Political and religious groups are lobbying against the inclusion of LGBTQ+ in education in South African schools.
Freedom of Religion South Africa, the Family Policy Institute, the African Christian Democratic Party and Freedom Front Plus are some of groups that are opposed to the guidelines, which were drafted in September 2022.
These groups, who have partnered with US-based conservatives to prevent queer-friendly education from being included and taught in public schools, want to intensify their efforts to ban and completely eliminate the reproductive health policy, particularly in relation to LGBTQ+ rights.
South Africa, in terms of legislation, is a haven for the LGBTQ+ community. However, despite the progressive legislation that allows for the rights of the queer community to be protected, homophobia still persists, especially in schools, affecting the mental health and livelihood of queer learners.
Hayley McEwen, a political science postdoctoral fellow at Gothenburg University, believes that the Department of Basic Education's (DBE) drafted guidelines to make public schools LGBTQ+ inclusive should be given the go ahead.
"These groups based in South Africa have been very much connected with US Christian rights groups … they have been doing this in many other countries and also in the United Nations," says McEwen.
The harmful rhetoric expressed by these groups is discriminatory, as it excludes queer youth from being taught comprehensive and safe sex education, and practices blatant homophobia, justified behind the guise of religion.
In theory, South Africa’s sex education curriculum includes all the information learners (whatever their sexual orientation or identity) need to help them make safe choices about their sex lives. It follows the comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) approach, which teaches learners about the emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality.
Contrary to public outcries of conservative groups, this way of teaching sex education doesn’t encourage kids to have sex.
Evidence shows that CSE can help them wait longer before they start having sex and make safe choices when they do, like using condoms; which is why this type of sex education is included in South Africa’s National Strategic Plan on HIV, TB and STIs.
In a country like South Africa, where teen pregnancies, HIV and other STIs, Gender-Based Violence and sexual vulnerability of young learners is rife, comprehensive sex education can teach learners about practicing safe sex, asking for and giving consent and knowing all the facts relating to reproductive health and reproductive rights before and after engaging in sex.
Queer learners should not be excluded from that discussion.
Queer youth deserve to know all the relevant information relating to their health and safety, just as heterosexual learners are taught.
McEwen says that the DBE has been making every effort to promote and implement the inclusion of queer learners in schools, as well as protect and prevent bullying, which the LGBTQ+ community often faces, due to persistent homophobia.
The DBE is ensuring that schools are safer for everyone, working in line with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights which aims for a non-discriminatory society, she argued.
"The Department of Basic Education has taken a very positive step in their efforts to address what’s become a crisis in many schools in the country, which is the intense bullying, violent bullying, and harassment of LGBTQI learners," elaborated McEwen.
The existence of the queer community, especially queer youth, cannot be disputed. Because they exist, they should be recognised, treated with respect and included in our society in ways that relate and benefit them.
If you or anyone you know is part of the LGBTQ+ community and is need of help, please contact the following resources:
- OUT: 012 430 3272
- PFLAG South Africa/Same Love Toti: 082 654 8635
- The Gay and Lesbian Network (GLN): 033 342 6165.
- The Pride Shelter: 021 423 2871.
- Sonke Gender Justice: 021 423 7088 / 011 339 3589.
- The Triangle Project: 021 712 6699.
In an emergency please call LifeLine’s 24 Hour Counselling Line on 011 422 4242 / 0861 322 322 or the South African Depression and Anxiety Group’s (SADAG) Suicide Crisis Line on 0800 567 567.
