GLAAD withdraws support for COPE

The South African Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (SA GLAAD) herewith announces the withdrawal of it’s support for COPE as a party for which gay and trans citizens should vote in the 2009 elections. SA GLAAD’s reasons for this withdrawal are as follows:

COPE’s choice of Presidential Candidate – The appointment of religious figures in positions of political power and influence as a direct threat to secular democracy;
The appointment of a Presidential Candidate associated with a religious group which has in the past unequivocally demonstrated its opposition to GLBT rights and equality;
COPE’s apparent decision to change into a religious political entity and the threat this poses to equality for all in SA, particularly with reference to GLBT rights.
By appointing a religious figure in such a high office, COPE is taking on the mantle of a religious party - and we anticipate a threat that as such COPE could later form alliances with other religious-cum-political parties which are very, very far from gay friendly and anti-equality. It is no secret that some religious political parties in SA have been trying to reverse every single human rights gain GLBT have made in the last 15 years.

SA GLAAD views a secular democracy as the only safe way forward where ALL people in SA of all faiths, races, cultures and diversities can enjoy freedom and equality together. A President who is also an ordained religious minister and who had filled high offices in religious bodies – would simply by that fact alone ensure that SA would no longer be run by a secular government, but a theocracy – a country whose government is run by a church or religion.

While COPE is portraying Bishop Mvume Dandala as a moderate campaigner for human rights and an esteemed cleric with no agenda against equal rights for GLBT, a major point of concern for gay and transgender people with regard to COPE’s choice of presidential candidate is the discovery that Bishop Dandala is listed as a past Co-Chairperson of a group called SACLA (South African Christian Leadership Assembly).

Many will remember the role SACLA played at the time of the court battles surrounding the passing of legislation which legalized same gender marriage in South Africa. On its website SACLA describes this defeat in 2006 and the move to ‘restore marriage’ quite aggressively and emphatically as a quote “war” unquote. SACLA’s involvement in the fight against same gender marriage reveals this organizations (and ergo it’s leadership’s) narrow views on GLBT rights and equality. When Dr Dandala left this position is unclear, but nevertheless his association with this group is clear.

During his later tenure as head of the AACC (All Africa Conference of Churches) in Kenya, we have found no evidence that he has ever spoken out against or addressed the vicious church and state sponsored persecution of GLBT in African countries such as Uganda. Bearing Dr Dandala's association with a homophobic group like SACLA in mind, it raises questions about the likelihood of his impartiality in the matter of gay rights, specifically pertaining to his aspirations of acting as the country’s next president. Can gay and trans South Africans really expect fair and just treatment with full equal rights under a government led by this man?

Until this turn of events SA GLAAD endorsed both DA and COPE as the only two viable choices for GLBT citizens to vote for in the April elections – but now we no longer see any reason for gay and trans people to vote for COPE, nor to promote it any further.

Christina Engela
South African Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (SA GLAAD)

Tuesday, 25 November 2008: Rita van den Heever - Jannes Eiselen

BravoBrava’s Personality of the Week is Senior Manager of the University of Johannesburg’s Arts Academy and, arguably South Africa’s best-known female TV face and voice. Rita van Heever joins show host Mixael de Kock in the 1485 Radio Today studios tonight at 20:00. You can also hear this popular gay radio show on DStv Audio Channel 169.

Tune in and hear how Rita studied medicine at the University of Pretoria, failed spectacularly after a year dedicated to hedonism and then went on to study drama at UP. Since, her life has been a ball.
Mother of triplets, Rita joined the SABC TV as a film editor in 1973, after a three-month stint of selling dresses at Uniewinkels. When the TV broadcast started in 1976 she became a continuity announcer.

She subsequently presented just about everything on the box, excluding sport and the news. From early on Rita was involved with arts programmes, presenting such programmes as Encore!, Arts on One, presented the direct broadcasts of the Unisa music competitions, direct broadcasts of the symphony concerts and specialist series such as Aan die Lied.

Rita was for many years a member of the SABC Choir, which subsequently became the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg.

She has a number of unmentionable movies and TV dramas to her credit, and she has worked as a journalist for Rooi Rose magazine.

In 1994 she was appointed as the Cultural Officer to the Sandton City Council. She started the Lunch Hour Concerts in the Sandton Art Gallery on Friday afternoons, which is still going strong.

In 1996 she joined the Rand Afrikaans University as Cultural Officer. This opened up a whole new world of arts management, and she has been learning steadily on the job ever since. Over the years the cultural office grew and expanded and became the Arts Academy, and the RAU became the University of Johannesburg.

All the wonderful things culminated in the building of the UJ Arts Centre, the state of the art gallery and theatre situated on the University’s Kingsway Campus in Auckland Park, Johannesburg. This arts complex has become a favourite with Joahnnesburg’s gay community.

Rita and Mixael chat about the reason for this and also why the arts cannot survive without gay people.

Our Special Guest this week has been around the South African acting circles for some time but is probably best-known for his television role as Dr Deon Bekker in the highly acclaimed SABC drama series “Hillside”. Heart-throb Jannes Eiselen joins Mixael and Rita in the studio to talk about the series – the third season of which is coming to an end tonight.

Jannes also tells us how come he was born in New York and raised in South Africa!

Tonight at 20:00: South Africa’s only gay radio show on 1485 Radio Today and, countrywide, on DStv Audio Channel 169.

18 November 2008: Eusebius McKaiser

Our BravoBrava Personality of the Week is Eusebius McKaiser, strategy consultant, Rhodes Scholar at St Antony’s College and working towards the completion of his Oxford Doctorate.

The World Universities Debating Championships described him as one of the world's ten best debaters: A truly extraordinary South African form a mixed race background but who identifies himself as black.

We chat about his views that black gays in South Africa should be responsible for their own liberation, we talk openly about homophobia and racism and also why leaders of most African countries so violently speak out against homosexuality. Also, why there is this misguided idea that homosexuality is not part of the African culture but that it is a Western behaviour superimposed on Africans.

In the debate we touch on the belief that a common culture exists on the Africa continent and to what extent we are dealing with differentiated cultures and disparate values – and differing moral attitudes towards homosexuality - as one moves from South to North and East to West Africa.

The influence of Islam and Christianity on molding contemporary popular views of African homosexuality is considered as we muse about what Africa could have been like before the colonial era. Can we assume that there may have been very different cultural approaches to homosexuality before Western ideas and organized religions invaded the continent?

Eusebius McKaiser is an adept social and political analyst and widely published in the local media, commenting on issues of identity, with a particular interest in race, sex, sexuality and culture.

Don’t miss this lively and straightforward chat on BravoBrava at 20:00 on 1485 RadioToday and DStc Audio Channel 169.

Our Special Guest this week is a long-standing friend of BravoBrava, Judy Page, who will be telling us about her forthcoming musical tribute to love titled: "Let There Be Love".

There will only be 2 performances: Saturday 29 November at 19:00 and Sunday 30 November at 18:30.

For more information contact Melissa on 011 486 0935 or info@foxwood.co.za

TICKETS AT R90 PER PERSON

OR HER AGENT MAIRI SURTEES CAMERON OF AFRO CELT PRODUCTIONS
ON 011 477 3352 OR 083 395 1014 OR cameroon@telkomsa.net

Tuesday, 14 October 2008, Adieu Tracey Sandilands

In tonight’s edition of BravoBrava we will be reporting back on Joburg Pride 2008 and the volunteers involved in the staging of this mammoth event on the city’s calendar.

Tracey Sandilands, the Administrator of Joburg Pride joins show host, Mixael de Kock, to chat about Pride and Prejudice.

Tracey also is a seasoned professional in the areas of marketing, communication, public relations, events organisation and general management. Join in this broadcast and hear all about Tracey’s life as she and her life partner, Janine, prepares to translocate to Canada where Tracey will head up PRIDE Toronto.

Our Special Guest this week is the Sasol Wax Art Competition winner who was announced at a spectacular function at the University of Johannesburg’s Art Centre last night.

The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Ntombazana Botha, who confessed that she did not quite know what was going on.

Hentie van der Merwe is senior lecturer in fine arts at the University of Stellenbosch and returned from a six year stay in Belgium during last year.

Hentie will talk about his conceptual artwork that won him the coveted prize. Congratulations to Hentie!
And, BravoBrava will be extending special birthday wishes to two very special boys from South Africa’s gay community. Don’t miss out on this one!

In the photograph above Coenie Kukkuk captains the Therapy Viva La Glam float, populated by th country's most beautiful boys! What an eye Coenie has!

In the photograph on the right Coenie strikes a naval pose!

Coenie Kukkuk, editor of Gayspeak, accompanied by the Poster Boys, were invited to Mixael de Kock's after Joburg Pride to get ready for the evening’s outing to Therapy and RuPaul's show. The gathering was served high tea with cupcakes iced in every shade of pink and, with glitter on top!

The latest Gayspeak is online. What a great publication Coenie! Congratulatiosn to you and your team!

Listeners can access this fabulous online e-magazine, free of charge, at http://www.gayspeak.co.za/

In this month’s edition – The Halloween Edition – you will find:

1. The results – and photos – of the Picture Perfect male model search.

2. Pride Pics and how to get to other galleries.

3. ‘A Critique of Sonja Herholdt’s show at Legends, and Karin Hougaard’s Shirley Bassey show, as well as this artist’s forthcoming performance at Legendss – also the shows of Sharleen Surtie-Richards, Amanda Strydom, and many more.

4.Nightclub news – Halloween party, Flip a Coin and more.

5 Read all about the flea market and antique auction at the farmer’s market just outside Pretoria.

6. Photos and write-up pertaining to writer Lidia Theron and pastor Philip Liebenberg’s talks about their respective books. There is also a review of Phillip’s book by Lidia Theron
7. Great competitions to win tickets to the shows “Dalliance”, Cathy Specific’s “Mile High” and Monte Casino’s “For Your Ears Only”.

8. Win some excellent “Dry Shave Gel” from Manology.

9. News on Graham Norton.

10.A Cher look-a-like competition for the Pink Loerie 2009.

11. Pics of sexy new golf star Camillo Vegas.
On 1485 Radio Today and, countrywide on DStv Audio Channel 169: The only show of its kind in all of Africa!

Tuesday 16 September 2008 - Jenni Green

HEREUNDER:

• Telkom theft delays GAYSPEAK
• TRIO ON A TRIP - Pianist Charl de Plessis at Centurion theatre on 19 September, 20.00 - see write-up on http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com/
• “CRAZY DIAMOND – A Tribute to Pink Floyd” set to get rockers grooving at The Victory Theatre! see write-up on http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com/
• Out in Africa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival - Diary of events - also see http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com/ for write-ups on movies
• SHOW EVENING at LEGENDS Tuesday 23 September!- Meet LIDIA THERON & PHILIP LIEBENBERG and see show by GUILLAUME - write-up on http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com
• Theatre Highlights at Johasnnesburg's Tesson theatre and the Old Mutual on the Square Theatre. see http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com for write-ups on "Hello and Goodbye" as well as "Pregnant Pause"
• RUPAUL FILM PREMIERE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR JOBURG PRIDE
  Our BravoBrava Personality of the Week is a board member of Joburg Pride and also the Managing Member of Tanjent Events which was founded with another prominent member of the gay community and also a long-standing friend of this popular radio show.
  
  Jenni Green chats to show host Mixael de Kock about the responsibilities, perils and pitfalls associated with being a director of a Section 21 company such as Joburg Pride.

As the managing member of Tanjent Events, Jenni’s days are filled to the brim with sports events concept development and execution, operational planning and logistics, route planning and management as well as overall project management.

During the interview the listener will learn how Jenni came to choose a career in marketing and communication and how her studies qualified her eventually to become a force of note within the South African sports promotions arena.

Jenni speaks frankly about the inner turmoil of coming to terms with being lesbian and coming out to her family. She also discusses the bumpy road that eventually led to a blissful relationship with another giant in the field of sports promotions.

The interview also explores the criticisms surrounding Joburg Pride, the wisdom of classing a number of diverse sexual orientations under one umbrella and, ways of promoting greater cooperation between these different groupings.

TELKOM THEFT DELAYS GAYSPEAK

As you probably have noticed, there is a slight delay in sending out Gayspeak 75. Editor, Coenie Kukkuk tells us that their webdesigners had their Telkom lines stolen, and are trying their best to get back on air with Iburst and so on.

Coenie sasys they hope to go live on Monday. We are holding thumbs!

What you can expect - Gayspeak 75:1

• The biggest news surrounding Pride is of course that RuPaul will give a live show at Therapy’s After Party at Carfax (see hereunder). Remember that your ticket to the premiere of her movie in Jhb and Pta on the 2nd and 3rd respectively, gives you entry to the After Party as well – plus – win a wonderful hamper and four sets of entry tickets!
• All about Pride 2008
• Lidia Theron, skrywer en Gayspeak medewerker, besoek Gauteng en lewer praatjies oor haar boek saam met Philip Liebenberg op die 23e Sept. by Legends om 8nm presies, gevolg deur ‘n live show deur Guillaume
• Results of Mr & Miss Legends 2008
• Some pics from Oppikoppi 2008
• Johan Strydom se oorwinning oor NG Kerk Immoreleta
• uus oor Die Kaalkop Waarheid se nuwe CD
• Pics of Ellen and Portia’s wedding
• Wonderful shows by Sonja Herholdt, Flip A Coin, Dihan, Charl du Plessis and Nataniël, Mamma Mia! and many more
• A Botox Discount
• News on the new Wrapped mag
• Win tickets to Cathy Specific's new show
• 'n Afikaanse kort-kort verhaal
• And much, much more

www.gayspeak.co.za

Live on Monday afternoon latest

Events at the Out In Africa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Killarney Mall. The Festival runs until Sunday 14 September. Tickets are R25

Wednesday 10:
The Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW) will present the film Underneath and engage with the Director / Writer / Actress Katrina Deaton. Screening begins at 7.30pm
Saturday 13:
Janine Preesman (Glorious Light MCC) and Douglas Torr (Anglican priest) will conduct a Q&A session after the 7.30pm screening of the Oscar nominated documentary For The Bible Tells Me So.

RUPAUL FILM PREMIERE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR JOBURG PRIDE

There’s a fun and glamorous opportunity to support Joburg Pride at this year’s Cinema Nouveau screened by Fish Eagle Pride Film Festival. The festival, which is independent from Joburg Pride, will be hosting two exclusive fund-raising premieres of the film Starrbooty starring the outrageous international drag diva RuPaul.

RuPaul, who plays the main character, will be appearing in person at the film's glamorous South African premieres on Thursday, October 2nd at Ster-Kinekor Classic, the Zone, Rosebank in Joburg and in Pretoria at Brooklyn's Cinema Nouveau screened by Fish Eagle on Friday the 3rd. Mike Ruiz, the film’s director, will also appear at the premieres.

And that’s not all. Buying a ticket to one of the premieres will ensure free entry into Therapy’s Viva la Glam Pride After-party at Carfax in Newtown, one of a number of Pride after-parties across the city.

Tickets for the Starrbooty premieres cost R150 each and all proceeds will be donated by Ster-Kinekor Theatres and Therapy to the non-profit company that runs Joburg Pride on behalf of the gay and lesbian community.

“It is truly an honour for Ster-Kinekor Theatres to host the world’s one and only drag superstar! We can’t wait to premiere RuPaul’s latest film at our prestigious Pride Film Festival as well as raising funds to further show our support for the local gay / lesbian / trangendered communities,” says Paul Burton, Ster-Kinekor Bookings Executive.

“We greatly appreciate the support from both Ster-Kinekor Theatres and Therapy for graciously donating the proceeds of their premieres to Joburg Pride,” says Tanya Harford, Co-chair of Joburg Pride. “We urge the lesbian and gay community to show their support for Pride by buying tickets to these fantastic premieres.”

Tickets can be purchased at Ster-Kinekor Classic The Zone and Cinema Nouveau Brooklyn box offices, by calling TicketLine 082 16789 or at http://www.sterkinekor.com/.

Joburg Pride 2008

The 2008 Joburg Pride Festival, which is organised by a not-for-profit company of volunteer board members, will take place from 29 September to 4 October 2008. The 19th annual Pride Parade will be held on Saturday 4 October starting at and returning to Zoo Lake Sports Club from 9am. The Parade will be followed by a concert. The theme for Joburg Pride in 2008 is ‘Love, not Hate.’ It aims to highlight the recent spate of hate crimes against members of the gay community; especially black lesbians such as Eudy Simelane, Zoliswa Nkonyana, Sizakele Sigasa and Salome Masooa who were all brutally murdered because of their sexual orientation. For more information visit http://www.joburgpride.org/.

Cinema Nouveau screened by Fish Eagle Pride Film Festival
The Cinema Nouveau screened by Fish Eagle Pride Film Festival takes place at Rosebank (26 Sept - 4 Oct), Brooklyn (26 Sept - 3 Oct), V&A Waterfront (3 Oct - 11 Oct) and Gateway (3 Oct - 9 Oct). Booking and information gathering options are on offer at Cinema Nouveau screened by Fish Eagle, including online bookings either on your WAP-enabled cell phone or PC at : http://www.sterkinekor.com/ or by calling TicketLine 082 16789 (value added service rates apply), or book in cinema at the self service terminals (SSTs) or Box Offices. The novel Touchmart Transaction Access Points (TAP) now offer an even easier means of booking a movie ticket, and are located nationally with convenient access from supermarkets to civic centres.

Tuesday 9th September 2008 - Liesl Theron & Gender Dynamix

HEREUNDER:

• Legends @ Legends - Meet Lidia Theron, Philip Liebenberg and Guillaume
• TRIO ON A TRIP - Pianist Charl de Plessis at Centurion theatre on 19 September, 20.00 see write-up on http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com/
• Out in Africa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival - Diary of events - also see http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com/ for write-ups on movies

BravoBrava's Personality of the Week is the Director of Gender Dynamix, the only registered NGO looking after transgender matters in Africa.

We caught Liesl Theron between arriving at Johannesburg Airport from Seattle in the UInited States and departing for her hometown - which is the little village of Cape Town.

Liesl chats engagingly about transgender people and the challenges they face in a very intolerant society.

Gender DynamiX is a Human Rights organisation promoting freedom of expression of gender identity, focusing on transgender, transsexual and gender non-confirming identities. It is currently the only registered organisation within Africa which specifically advocates for transgender individuals.

Gender DynamiX aim is to increase awareness and visibility of transgenderism in South Africa and also to support transgender people to access their human rights through its activities.

Transgender:

The sense of self is in conflict with the gender assigned to you at birth and its corresponding stereotypical roles.

Transsexual:

Transsexual people may seek medical treatment to bring their body and gender identity into alignment.

Not all transsexual people undergo reassignment surgery, for various reasons. High medical costs, unemployment, access to information and limited medical care are some of the factors.

Cross Dresser / Transvestite:

A person who dresses in the clothing of the opposite sex. Being a transvestite does not mean that you are gay.

Drag Queen:

Being a drag queen is about the occasional portrayal of the opposite gender with an emphasis on performance and fun.

FTM (female to male), often called trans man:

Chosen gender is male; he starts out with a female body.

MTF (male to female), often called trans woman:

Chosen gender is female; she starts out with a male body.

Androgyne:

Person appearing and identifying neither man nor woman, presenting a gender either mixed or neutral.

Intersex:

Intersex people (sometimes called “hermaphrodites”, to use a term many activists prefer to avoid) are people whose physical sexual differentiation at birth is not typical. This may involve chromosomal patterns which are not typical, and often involves ambiguous genitalia. Some intersex people develop gender identity issues later on in life.

SOFFA:

Significant Other, Family, Friends and Allies.
What Gender Dynamix does:

· assist trans people to access their rights, and to provide South African relevant information on services and support;

· ensure that trans people are aware of their rights in their communities, at work and when accessing services;

· educate both people in the trans community and non-trans people, this includes media, employers, activists, researchers, students and the general public;

· ensure that medical- and mental health professionals have access to information and to lobby for quality medical treatment, care and access to health care benefits. Medical treatment is a pivotal factor in transgender issues. The lack of materials to the medical community currently has severe irreversible implications for transgender individuals.

· provide a safe space for the transgender community to share information, stories and experiences and to participate in the organisation’s development, as well as in social and political processes.

· create a much needed history and positive identity for South African transgender people;

· contribute, encourage and stimulate academic and scientific research in Africa on transgenderism; and

· collaborate, partner with other NGO’s to strengthen the LGBTI and human rights sector.

Transgenderism is not unAfrican or Western. The word transgender is fairly new, dating back to the early ’90 – but the existence of transgender was always there.

“At the age of six I already knew how to differentiate between Male and Female. I knew that I was in a female body but did not identify as one when I was growing up, I heard about a myth which stated that if a crab bit you, your gender will change to the opposite one. I always wanted it to bite me but I was scared of the pain that it was going to give me.
Later at the age of 15 I had a calling to become a Sangoma( traditional herbal healer) and when my family investigated it they discovered that the Ancestor that wanted me to practice the herbal healing was my great grandfather, because of this they then started to believe that my male behaviour comes from that Ancestor. They started to become more accommodating and accepting of my feelings and decisions that I made regarding my gender.
Neighbours were curious to know how my family dealt with how I address myself. My parents always used my Ancestors as the justifying reason for my male behaviour. They always said “He inherited in from his great grandfather”. People started to accept me and became friendly towards me because they respected my Ancestors wish.
I personally think that even if my Ancestors did not choose to call me I was still going to be a transgender person. “

How to deal with Transgender matters:

1. A short guide to the what - not’s

NO - Never ever use the words Tranny, Trassie, She-Male, Hermaphrodite or any other slang words when reporting on Trans people.

Yes Always use Trans man, Trans woman for people who have transitioned or are in the process of transitioning. See list below for extended terminologies.

No Never call Trans men and Trans women by the popular reference -Transvestite.
Transvestites do not change their gender. They are people who just dress in clothes of their opposite sex.

NO Never, under any circumstance, refer to Trans people under the blanket term Gay.

Transgender is not about sexual preference, it is about gender. Trans people run the gamut of sexualities - gay bisexual and heterosexual. Calling them gay would be like assuming and asserting that all feminists are lesbians.

2. He or She?:

When writing about transgender people, the correct way to refer to them is by their chosen gender.

When talking or reporting about a person who has transitioned from female to male, the correct pronouns would be the masculine form like for any other kind of male.

E.g. “He realized that his female body did not match his sense of self”

E.g.: Robert Hamblin used to be a woman but has transitioned to a man, thus one now refers to him as him and he.

Of course the same transition applies to people who have transitioned from male to female.

With intersex people and gender queer people it would be best to ask how these people would like to be referred to.

www.genderdynamiX.org.za

BOOK AND SHOW EVENING @ LEGENDS Tuesday 23/9 WITH LIDIA THERON & PHILIP LIEBENBERG, AND SHOW BY GUILLAUME

Well-known writer, Lidia Theron, and new kid on the block, Philip Liebenberg, writer of "Daar's 'n gay pastoor in my kop" (There is a gay pastor in my head), will give talks on their respective books and sit for a Q&A session at Pretoria gay nightclub, Legends, on Tuesday, the 23rd of September at 8pm. The versatile singer Guillaume will do a show thereafter, which will be followed by the dance floor opening, as the next day is a public holiday. It promises to be yet another night of wonderful diversity at Legends. Entry is only R50, and R30 for students.

About Lidia:
It is not too late if you haven’t yet read the book Jy bly my kind, written by Lidia Theron, to do so now. It is a must. It is about a mother’s acceptance of a gay child. The book is not meant necessarily for gay people or for the parents of such children only. Lots of other people said after reading the book, that it was very informative and gave them a different view of gay people. The publisher’s comment on the back of the book:

"What is a mother’s reaction when she finds out her daughter is in love with another girl – or her son with another boy?

How does she comfort her husband when he cries out: “We have lost our child!”?

How does she handle questions like: “What will people say?” or: “What did we as parents do wrong?”

How does she deal with the shame and feelings of guilt that accompanies it?

How does it affect her standing as a believer, towards her church?"

The book has since changed the lives of many gay people and their families and it's an honour to have Lidia, who is a pensioner and resides in Betty's Bay, SW Cape, here in Gauteng as guest.

About Philip:
Philip Liebenberg is the pastor of Die Kapel, Melville, Johannesburg, South-Africa. He also authors the series 'Espresso vir jou siel', which is a series of books containing essays and devotional writings as well as sermons preached by Philip. Philip is a gay pastor although his congregation is not a gay-only church.He is a published author: Penguin South Africa published a book on his life journey as a very spiritual child and later as a married pastor, struggling to come to terms with his sexuality and spirituality. The title of the book is "Daar is 'n gay pastoor in my kop!"What makes Philip’s book so unique is that he comes from a Pentecostal/Charismatic background and this is the first time in South Africa that a book by someone (a gay pastor) coming from one of these churches is being published. Following in the footsteps of the groundbreaking '‘n Kas is vir klere', this book will give voice to the experiences of numerous gay and lesbian Christians from a Pentecostal/Charismatic background, who not only have to deal with the usual rejection from their churches when they realise they are gay, but with the terrible stigma of being labelled as “demon possessed”.

About Guillaume:

Guillaume needs no introduction - since his very popular album "Da-Idi" in 2001, he has since launched several more. He was one of the top 5 most favourite artists at KKNK 2003, where he launched his album "Swart of wit", which has since gone gold. He is back in 2008, with his new look and his new album, called "Nader aan jou", produced by Coleske Artists, who was also responsible for Eden's latest success, "Knieë lam".

The authors will be available for book signing and a chat afterwards, and books will be on hand for sale to the public (cash only).

Gayspeak.co.za

Edited by: Coenie Kukkuk

Contact: wbvd@law.co.za

Events at the Out In Africa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Killarney Mall. The Festival runs until Sunday 14 September. Tickets are R25.

Monday 8:

Lisa Gornick, Director of Tick Tock Lullaby will do a Q&A after the 7pm screening

Tuesday 9:

Director Bennett Singer and Walter Naegel will present and do Q&A for the film Brother Outsider (Edwin Cameron's choice), screens at 7pm

Director Jamie Babbit and Producer Lias Thrasher will present and do Q&A for their film Itty Bitty Titty Committee, screens at 7.15pm

Jewish OuLlook are presenting the film The Bubble. There will be a panle discussion with david Bilchitz and lael bethlehem after the 7.30pm screening

Wednesday 10:

The Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW) will present the film Underneath and engage with the Director / Writer / Actress Katrina Deaton. Screening begins at 7.30pm

Saturday 13:

Janine Preesman (Glorious Light MCC) and Douglas Torr (Anglican priest) will conduct a Q&A session after the 7.30pm screening of the Oscar nominated documentary For The Bible Tells Me So.

Photographed in the BravoBrava studios (from l to r) our Personality of the Week, Hugh Fraser, director of Out in Africa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Nodi Murphy, show host Mixael de Kock and physics guru Shane Wilson.

Like the inheritance of blue, brown or green eyes and red, blond or black hair, being gay is not a choice but a biological reality. Let us then proudly celebrate the colour that gay and lesbian people bring to this world as Joburg Pride ensures you your rightful place in the heart of South Africa’s culturally and biologically diverse rainbow nation.

Mixael de Kock
Executive Producer and Presenter
BRAVOBRAVA
South Africa’s only gay radio show broadcasting on:
1485 Radio Today and countrywide on DStv Audio Channel 169