Homosexuality is rejected in most parts of Africa. 

We’ve all heard of the horror stories of men and women being forced to leave their homes, being beaten, and even being killed. But, the shocking tales of so-called ‘torture clinics’, whose sole purpose is to “cure” homosexuality  hits home.

Thankfully, though, for the women admitted to these clinics, years of campaigning have finally paid off.

It’s about time

“The Ecuadorian government has committed to deconstructing the belief that homosexuality is a sickness,” Fundacion Causana representative Karen Barba said in a recent press release.

And thanks to an online petition, signed by some 113,000 people across the globe, the facilities where women were abused and tortured, are finally being shut down.

But what about at home?

While South Africa is generally accepting of homosexuality – it’s often also an escape for people fleeing their own countries - we still wrestle with the sick mentality of some people who’re against it.

‘Corrective rape’ is something lesbian women struggle with daily, and the government doesn’t seem to be doing anything about it. The murder of lesbian activist and football star, Eudy Simelane is yet to see justice, and the attacks are an ongoing issue.

What needs to be done

We need our government to educate our country and to force people to open their eyes and their minds to what is going on.

How can we begin to offer refuge to people suffering elsewhere, if we can’t do the same at home?