The Gay & Lesbian Network received a special distinction award from the French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights.

1/2/2012

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The names in the photo are from left to right: Anthony Waldhausen – Director & Founder of Gay & Lesbian Network, Mr Jacques Lapouge – French Ambassador to South Africa and Mr Desmond Lejenane – Deputy Director of Sonke Gender Justice Network

 

Press release from Gay & Lesbian Network, Pietermaritzburg

 

The Gay & Lesbian Network received a special distinction award from the French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights.

 

The awarded was hosted by the French Ambassador, Mr Jacques Lapouge yesterday evening 31 January 2012 at the French Ambassador’s residence in Pretoria. The award included a medal and certificate.

 

The distinction has been granted in recognition of Gay & Lesbian Network's work and active involvement in supporting the advancement of Human Rights in South Africa, especially with regards to fighting against human rights violations on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender.

 

The Network submitted an application for the 2011 Human Rights Prize of the French Republic and although the Network didn’t win the prize it was however bestowed a special distinction with six other organisations worldwide, two of which are South Africans. The other South African organisation was the Sonke Gender Justice Network.

 

Anthony Waldhausen, director of the Gay & Lesbian Network said “It’s an honour and privilege to have received this award and recognition and would like to acknowledge staff, volunteers, EXCO and our partners who work sternly and passionately to realising the Network’s vision. I would like to dedicate this award to all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex people worldwide who face on-going discrimination, persecution and even murder – we will endure with the struggle and are with you all, each day of your life in the hope that this scourge of homophobia is eliminated from the face of the earth.

 

Nothing will stop our resolve to ensure a just and free society for all.

 

I would also like to congratulate Sonke Gender Justice Network who also shared this award with us and hope to network and partner together with them in the future.”

 

In attendance included various dignitaries from embassies, SA Human Rights Commission, donors, NGOs and Mr Gay SA 2011-Lance Weyer.

 

Founded in 1988, the prize is awarded every year in complete independence by the French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) and rewards human rights defenders around the world for their action on the ground. This prize presented by the Prime Minister of the French government, is awarded to individual or collective action on the ground, irrespective of nationality or borders, undertaken in France or abroad, with respect to specific themes every year. In 2011, the themes were the fight against human rights violations on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity and combating violence against women. This year around 160 organisations have applied for the prize.

You can find more information on the CNCDH website: www.cncdh.fr

 For more information about the award please contact Aurélie Voix at the French Embassy at Tel: 012 – 4251718 or [email protected] and Anthony Waldhausen at Tel: 033-3426165 or [email protected]

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OUT LGBT Well-Being leads evidence in the sentencing of a hate crime

1/2/2012

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_ 26 January 2012

PRESS STATEMENT

 

OUT LGBT Well-Being leads evidence in the sentencing of a hate crime

 

 

On Friday, 27 January 2012, OUT - represented by Webber Wentzel Attorneys - will lead further evidence in aggravation of sentence, in a hate crime trial at the Germiston Magistrates Court.

 

The trial in the State vs. Madubaduba and 2 Others has spanned more than 3 years. In December 2011, the accused were found guilty of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after attacking a young, black, gay man in a bar. The offence is a typical hate crime as the gay man was targeted as a result of his sexual orientation.

 

In delivering judgment, the magistrate specifically noted that the accused were motivated by hatred and disrespect for gay people which was particularly degrading for the complainant.

 

On 27 January, OUT intends leading two additional witnesses to provide the court with further information on homophobic discrimination in South Africa and the particularly detrimental impact of hate crimes on victims, survivors, LGBT communities and society at large.

 

OUT set a groundbreaking precedent in being successfully admitted as amicus curiae in the sentencing phase of the trial. OUT's successful amicus application was historic on at least two fronts:

 

·         OUT is the first organisation to be successfully admitted as amicus curiae in a criminal trial in the magistrates courts; and

·         It is the first time a Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender (LGBT) rights organisation will be leading expert evidence to ensure thatsentencing in homophobia-motivated crimes takes into account the hate element in the commissioning of these crimes. 

 

OUT is hopeful that the successful admission of the organisation as a friend of the court may enable other civil society organisations to offer their expertise to the lower courts on a range of issues, including those affecting the LGBT community.

 

The Court Hearing details are as follows:

Court: Germiston Magistrate Court

Date: 27 January 2012

Time: 9:00




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Vacancy at OUT PTA

22/1/2012

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_ OUT is 17 years old and serve the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender (LGBT) community in Pretoria and beyond. We are one of the oldest LGBT community groups in South Africa. Our main focus is on health issues of Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and LGB T people. We manage a clinic, prevention work, advocacy and health care worker training.

OUT is currently recruiting for two vacancies:

Health Manager. S/he will be responsible to initiate, implement, monitor and evaluate a range of health and well-being activities. S/he will do overall management of the clinic; manage the psycho-social services (counseling and groups); manage on-line prevention services and barrier method distribution and manage outreach testing. The Health Manager is part of a small management team, responsible for budgets and funder reports, represent OUT, and manages staff. A B-degree is essential and registration as a psychologist/social worker is preferred.

Office Administrator. S/he will be responsible for reception, booking of clients, switchboard duties, managing a small resource centre, asset management, managing time keeping registers and client satisfaction questionnaires, assisting with all funder administration, assisting with financial administration (payment of accounts, VAT etc) and general office administration. S/he should have at least have a Matric.

The positions are based in Pretoria.  It will be a permanent appointment with a three month probation period. Salary is negotiable pending on qualifications and experience. Please forward CV’s to Dawie Nel, [email protected]; 012-430 3272. www.out.org.za.  Closing date for applications is 27 January 2012 at noon. We would ideally like the position filled as from 1 April 2012. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

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