UUA President Visits Capetown BGLT Rights Organization
November 17, 2008
On Tuesday, November 11, Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) President William G. Sinkford, continuing his pilgrimage to Africa, visited the leading Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender (BGLT) organization in Cape Town, South Africa—The Triangle Project. The Triangle Project has been in existence for nearly 30 years, founded long before the equal rights of gays and lesbians were explicitly enshrined in the 1994 national Constitution. Though the organization was originally founded as a support group for gay men—largely serving the white population—over the past ten years it has become a multi-racial, multi-cultural organization serving a very diverse clientele. This evolution was challenging for the organization, as it required changes to the organization's governing board, its staff, and its outreach strategy.
Rev. Sinkford, accompanied by his spouse, Maria; UUA JUUST Change consultant Paula Cole Jones; and UUA International Relations Director Rev. Eric Cherry, had a candid conversation with the Triangle Project's Director of Community Services, Marlow Valetine, who described the continuing struggle of BGLT people in South Africa, and the varieties of support that the Triangle Project provides. These services include a health care clinic, counseling and support services, educational/training programs, and advocacy work.
Though the legal equality of gays and lesbians is assured in South Africa, we learned that violence, discrimination and other hate crimes against BGLT people continue to occur, particularly in rural areas and townships. Marlow described an ongoing legal case that illustrates one very disturbing type of hate crime labeled as “conversion rape.” Marlow explained that, while the South African courts have continually delayed proceedings in this case, the struggle against the perpetrators who attempted to change a young woman's sexual orientation by gang raping her, continues.
Though the Triangle Project did not always have close ties with religious organizations, these relationships have been developing over the last decade. The Triangle Project staff recognizes that clients often request pastoral care or other clergy services like civil union ceremonies. The organization has pursued a close relationship of mutual support with the Metropolitan Community Church, and with the former minister of the Unitarian Church, Rev. Gordon Oliver. Other religious leaders, like Archbishop Desmond Tutu, have also been strong supporters. Marlow told the story of how the Dean of St. George's Cathedral in Cape Town “came out” and Tutu supported him completely. For a number of years the Dean organized a monthly gathering of local clergy who were reliable allies for the LGBT community, including a Methodist minister who publicly denounced his church for its homophobia.
Though South Africa was one of the first countries to enact national “civil union” legislation, and though it is often considered a country that recognizes “Equal Marriage,” according to Marlow this is not entirely accurate. While all clergy are automatically authorized to serve as marriage officers for heterosexual couples, they must go through a special government registration process in order to solemnize same-sex unions. The Triangle Project stays in close contact with these clergy colleagues, and refers 5 or 6 couples to them most weeks.
The Triangle Project is one of many organizations that fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Many of these organizations are expected by their funders to employ the “ABC” formula: Be Abstinent, Be Faithful, and Condom-ize. While this is a far better philosophy than the “abstinence only” education that funding from the United States government required (PEPFAR), Marlow described it as unrealistic. In the hope of spending time, energy and money on effective programs, his organization collects facts and evidence that will inform donors of what the reality is and how they can constructively support effective work. He also described how support form the South African government has been mixed and often uninformed. As an example, Marlow cited a story of the president of the African National Congress, Jacob Zuma, who opined that “taking a shower” after having unprotected sex with an HIV-positive person was a useful precaution, and other national leaders who have described using garlic and spinach as protection against HIV/AIDS.
President Sinkford and his companions left the meeting very impressed with the comprehensive work of the Triangle Project, and agreed that the UUA will remain in close contact with the Triangle Project, especially as joint opportunities for international advocacy around HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention emerge.
Last updated on Monday, November 17, 2008.
