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Hope
Photography
South Africa has come a long way since the end of Apartheid,
and it seems there is a long way to go. Although this is the
only African country in which gay and lesbian persons can
legally marry, and where protection from discrimination is
constitutionally guaranteed, there's still a significant
amount of anti-lgbt violence.
The woman above lives across the
street from a ministry called iThemba Lam (My Hope), a project
of Inclusive and Affirming Ministries. IAM established this
ministry in Oliver Tambo Township to be a voice for the Gospel
values of inclusion and affirmation. It offers bible study and
a safe house, and perhaps most importantly, is an lgbt-positive
presence in the neighborhood. Bulelwa, the outreach worker,
and Yvonne, the manager, have done an amazing job making
connections among the neighbors. This woman asked to have her
photograph taken, but I think I was at least as delighted for
the opportunity to capture some of the hope that she embodied,
as she was to share it.
“Remember many, many years ago when the townships were in
smoke and people were dying? We never thought that we would be
where we are now, but it happened. We never knew that some of
us would have electricity in their houses, never knew that we
would have water inside our houses, and it happened. Those may
be things that look small but they happened and they brought
joy to many, many people in South Africa. So we will have one
day a situation where gay people can speak openly about their
sexuality and their challenges.” Yvonne, South Africa
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