LGBT South Africa holiday advice

In 1998, South Africa became the first country in the world to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. It was the fifth country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage – and remains the only country in Africa to do so.

But just as the end of apartheid has not resulted in equality for South Africans, regardless of race, so enshrining equality and rights in law does not mean that there is no discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. South African society is comprised of many races, religions, beliefs and customs; unsurprisingly, therefore, attitudes towards sexuality and gender vary widely across the country.

Within some communities, it is claimed that same-sex relationships are ‘un-African’, as they are associated with colonialism or Western culture – which, of course, is a myth. Words describing same-sex relationships in languages such as Setswana and Khoikhoi existed long before European colonists arrived. It was the colonists and Christian missionaries who accelerated the persecution of LGBTQ+ people. In the 21st century, the ‘colonial import myth’ has been perpetuated by former president Jacob Zuma, who shared homophobic views while speaking out against the civil marriage bill.

LGBTQ+ South Africans continue to face social stigma, thanks to these ideas amplified during colonial and apartheid eras – particularly in rural areas and conservative communities. Discrimination and violence towards LGBTQ+ people is not uncommon. As with most violent crime in South Africa, this takes place largely within local communities, particularly in poorer townships, with tourists unlikely to be targeted.

Some attitudes may be changing. A survey carried out by the Other Foundation in 2008 found that 84 percent of South Africans did not believe that same-sex relationships were morally acceptable; by 2013 this had dropped to 61 percent. Ten years later, a in poll by Ipsos, just 19 percent of those surveyed opposed same-sex marriage and/or legal recognition.

The current South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, is often a vocal ally, speaking in videos celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and denouncing toxic masculinity, and there are now a number of openly LGBTQ+ politicians. In 2021, Lehlogonolo Machaba became the first openly transgender woman to make it into the finalists for Miss South Africa; there’s also been an increase in more inclusive LGBTQ+ pageants.

However, other reports have showed a disturbing reversal in this trend. At least 24 people were murdered in 2021 in bias-motivated attacks and traumatising conversion ‘therapy’ is still widely practised. And in a country with one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world, the reluctance of gay men to be open about their sexual orientation can cost them their lives.

Human Rights Watch reported on the harassment and violence faced by Black lesbian women and transgender men, who are especially vulnerable to assault due to a mix of discrimination against their race, gender, sexuality and assumed rebellion against patriarchal ideals. Journalist and filmmaker Laura Fletcher’s documentary African Pride covers some of these issues, including the contradictions between law and culture that influence the complex attitudes towards same-sex relationships in South Africa.

For more information on attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people in South Africa, see the full report from the Other Foundation. Interestingly, the report is titled Progressive Prudes because, according to the organisation: “The majority of South Africans think that gay and lesbian people should have the same human rights as other people and should be part of the cultures and traditions of South Africa – even though the majority also think that sex between people of the same sex is morally wrong.”