HATE HAS NO HOME HERE: SA PREPARES TO MARK INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA, TRANSPHOBIA AND BIPHOBIA

By Precious Mupenzi

• Saturday, 17 May 2025 marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia – a day South Africa will use to rise in solidarity once again with LGBTIQA+ communities.
• Under the theme ‘The Power of Communities’, the Department of Social Development will reaffirm its commitment to building safer, inclusive communities.
• The department recognises the deep emotional trauma inflicted on the LGBTIQA+ communities, not just by physical violence, but by everyday discrimination.

As the world prepares to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on 17 May, South Africa will once again raise its voice in solidarity with LGBTIQA+ communities, standing against the violence, discrimination, and repression that continue to plague sexual and gender minorities globally and locally.
Observed annually on May 17, International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia commemorates the World Health Organisation’s landmark 1990 decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.
Since then, the day has evolved into a powerful international platform, with over 130 countries now participating to advocate for the rights and dignity of LGBTIQA+ persons.
This year, the global theme “The Power of Communities” will resonate deeply in South Africa, where communities have become both battlegrounds and sanctuaries in the ongoing struggle for equality.
The Department of Social Development, through its participation in the National Task Team on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression And Sex Characteristics SOCIESC – which is co-chaired by the deputy ministers of justice and women, youth and persons with disabilities — will join in commemorations by highlighting state efforts and community-driven solutions to protect and empower LGBTIQA+ individuals.
“We will be using this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia to reaffirm our commitment to building safer, more inclusive communities, especially for those who continue to live in fear simply because of who they are or who they love,” says Chrizelda Coetzee-Groenewald, social work policy manager at the Department of Social Development.
“It is through community engagement and grassroots activism that true change takes root. The power of communities is not just a theme; it is a necessity.”

Violence against LGBTIQA+ persons remains a harsh reality

While South Africa boasts one of the most progressive constitutions in the world, the lived experiences of many LGBTIQA+ people tell a different story.
Already in 2025, at least eight deaths of LGBTIQA+ have been reported publicly, raising renewed alarm over the safety and human rights of this vulnerable group.
Among the most shocking cases was the brutal murder of Imam Muhsin Hendricks, a respected LGBTIQA+ leader in Gqeberha in February this year.
The killing, which sparked outrage and mourning across the country, served as a grim reminder that intolerance, religious conservatism, and hate continue to cost lives, even within faith communities that preach peace and compassion.
Coetzee-Groenewald says the department recognises the deep emotional trauma inflicted not just by physical violence but by everyday discrimination.
“Discrimination doesn’t only come in the form of hate crimes. It can be name-calling, exclusion from family, being denied healthcare, or being bullied at school or in the workplace.
“These experiences are cumulative and damaging, especially for young people who already feel marginalised,” she explains.

Policy and support frameworks

The South African government has responded to these challenges with concrete policy measures.
In March 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide 2020–2030, which explicitly recognises LGBTIQA+ persons as one of the most vulnerable groups.
The NSP commits to:
•⁠ ⁠Awareness campaigns tailored to LGBTIQA+ experiences.
•⁠ ⁠Access to psychosocial support services for survivors.
•⁠ ⁠Capacity building of the workforce to better serve and protect LGBTIQA+ persons.
As part of this strategy, the Department of Social Development continues to train its frontline staff, including social workers, to support LGBTIQA+ clients sensitively.Furthermore, the department will intensify its work with civil society partners in the coming weeks to ensure that the voices of queer communities are not only heard but are central to policy planning and service delivery.

A global backdrop of resistance and repression

The local context mirrors global trends, where hard-won LGBTIQA+ rights are under threat.
From Uganda’s deadly anti-homosexuality laws to the banning of LGBTIQA+ content in Hungary and the online disinformation campaigns in the United States and Brazil, the global LGBTIQA+ community continues to face mounting repression.
Yet, as global conservative forces attempt to roll back rights, community resistance remains a force to be reckoned with.
“The bravery of individuals who continue to live authentically, despite the risks, is a testament to the resilience of the LGBTIQA+ community,” says Coetzee-Groenewald.
“But resilience should never be a survival mechanism. It should be a celebration of strength, not a response to fear.”

Collective action required

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2025 will not only shine a light on the challenges faced by LGBTIQA+ people but also celebrate the strength found in solidarity. Whether in rural villages or urban centres, faith-based spaces or schools, communities will be called upon to reflect, engage, and act.
“Our message this year is clear: hate has no home here.
“The Department of Social Development stands firmly with all marginalised people, and we will continue to use every tool available to advance equality, protect rights, and empower communities to rise against hate,” she said.
As the rainbow flags prepare to fly high on May 17, South Africa will once again signal that its democracy – though often tested – remains committed to justice, dignity, and inclusion for all.