South Africa Sends Powerful Pro-Gay Statement to the Rest of the Continent

below are 2 positive stories

<South Africa just took a bold step forward for gay rights on the continent — and most people around the world probably missed it.

South Africa legalized same-sex marriage in 2006 and has long allowed gays to serve openly in the military. However, its neighbors have not been so quick to embrace same-sex equality. Given this environment, news that South Africa had appointed its first mixed-race lesbian to the nation's cabinet is not only a big deal, but is also a bold statement signalling that progress is slowly, but surely, coming to the region.

All of which is why the appointment of Lynne Brown as the public enterprises minister as the first openly LGBT figure is, indeed, such a big deal. A former teacher, Brown was premier of the Western Cape until her party lost control of government.

In a country where homophobia and sexism strongly are still a large part of the culture, her appointment is significant and symbolic. >

http://www.policymic.com/articles/89971/south-africa-just-sent-a-powerful-pro-gay-statement-to-the-rest-of-the-continent

also South Africa Gets Its First Openly Gay Parliamentarian

On Wednesday, South African member of parliament Zakhele Mbhele made history when he was sworn in, becoming the first openly gay black member of parliament in any African nation, according to South Africa's Mamba Online.

http://www.advocate.com/world/2014/05/30/south-africa-gets-its-first-openly-gay-parliamentarian