Sibonelo Ncanana, OUT’s Civil Society Engagement Officer, recently participated as one of the panelists in the LGBTQI+ Displaced Community Dialogue held during the Human Rights Festival at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg on 21 March.
Organised by Rainbow Refuge Africa and Lawyers For Human Rights, this event aimed to address the complex challenges encountered by LGBTQI+ displaced individuals in South Africa. Over 50 members of this often-marginalised community took part in the dialogue.
Given the significant number of LGBTQI+ asylum seekers seeking refuge in South Africa to escape anti-LGBTQI+ oppression, the event provided a crucial platform to share experiences and advocate for the human rights of displaced queer individuals.
With support from the US Embassy’s Julia Taft Fund, OUT is implementing a project to assist LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers in navigating the Department of Home Affairs application process and to provide safe spaces, shelter support and access to mental health assistance.