“Democracy is not a spectator sport”
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE PROVIDED BY ILGA WORLD
This year’s ILGA World Conference started with a powerful keynote speech by Mpho Andrea Tutu van Furth, rousing a standing ovation from the 1,400 attendees. Taking place in Cape Town, the first time the conference has been held in Africa in 25 years, the remarkable speech made by the South African Anglican priest, author and activist was a pressing reminder that we must continue to fight against the rise of anti-LGBTQIA rhetoric globally.
The 31st Conference is hosted by Iranti and Gender DynamiX, and both organisations also spoke about the urgent need for solidarity globally. Steve Letsike, a Member of the National Assembly of South Africa, opened the Conference, discussing the need for intersectionality and unity within the LGBTQIA community.
Taking the floor, Mpho Andrea Tutu van Furth, commanded the room with a galvanising speech. “When we walk around thinking that what we won will be there forever, this is when it will be eroded. Democracy is not a spectator sport,” she said.
“We must celebrate our progress and our wins, and we must gather spiritual sustenance for the journey ahead, and speak up for justice.”
The ILGA World Conference brings together hundreds of LGBTQIA human rights defenders and development experts, policymakers, international human rights mechanisms experts, government representatives, researchers, journalists, funders, and allies from over 100 countries worldwide. This year’s theme is “Kwa umoja we rise”.
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