Gays to pinklist 'homophobes'
2002-08-03 14:03
Cape Town - South African individuals, institutions and companies who are
alleged to be homophobic will be targeted by gay activists from
Tuesday when a website goes on line aimed at, among other things,
naming and shaming.
The Constitution entrenches the right not to be discriminated
against because of one's sexual orientation.
A life insurance company which allegedly refused to pay out
benefits to a lesbian's partner, the Nederduitse Gereformeerde
Church and politicians like Western Cape premier Marthinus van
Schalkwyk and his predecessor Peter Marais are among those who
have been "pinklisted".
Gay rights activist Juan-Duval Uys told Sapa that the power of
the "pink rand" (money spent by gay people) should not be
underestimated.
The website would advertise companies who were gay-friendly, but
would not hesitate to target those who were not.
Companies who were to be "pinklisted" would be given two weeks'
notice and an opportunity to rebut the charges, he said.
'We will not be silenced'
The "pinklist" already contained 34 names and would be updated
daily at 19:00 from next week.
On possible court action by those who have been targeted, Uys
said: "We're ready for that. We'll definitely defend. We will not
be silenced."
Asked why Van Schalkwyk had been named, he said the NNP leader
had refused to apologise for his party's attitude towards gay
people during apartheid.
Van Schalkwyk's spokesman, Riaan Aucamp, told Sapa on Saturday:
"It is strange that they are contemplating putting the premier's
name on the list when he upholds the Constitution which protects
the rights of all."
Marais, on the other hand, had made homophobic comments which
had resulted in calls for his resignation, Duval said.
He was referring to claims by Marais that sexual harassment
allegations against him were the work of a gay lobby in the
Democratic Alliance who was seeking to destroy him because of his
views on homosexuals.
Marais sought to defuse the growing controversy over his remarks
by saying he respected homosexuals as part of the "colourful
rainbow nation".
He later quit in the wake of a sex scandal, when a former
employee laid a charge against him.
- SAPA