Miki,+Kasey,+Tania

link to the article: @http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/12/05/south-africa-lgbt-rights-name-only

abstract: This article is basically about how lesbians, transgender, and bisexuals are physically abused and raped in Southern Africa. They are overwhelmingly discriminated against, raped, and abused despite the protections given to them that are stated in their country's constitution. What's worse? is that the people that rape/discriminate/abuse them (i.e. private individuals and government officials) act with near-total impunity ( which basically means that they do these things without punishment ). South Africa is doing an extremely poor job in protecting the LGBT people of africa. & sadly enough, on one account, after a young girl (lesbian) was raped by four guys, there explanation was: "We just wanted to show you you're a woman".

Discussion Questions: 1. Why do you think the police officers and government treat homosexuals poorly? 2. Do you think that homosexuals should be treated differently from others because of their choice of sexuality? 3. How can this article relate to femininity and masculinity? 4.Do you think the abuse & raping would stop if the people of South Africa were educated about how LGBT is //not// a choice? 5.Scientists, as well as many others, have proven that LGBT isn't a choice, do you agree? Why or why not? 6.Regardless of your sexual orientation, if a man came up to you, flashed you his male reproductive organ, and told you "This is what you need" what would you do? 7. Why do you think the men (specifically) are so riled up about the LGBT in South Africa?

Tania's Response: I was completely shocked by this article and i feel for the LGBT people of South Africa. I mean, for them to have laws and protection put up for their safety & not even have the government enforce them regularly?! What's the point of having them anyway, then? The thing that saddened me the most was that according to the article, even the government officials, the people that the LGBT people of south africa trust and are supposed to be regulating the protections stated for the LGBT people, abuse them.It seems to me as though they have no one to turn to because even their own families are ashamed of them. One of the victim accounts stated that someone told them they don't want sodom and gomorrah" I had no idea what she was referring to and i had NEVER EVER EVER heard anyone i know use that phrase to insult LGBT but when i googled it, I couldn't believe that someone would go as far as using a bible reference ( one that i hadn't even really knew.. and i'm a reverend's daughter! :/ )

Miki's Response: After I read this article, it took me a couple of minutes to process this information. I was shocked that these poor women and men were being sexually harassed just because they do not follow tradtion by being in love with a man or a woman. I am not a very judgemental person and I do not judge lesbians and transgenders because personally, I feel that your social status of who you are in love with does not impact how you should be looked in society. People in general can be very judgemental when they see something different and I feel bad for these women and men. I just could not believe that men would be so mean to these women just because they are lesbians. What I also thought was shocking was that these victims of sexual harassment could not even go to authorities for help becasue they felt strongly against their situation and had little sympathy for them. If these men and women can not even confess to the police about being sexually harassed, then who can they turn to for help? I hope that in the future, the government of South Africa will take the advice listed at the bottom of the website so that these homosexuals can feel safe and protected.

Kasey's Response: This article caught me off guard because this is the first time that men were being sexually assaulted too. I think that it is sad that these people are supposed to be protected by Human rights but the government doesn't even enforce them. It broke my heart to see that people that are LGBT must live in fear of being sexually harassed. The worst part about this whole problem is that there is no solution. The government already promised these people their human rights but no one ever enforces it. The people that have enough courage to tell the police about it become ridiculed and probably will get beaten up when the person that raped them gets out of jail. Once again the families are ashamed of the victims that have been harassed so they really have no one to turn to. I cant even imagine how lonely they feel. I believe that LGBT's did not choose to be that way and it's totally wrong for people to hurt and humiliate them because of there different sexuality.