“We demand inclusivity, in the institutions of higher learning” -LGBTQ+ students

 

STHEMBILE NDLOVU 

One of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) residences Four Seasons mostly known as Megalo celebrated pride month last Friday.

Ntokozo Msimango the house committee chairperson at four Seasons and the organizer of this program said they engaged on the issues that the LGBTQ+ students are facing in the institution of higher learning.

“The students under the LGBTQ+ community as they were in celebration of pride month. We engaged around common issues the community face and we all came in conclusion that the most common factor is exclusion. There is not even a single thing that says or that acknowledges that there is this community in the varsity. From the bathrooms not even a single sign of inclusion,” said Msimango.

Msimango continued to speak about the residence structures excluding the LGBTQ+ students.

“There are residence structures in the university such as Qhakaza for woman and where they get a platform to discuss their issues and groom each other and there's also a residence structure as Insika where men groom each other and get  a platform to discuss their issues and the other community there's no inclusion,” Msimango continued.

Lethabo Ngcobo a member of the LGBTQ+ community mentioned some of the resolutions to the issues the community face.

"Students were able to express themselves on how they think institution has not heard their voice especially those are part of the flag community, you sometimes find lecturers being homophobic even the roommates have to criticize you because of who you are," said Ngcobo.

“The RA's should call students at the beginning of the year and tell them that there are these people and they are not aliens but they are people and they should be treated like other people. We would like the institution to recognize the LGBTQI+ community.”

Student Representative Council (SRC) Deputy Secretary General Zethembe Msizi spoke about the importance of the LGBTQ+ community accepting themselves and not minding what other people have to say about them.

"Why do we put it in our minds to say what other people have an opinion in your life, why does it matters what other people think about the certain gender you're attracted to because at the end not everyone will understand who I am,” said Msizi.

“No one can provide space that this space is for gay or lesbians but you must provide the space because you were born in that nature. Being different does not mean you're not a creature or a person but it means your feelings were created in a different way.”