• Stop Press: Same Sex Marriages in South Africa
• Stop Press: Gay and Lesbian Mass Action required
• Monthly Reflection
• Worship Attendance, Collection, Pledges
• National Lesbian Conference
• Church Calendar
• Prayer Requests

Stop Press - Same Sex Marriages in South Africa

The Joint Working Group (of which Good Hope MCC is a member) issued the following statement:

On 1 December 2005 the Constitutional Court unanimously ruled that the exclusion of same sex couples from the institution of marriage infringes their right to dignity, equality and privacy. The Court has presented Parliament with an historic opportunity to deepen its commitment to human rights. This calls for a recognition of same sex marriage which carries equal legal and social status. By doing so, we realise the promise of equality which lies at the heart of our historical struggle against all forms of discrimination.

LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) equality has long been part of the human rights agenda and liberation struggle in South Africa. As far back as 1987 Thabo Mbeki, then Director of Information for the ANC, wrote that "The ANC is indeed very firmly committed to removing all forms of discrimination and oppression in a liberated South Africa….That commitment must surely extend to the protection of gay rights". This promise was partly realised in South Africa’s landmark post-apartheid
Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. With this brave step, South Africa set a standard for the world to follow, calling on our citizens to transcend old divisions and prejudices.

LGBT equality can coexist alongside religious freedom. In line with our history and our Constitution, the Department of Home Affairs has drafted a Marriage Amendment Bill (1 August, 2006, available at www.pmg.org.za/docs/2006/060801draftbill.pdf) capable of balancing LGBT equality and religious freedom. The Bill’s gender-neutral definition of marriage would finally permit LGBT people in South Africans to socially and legally sanction their relationships under the existing marriage law. The enactment of the Bill will not require religious institutions to recognize same sex marriages nor will it require officials to marry same sex couples. In this way everyone is protected and treated with equal respect.

The Constitutional Court judgment on same sex marriage asserted that, "What is at stake is not simply a question of removing an injustice experienced by a particular section of the community. At issue is a need to affirm the very character of our society as one based on tolerance and mutual respect".

As members of the human rights community, we call on our country’s leadership to adopt the current Department of Home Affair’s draft Marriage Amendment Bill (1 August, 2006)

Stop Press - Gay and Lesbian Mass Action Required

During the public hearings of the Marriage Amendment Bill Triangle Project is co-ordinating a peaceful picket outside Parliament in support of our Human Rights.

We are asking as many people to join. Placards will be provided - or bring your own. Make your voices heard.

For more information call Triangle Project on (021) 448-3812 or visit www.triangle.org.za . We need your support!

Monthly Reflection

For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven

By Cecilia Eggleston
Ecclesiastes 3:1

One of things that I LOVE about being in MCC, is that we live in the land of “firsts”. We are still such a new Fellowship and we have so many opportunities to do something for the first time. I look around the region, and see so many “firsts”. The book produced by Thierry Sereno and Jean Vilbas about the lives of lbgt Christians and their families is the first book of its kind ever published in France. Janine Preesman is the first MCC minister to be legally licensed to perform gay marriage in South Africa. Even back in our history, MCC London was the first ever lesbian and gay organisation to be given charitable status by the UK Government.

In order for “firsts” to happen, there also have to be “lasts”. We have to let go of some things, so that others can grow and flourish. As I come to the end of my time as Regional Elder, I am in the season of “lasts”. I have completed my last full weekend visit with a fabulous visit to MCC Newcastle. My last preaching engagement will be this weekend at Living Springs MCC, and then I travel to my last Board of Elders meeting in Florida, USA.


One thing we know from nature is that the seasons roll on. This season of “lasts” will run its course and a new season of “firsts” will begin. There will new opportunities and new experiences – gifts from a God who does not fail me.

The amazing thing about our relationship with God is that each day is a new “first”. Each day, we are able to start all over again, break new ground, learn something more about God, about ourselves, about our own purpose in bringing God’s dominion a little closer. Whatever the season we are experiencing, we can always do a new thing with God.

During this month, I invite you to:

• Think about the season you are experiencing just now
• Give thanks to God for all those who are willing to risk being first – going into unknown territory
• Remind yourself each morning that today is a new day in God and all things are possible.

God Bless

Cecilia

Worship Service Attendance, Collection, Pledges

National Lesbian Conference

Building Bridges, Sharing Spaces was the theme of  the National Lesbian Conference held at Constitutional Hill, Johannesburg, 5-8 August. Participants from all 11 provinces attended and some days there were close to 90 people!

Various topics were on the agenda for discussion. When participants were asked in the opening session what their expectations for the conference was, various motivations and answers came across; such as: „I am the mother of 4 children, a rape survivor and living with HIV/AIDS and want to share and teach other lesbians to be inclusive and accepting of lesbians who are also mothers. Another volunteer who works for TAC in the Eastern Cape wanted to learn more about gender, gender identity and how that relates to their clients. Mary Hames of University Western Cape said she is there to share her experience regarding young people and how they interact and where they find safe spaces. Bronwynne Perreira of the Foundation for Human Rights commented that we have a great constitution but where is the impact? She also said that we can’t rely on the state to protect us.

According to government and many other African leaders, including traditional leaders, homosexuals do not exist (or not in their cultures). It is actually quite remarkable then how many lesbians are raped – for being so „invisible“, the statistics are proof of one hell of a contradiction!

The conference stretched over 4 full days, and were they ever full!! Many discussion points, such as where do we start to empower ourselves?, to move beyond marginalization, capacity building and education, human rights issues, and many more were covered. Some of the guest speakers were Mary Hames from UWC, Dr Pumla Gqola from CSIR, Carry Shelver from POWA, Donna Smit from FEW, Liesl Theron from Gender DynamiX, Zanele Muholi an independent photographer, Prishani Naidoo and Dawn Cavanagh from GAF. Another very enlightening speech was given by a transsexual lesbian and her experiences of marginalization.

Evenings closed off with equally good programmes, such as poetry readings, open debates, story telling, movies shared and presented by Sally Shackleton from WomensNet. One of the other highlights of the programme was the short play, by SAFRO DYKES, the theatre group from FEW.

It was a conference full of emotion, sharing, joy and empowerment! May this become a growing annual event!

TAC – Treatment Action Campaign, UWC – University of Western Cape, CSIR – Council for Science and Industrial Research, POWA – People Opposing Women Abuse, FEW – Forum for Empowerment of Women, GAF – Gender Aids Forum

Church Calendar

Please pray for

• Vision 2007 Process
• Region 4 conference in Hanover/Germany