Uthingo Network

This month we celebrate the theme: "Living Authentically: Every Identity, Every Story, Every Expression."

We collaborated with PFSAQ to host a community engagement session for parents, families, and friends of LGBTQIA+ persons in Mpophomeni. The session created a safe and respectful space for participants to explore S*xual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and S*x Characteristics (SOGIESC), while encouraging open dialogue, learning, and reflection.

Through honest conversations and information-sharing, participants unpacked common misconceptions and stereotypes about LGBTQIA+ people, gained accurate information, and developed a deeper understanding of the diverse lived experiences within the q***r community. The engagement also highlighted the vital role that families, friends, and communities play in affirming identities, fostering acceptance, and creating environments where LGBTQIA+ people can live with dignity, safety, and a genuine sense of belonging.

This engagement forms part of our ongoing commitment to advancing awareness, strengthening community support, and promoting the inclusion and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ persons and their families.
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Sibambisane ne-PFSAQ ukuhlela iseshini yokuxhumana nomphakathi yabazali, imindeni nabangane babantu be-LGBTQIA+ eMpophomeni. Lesi sikhathi sakhe indawo ephephile nenokuhloniphana lapho ababambiqhaza bakwazi khona ukufunda nokuxoxa nge-S*xual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, kanye ne-S*x Characteristics (SOGIESC), kuyilapho kugqugquzelwa izingxoxo ezivulekile, ukufunda nokuzindla.

Ngokusebenzisa izingxoxo eziqotho nokwabelana ngolwazi, ababambiqhaza bakwazile ukuhlaziya nokuchitha imibono eyiphutha nezinkolelo ezingamanga ezivame ukubhekiswa kubantu be-LGBTQIA+, bathola ulwazi oluqondile futhi baqonda kangcono izimo nezimpilo ezahlukahlukene eziphilwa abantu abasemphakathini we-q***r. Ingxoxo iphinde yagqamisa indima ebalulekile edlalwa yimindeni, abangane kanye nemiphakathi ekuqinisekiseni ububona babantu, ekukhuthazeni ukwamukelana, nasekwakheni izindawo lapho abantu be-LGBTQIA+ bengaphila khona ngesithunzi, ngokuphepha nangomuzwa wokwamukeleka nokuba yingxenye yomphakathi.

Lokhu kuhlanganyela nomphakathi kuyingxenye yokuzibophezela kwethu okuqhubekayo ekwandiseni ukuqwashisa, ekuqiniseni ukwesekwa komphakathi, nasekukhuthazeni ukubandakanywa kanye nenhlalakahle yabantu be-LGBTQIA+ kanye nemindeni yabo.

LGBTQ+ Mental Health Resource Aims to Support Conversion Therapy Survivors in Africa - MambaOnline - LGBTQ South Africa online A resource has been launched to help African mental health providers support LGBTQ+ survivors of conversion therapy with affirming care.