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Greetings!
We could never have imagined that July, amid the COVID pandemic, would turn out to be a month of turmoil, insurrection and looting leaving many in a state of disbelief and shock at the disastrous scheme to destabilise South Africa. This dark cloud had a silver lining – the capacity for solidarity and community in the face of the rampage shone through as people began cleaning up, rebuilding, offering help and resources to those who have been affected.
We also welcomed the Jon Qwelane hate speech judgement, a court battle that spanned more than a decade, which set down constitutionally legal definition of hate speech as: “Words that are based on one or more of the prohibited grounds, against any person, that could reasonably be construed to demonstrate a clear intention to be harmful or to incite harm and to promote or propagate hatred.”
On the African continent, people were outraged as the Ghanaian government intensified their efforts to clamp down on any form of LGBTIQ+ rights by introducing the anti-gay bill, proposing 10-year prison sentences for anyone found guilty. The authors of the bill are clearly ignorant of the variety of sexual orientation, gender identity expressions, and sexual characteristics (SOGIE SC) and the holistic approach to sexual diversity. We continue to stand in solidarity with our LGBTIQ+ brothers and sisters in Ghana as the struggle for freedom and equality continues.
Congratulations to all the athletes who participated in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. It was a strange sight to see the stadiums without spectators, nevertheless 17 world records were broken across a wide variety of sports. The Olympics also delivered interesting debates on fairness on transgender athletes who participated. What is your take on transgender athletes? We would like to hear your view – you can hit reply to this message or send us a note at info@iam.org.za.
Yet another women’s month to embrace as we celebrate women in all their diversity. I would like to see Women’s Day being celebrated throughout the year, specifically in our context where gender-based violence is an ongoing struggle. Our work is for all women of all races, backgrounds, SOGIE SC, and religions to be protected and celebrated.
Aluta Continua!
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Ecclesia de Lange
Director, IAM
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Queering days of remembrance for LGBTIQ+ wellness
IAM’s Hanzline R. Davids reflects on his own journey and how remembering and reconstructing the meaning of our past can itself be a path towards wellness and healing for queer bodies and communities.
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A call to action to end the violence against the LGBTI community
In an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, IAM’s Greyson V. Thela notes that though actions have been taken they are not yet enough to truly protect the lives of LGBTI people in South Africa.
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Reflections from IAM’s Human Sexuality and Gender Diversity workshop
Earlier this year, IAM partnered with the Faculty of Theology at the University of Stellenbosch to host the annual Human Sexuality and Gender Diversity workshop for students in the Masters of Divinity programme. Several participants and faculty share here their reflections on the workshop.
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Prof. Juliana Claassens (2021)
Prof. Juliana Claassens speaks about how IAM contributes to open students’ minds to the diversity of sexuality and gender diversity through dialogue.
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Jayson Gribble (2021)
Jayson Gribble, a student in the Masters in Divinity Programme, talks about the intersection of a ministry of presence, power and masculinity in changing the hearts and minds of faith communities.
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Brendina Mbaya (2021)
Jayson Gribble, a student in the Masters in Divinity Programme, talks about the intersection of a ministry of presence, power and masculinity in changing the hearts and minds of faith communities.
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Vigil for hope and healing (2021)
The Vigil for hope and healing took place on Sunday, 25 July. It was a space where we could reflect, pray and mourn for those we have lost, finding new strength together for what we're agitating for.
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- IAM will host GBV and diversity management training for first and second year Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) students | 10 and 17 August 2021
- As part of the Robert Carr Fund education project, IAM staff will engage with learners and Life Orientation teachers at Delft Technical Highschool on comprehensive sexual education and an introduction to sexual and reproductive health and rights. | 13 August 2021
- IAM will facilitate its next online engagements with social workers supporting learners and teachers in the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) Metro East District focusing on Sexual and Gender Identity: Creating an Enabling Environment for LGBTIQ+ Learners | 20 and 27 August 2021
- IAM will host a Training of Trainers for South African and regional partners focused on facilitating dialogue for transformation and contextual bible studies. | 5-8 September 2021
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Please consider supporting IAM's work should you have the means. Your contributions, whatever the amount and whether once off or recurring, help us continue our life-affirming and transformational work throughout Africa. Tax certificates available upon request at info@iam.org.za.
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