Charity begins at… uhm…
by Willie Knoetze.
Originally published: 1 October 2003.
Home. The word you’re looking for is “home”. Easy enough a concept – or is it? Trends in the South African LGBTI (lesbian, gay, transgender and intersex) community indicate that, in fact, charity beginning at home is an immensely difficult concept to grasp.
Lesbian and gay people are caring people. True. In fact, our clubs, newspapers, bars, bookstores and organizations are well known for their many efforts, through the years, to support and raise funds for worthy causes. We fight HIV/AIDS, child abuse, violence and crime by volunteering, educating and donating whatever we can, wherever we can. But – strangely enough – we hardly lift a finger to support each other. Have you noticed?
Why is it that our magazines fold? Why are our clubs closing? Why do the organizations that fight for our rights as equal citizens, have to turn to the international community for funding? Where are the shelters for rejected LGBTI children? Where are our community support groups?
Is this what we call normalization? Societal integration perhaps.
The argument that we should “blend in” with the surroundings in order to live as normal, 1st class South Africans is rubbish. You can not care for, nurture and develop rejected LGBTI children in ordinary shelters, where re-victimization occurs. You can not join any given support group to deal with the loss of a same sex partner…
LGBTI people have needs and concerns that are unique to them – and therefore need situations, institutions and organisations that cater for them specifically.
We can only live as normal, 1st class South Africans if we are strong and healthy. We can only live empowered and enabled lives if we are informed… and we are the only people who know how to truly heal, strengthen, inform and support ourselves.
All communities have this in common: the care, nurture and mutual support of its members.
Next time you say; “she’s family (wink)” – or hum along to “Sisters are doing it for themselves”, pause a moment and consider what this actually means for you. And if, per chance, you believe that yes, we ARE family – take a look around and add your weight where it’s needed: at home.
