Pretoria, 12 October 2022 – OUT LGBT-Well Being announces a fund-raising campaign to ensure that Steve Hofmeyr faces the Equality Court and accounts for his dangerous anti-LGBTIQ+ rhetoric.
OUT, along with the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), is one of the complainants in the Equality Court case filed against Hofmeyr in June for what we argue amounts to hate speech. The SAHRC is asking that he issue a full public apology, donate R500,000 to an LGBTIQ+ group and do community service.
OUT believes that Hofmeyr must be held accountable for spreading anti-LGBTIQ+ lies and misinformation by telling his hundreds of thousands of social media followers that the LGBTIQ+ community supports people who engage in bestiality and suggesting that the community aims to sexually “groom” children through inclusive representation and education.
His comments perpetuate falsehoods that LGBTIQ+ people are sexual deviants who pose a danger to children. In a country where dozens of LGBTIQ+ people are murdered every year because of their sexuality or gender identity, these dangerous and false claims only serve to fuel discrimination and violence against our community.
OUT has secured an advocate to represent the organisation in the Equality Court case. He has agreed to provide his services ‘pro-bono’ (at no cost) but he is based in Gauteng. Therefore, OUT will be responsible for all costs incurred for his travel, food and accommodation in Gqeberha, where the case was lodged.
We aim to raise R50,000 to cover these costs and are humbly asking everyone who agrees that there is no place for discrimination and hate speech in South Africa to contribute whatever they can towards this important case. No amount is too small to help. Those who’d like to offer a donation to the cause can make an EFT to the following account:
Bank: First National Bank, Hatfield
Account name: OUT LGBT Well-being
Account no: 62799900701
Account type: Current
Branch code: 252145
SWIFT code: FIRNZAJJ
NB: Donations made to OUT can be deducted from income tax, up to a maximum of 10% of the taxable income of any individual, company, or trust in South Africa. If you’d like to take advantage of this benefit, please send proof of payment, along with your name and address to finadmin@engagemenshealth.org.za to obtain the 18A tax certificate/receipt.
*Payment reference should be Steve+YourSurname
Founded in 1994, OUT LGBT Well-being is a registered NPO that provides stigma-free HIV and other health services to gay, bisexual and MSM communities. It also works to eradicate LGBTIQ+ hate crimes and discrimination while assisting and supporting victims with paralegal advice and referrals. For more information visit www.out.org.za.
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