As Pride Month drew to a close, Buffalo City launched its first-ever Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) on October 28.
The alliance is envisioned as a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community as well as a network for organizations and institutions working to advance reproductive and sexual rights locally.
GSA committee member, Dr. Madeleine Muller, said the alliance intended to host various events, social and informative, to improve social inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people at local healthcare facilities, schools, universities, and in business.
Education and awareness is an important parts of GSA’s focus.
Muller said: “Though East London is a metro, it actually feels more like a village.
“We are a collection of many tight-knit communities and are removed from many of the developments in the big cities. It is one of East London’s charms, but also one of the obstacles to embracing new ideas and social progression.
“As a result, queer spaces are almost non-existent and invisible in East London and the narratives in schools, entertainment, health care, and so forth are largely focused on the normative heterosexual, cis-gendered experience.
“We believe it is possible to still hold onto your own cultural and religious identity and become more accepting of the full range of human diversity.” She said GSA had found that with increased acceptance of gender diversity and sexuality, and more young people able to express their experiences, there had been a reduction in the high rate of suicide among this group, locally and nationally.
In 2023, the GSA will be hosting various social events and aims to organize the first-ever Pride March in East London.
Savuka Matyila, from Gender Dynamix, said: “Too often we work in silos and so our impact is not felt.
“We feel very isolated but with an alliance, that sense of community will be strengthened.”
Muller said: “I hope that eventually every clinic, every GP practice, every educational establishment, and every business will have been touched in some way, and hope many of them will engage in a process of transformation and inclusivity.
“Most of all, I hope that every child who is part of our diverse human experience feels welcome and safe to be just who they are and be affirmed in their identity and individuality.”
GSA membership is open to anyone interested in joining.
To do so, or for more information, contact Muller at 074-102-8137.
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