LGBT rights in South Africa

As a follow up to my last post. This article in Wikepedia makes me proud to be South African. Perhaps LGBT activists in the States can use this as a reference.

Some may argue that we have a high rate of HIV infection. Closer inspection of the stats though, reveal that the highest new rates of infection are among heterosexual groups, and HIV transmission through birth by HIV positive mothers.

The blame for this can be squarely laid at the government's feet, who for years under Thabo Mbeki and our ridiculous then Minister of Health Nkososana Dlamini-Zuma (Ex-wife of our President in waiting) who advocated the eating of garlic and beetroot to prevent HIV transmission.

Luckily, much of that has changed. Through the actions of Zackie Achmat and his Treatment Action Campaign ARV rollouts to the poor have finally gained critical momentum.

Here is a great site set up by GALA (Gay and Lesbian Memory in Archives) whose mission is to record the history of LGBT in South Africa.

And if you are gay and intend traveling to South Africa on holiday, be sure to check the OFFICIAL South African Tourism guide on the Pink Route.

Thanks for allowing my indulgence into being a proud gay father living in South Africa.