The importance of lgbti education to our sdp’s and students NASDEV Winter School | TUT, Pretoria | 20 June 2015 Bongani Sibeko – MSM/LGBTI Programme Coordinator

Before we begin… First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist;  Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist;  Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist;  Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew;  Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak out for me. 

BACKGROUND The South African Constitution prohibits all unfair discrimination on the basis of sex, gender or sexual orientation, whether committed by the government or by a private party. In 2000, Parliament enacted the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA), which restates the constitutional prohibition and establishes special Equality Courts to address discrimination by private parties. The PEPUDA Act also prohibits hate speech and harassment based on any of the prohibited grounds of discrimination

introduction LGBTI stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex. In South Africa, we’ve led the world in reforms around sexual orientation, and when you look at education, you see that the basic rights are there in the policies. But despite these protections, Higher Education Institutions continue to be unsafe spaces for LGBTI students, who are often victimised, harassed and bullied. Although it becomes clear that LGBTI students have the same rights as other students at Higher Education Institutions, and there should be no discrimination against them, the topic of homosexuality has always been ignored in most Higher Education Institutions

introduction Some of us might know that LGBTI students are dropping out in high numbers, and that they experience high levels of suicide, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, and they also engage in risky sexual behaviour. Even when we, personally, may have different views and beliefs about LGBTI students, we need to uphold and respect their Human Rights which are entrenched in the Constitution of the republic. We need interventions that will address both our LGBTI student’s Human Rights, health, and social needs.

questions Is there a need for our SDP’s and Students to get educated on LGBTI student’s needs? YES! Although South African schools are steered by legislation such as the Constitution which entrenches all people’s rights, attitudes of people in the Higher Education Institutions and social systems are yet to be improved towards LGBTI people. The education system, whose main function is to educate young people to fulfil their place in a democratic society according to Constitutional values, fails and sends out a skewed valued system not in harmony with a human rights culture.

LGBTI students see universities as spaces of intellectual freedom and believe these institutions are progressive and inclusive spaces – unlike their communities back home. Institutions are often an extension of some of the general population’s homophobic attitudes. Their fellow students are homophobic and discriminate against them in their residences, on the sport fields, during lectures and when they access other support services on campus. Although all students have the same human rights, the way society and schools implement these rights, is a violation of the right not to be discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation. The education system still reproduces social unjust and inequality in which heterosexual students are privileged.

How do we approach this intervention? The intervention to address issues of LGBTI students demands an integrated response from our political, academic, student development practitioners and student leadership. It also requires stakeholder engagement in order to achieve social change that brings LGBTI students into the fold of protection of their rights, and risk reduction in relation to their sexual health and psychological and overall wellness Universities are obliged to ensure that LGBTI students are afforded equal opportunities in the same way as other students. Curriculum reforms aimed at incorporating teaching material about sexual orientation and gender diversity is also necessary

Employees of Higher Education Institutions should be educated and trained to implement and promote basic human rights amongst students. Use the curriculum to incorporate LGBTI education. Ensure each student’s right to equal sexual health education. In sexual health education, both heterosexual and homosexual issues should be addressed in the curriculum. Ensure appropriate literature on LGBTI issues in the library and remove offensive literature. Invite outside speakers to talk about difference, respect, understanding, prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination.

Current existing lgbti interventions in some of our universities LGBTI Sensitisation workshops LGBTI Support groups Campus dialogues Distribution of IEC (Information, Education and Communication) materials. Making referrals/linkages to LGBTI sensitive and affirmative services on and off campus Networking, advocacy and lobbying

Who benefits from these interventions? STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES WITHIN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS Example: Current services have integrated LGBTI student’s needs GENERAL STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES ARE INFORMED ON HOW TO TREAT FELLOW LGBTI STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES.

conclusion South African Higher Education Institutions have an important part to play in challenging diversity issues such as homophobia, as homophobia is fuelled by both a lack of awareness and a lack of the promotion of Constitutional values and rights. LGBTI education is fundamental to overcome widely accepted prejudice, as well as the “hidden curriculum” in the South African Education System and broader society. To deny LGBTI students their Human Rights due to their sexual orientation would be the same as denying any other minority group the same basic rights.

ANY questions??

Brian Sibeko sibekobb@tut.ac.za Thank you! Brian Sibeko sibekobb@tut.ac.za