise two international NGOs (non-governmental organisations) to represent lesbian and gay interests on this international forum.

The organised lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, represented by the national Joint Working Group*, states as follows:

On Friday, 20 July, the South African delegation to the UN Economic and Social Council [ECOSOC] will vote on whether to recognise two international NGOs (non-governmental organisations) to represent lesbian and gay interests on this international forum.

As such, South Africa will have an opportunity to cast a significant vote that will impact on international human rights, specifically for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The South African lesbian and gay communities through the Joint Working Group* and partner organisations STRONGLY CONDEMN the killing of Sizakele Sigasa (34) and Salome Masooa (23) from a township in Johannesburg. They were found (Sunday 8th July) murdered, execution style, in a nearby field in Meadowlands; a shocking image that is not so new in South Africa in the light of the recent increase in violence and rape against women either identified as, suspected of or supporting lesbian and gay rights.
 
Gays and lesbians are men and women, human beings who deserve equal rights and treatment – not to be ridiculed or called names, beaten, tortured, raped or killed. These gross human rights violations are not just inhuman and barbaric - they must not be tolerated! Sizakele and Salome’s killers, like everyone else, HAD NO RIGHT TO THREATEN OR KILL THEM!!

Gender DynamiX and more than 20 of its stakeholders took Kalk Bay by storm when they gathered for a 4 day strategic planning workshop. History was made when, for the first time ever, such a diverse group of transgender people in South Africa came together to brainstorm, strategize and plan around the future activities of Gender DynamiX.

Gender DynamiX and the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) pulled their resources together and produced an info pamphlet outlining safe sex practices for transgender sex workers. This is the first time on the African continent that printed material gives scope to this marginalized group of people.