Since the pandemic, research has been done across the continent, showing the impact of COVID-19 on LGBT+ persons. A report from the African Queer Youth Initiative showed that LGBT+ persons had experienced homelessness and limited access to health care services while struggling to stay safe from contracting the virus. The Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria said in their report, “Within this global upheaval, LGBTIQ+ persons in Africa and their allies continue to face threats to their lives and wellbeing from state and non-state actors. While the emergency limitation of rights broadly targets the general population, there is growing evidence from media reports and NGO statements that LGBTIQ+ persons around the world, who are typically vulnerable and marginalised even in ‘normal’ times, will be affected disproportionately by the pandemic.”
As a result, Lerato La Basadi, a group of mothers and relatives of LGBT+ people, has joined forces to open the Turning Tides LGBTQIA Shelter in Gauteng, South Africa.
Nandi Msezane, the Shelter’s spokesperson, spoke with Newzroom Afrika about the pandemic’s impact on LGBT+ people and how the Shelter can help community members trying to make ends meet. Watch below.
If you would like to support the Shelter, you can reach out to them via Instagram.
