Let’s forgo labels and experience richness in our diversity

IN JUNE, our focus moves to the rights and the needs of the marginalised. Pride is a time to celebrate our community – yes, to be reminded of the difficult road we have walked, celebrate the resilience of our community and our victories, and recommit to continue advocating for our full human rights.

My organisation, Safe Place International, works to advance the human rights of LGBTQIA+ members of the refugee community in South Africa.

This is a group of brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers who face the spectres of xenophobia, transphobia, and homophobia in every aspect of their lives. Despite this, they are contributing members of society who have stories of success to share.

On July 1, graduates of Safe Place International’s Dream Academy in Cape Town will be sharing their stories as they celebrate their successful completion of this intensive training and skills development programme.

These graduates will go on to assume leadership positions within our organisation or join other NGOs. Some will start their own projects or small businesses. The common link will be their continued dedication to uplifting other members of the LGBTQIA+ refugee community.

Safe Place International works with LGBTQIA+ members in the refugee community throughout the year, even after the social media crowd and corporates have taken down their Pride Flag emojis and profile pics. We do this work because there are still too many of us who are killed, raped, and harassed every single day simply because of who we are.

Safe Place International is dedicated to giving the members of the LGBTQIA+ refugee community the tools and resources – and love – to become the leaders of tomorrow. In this month of Pride, we invite you to join us to move past the labels of “gay”, “queer”, and “refugee” to experience the full richness and potential of this diverse community.

I am grateful to see the many examples of refugees who are actively contributing to their communities. Instead of needing assistance and aid, they have become leaders who are helping others in need. This is a major milestone on a very important journey to acceptance and celebration.

There is an important lesson for all of us. You build a community by embracing people who are different than you. It requires real bridge building to get to know people of a different nationality or sexual persuasion, but it leads to a richer and more diverse community that thrives.

A lot has been done, and a lot has been achieved, but there is still a lot of work that lies and waits for all of us. As we commemorate World Refugee Week (20-26 June) and the International Day for Refugees (20 June), let’s take hands and acknowledge the part we all must play on this important journey.