|
South Africa appoints Lesbian cabinet minister |
by Mike Andrew -
SGN Staff Writer
Lynne Brown became South Africa's first Lesbian cabinet minister May 26, and probably the first LGBT cabinet officer in Africa.
Brown was appointed by South African President Jacob Zuma to the post of Minister of Public Enterprises. Like Zuma, she is a longtime member of the governing ANC (African National Congress) and has served on its National Executive Committee since 2007.
When appointed, Brown was leader of the ANC in Western Cape Province, where she served as premier - the equivalent of governor - in 2008 and 2009. Before governing the Western Cape, she served as provincial Minister for Economic Development and Tourism.
Eusebius McKaiser, South African broadcaster and political author, told The Guardian newspaper that Brown's new high-profile position is a significant advance.
'It is, sadly, probably newsworthy, I guess, insofar as the social impact of openly gay people in high-profile public leadership positions cannot be discounted in a country like South Africa, where levels of homophobia, including violence against black lesbian women, remain rife,' McKaiser said.
'The symbolism matters also from an African perspective, too, given other countries around us are enacting and enforcing laws criminalizing same-sex sex and lifestyles.'
Steven Friedman, director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy, agreed.
'I think it's worth drawing attention to,' he said.
'She's not a gay rights campaigner - it's not recognition in that sense - but the fact that under the most socially conservative president since 1994 there is the first openly gay minister in such a position is significant.'
South Africa's constitution includes explicit protections for LGBT people, and same-sex marriage has been legal there since 2006. President Jacob Zuma - who identifies as a 'Zulu traditionalist' - has not endorsed same-sex marriage, but says he accepts that it is a legal institution.
'We have a constitution that is very clear that we all respect, which I respect. It has a view on that one, that gay marriage is a constitutionally accepted thing in South Africa. So no matter what my views would be,' Zuma said.
In South Africa's May 7 election, the country also elected its first Gay black member of parliament, Zakhele Mbhele, a member of the opposition Democratic Alliance. He was sworn in on Harvey Milk Day.
On May 20, the South African National Blood Service announced it was lifting its ban on blood donations by Gay men.
Share on Facebook
Share on Delicious
Share on StumbleUpon!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Double homicide
------------------------------
Feds say Medicare must cover sex reassignment surgery -
State Insurance Commissioner prepares to follow suit
------------------------------
Mayor signs minimum wage bill, but it's not a done deal yet
------------------------------
Pennsylvania marriage equality - Gov. Corbett, the inside story, and the thank-yous
------------------------------
Out & Equal launches 2nd annual Northwest Regional Summit in Seattle, June 13
------------------------------
GSBA awards $330,000 to LGBTQ and allied scholars -
Record-breaking amount of scholarships awarded by local businesses
------------------------------
Rejected!
SCOTUS turns down NOM attempt to stop Oregon marriages
------------------------------
Idaho Governor asks for full Ninth Circuit review of marriage ruling
------------------------------
Kiki with D
------------------------------
South Africa appoints Lesbian cabinet minister
------------------------------
Porn safety bill passes California committee, goes to assembly floor
------------------------------
Gay widower sues Bayer for survivor benefits
------------------------------
First ever Cyprus Pride -
Cypriot parliament considers bill to ban homophobic acts
------------------------------
ERW celebrates 10 years
------------------------------
Anti-Gay groups can't intervene in marriage case, Florida judge says
------------------------------
My Chacha is Gay - First Gay-themed Pakistani children's book
------------------------------
Have kids not cats, Pope says
------------------------------
State of Utah appeals ruling to enforce its own marriage laws
------------------------------
BREAKING NEWS
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
|