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14 January 1994
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN
MINORITY GROUPS
The positive implications of redressing past wrongs
by affirmative action should also be extended to other groups which suffered
injustices.
Of concern to me is the status of the subculture labelled
homosexuals or gay persons.
Gay people were forced to live in subcultures
and for the most part out of the public eye. This has had adverse effects in
our assimilation
in the general population, self image, and acceptance into
normal and key positions in both business and the public sector. People
were by
legislation discriminated against and often have had to live their lives as
lies, or compronfise both their and other peoples
lives. Many doors in
government and private sector are closed for single men and women, especially if
they are 'suspected' of being
gay.
No more stereotyping us in the moffic
image and tolerated as only being good enough to be the chef , arrange the
flowers and decorate
the stately homes. Gay people are more than
that.
As with victims under apartheid the injustices to gay people should
as a matter of urgency also be addressed. Because of the stigma
attached to
being gay, few leaders outside the gay community have taken any positive steps
to address these injustices since the
changes in the country, as opposed to the
number of people, institutions and businesses taking up the cause of the black
conununity
and womans' rights.
It is important that the situation be
normalised so that people because of whatever sexual proclivity, be afforded the
same rights
and opportunities as any other person in this
country.
Strong community, sports and commercial organisations
established by gay people already exist and these have had opportunity to voice
their stakes. Yet these assertions are not seriously considered by politicians
and other leaders because of the entrenched discriminatory
perception of people
labeled as being gay: illegal, out of place, ridiculed and closeted. We just
don't exist.
Their main thrust for changes in the country has only been
affirmative action as generally perceived and to a lesser degree womans
rights.
Who is looking at the minorities?
Gay leaders have voiced their concern
with assuring the gay person's legal status in law.
Gay people should not
have to be concerned only with assuring their right to being.
Gay people must
be afforded the same opportunities as any other people who have
suffered.
It is therefore your duty, as with affirmative action, and by
similar means, to provide for the creation of a respected and proper
place for
us in this society, so that eventually, as with the colour of your skin or sex,
differences fade and loose importance.
I and other gay people want our
rightful place in this society recognised.
Pierre Jordaan
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