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Caster Semenya - media witch hunt could lead to hate crimes

 

The South African media, in particular radio DJs and print media,  have been having a shameless orgy with the gender dispute of Caster Semenyaour, our gold medalist heroin competing in Berlin.
Instead of being proud of a gold medalist and a champion, the South African media and public is on a witch-hunt trying to define Semenya’s sex. DJ’s on radio are dissecting Semenya’s person to a point of reducing her accomplishments to her genitals.
Is our media putting a South African hero’s life in danger on her return, gold medal in hand?
Last year South Africa lost a sportswoman to a hate crime because she transgressed gender boundaries. Banyana soccer star Eudy Simelane was murdered in a township because she challenged expected gender stereotypes.
Gender DynamiX focuses its work in the field of transgender, transsexual and gender non-conforming people.
Says Director Liesl Theron: “In our work we are reminded of how (wo)men’s bodies are so easily ridiculed and made into a spectacle because of gender notions.
“Many organisations are fighting battles against homophobia and transphobia in South Africa and through their work the killing of black lesbians in acts called “curative rape” has come to light. Gender DynamiX maintains that these hate crimes are not only rooted in sexual orientation but also in gender identity.
“Ilse Ahrends, partnership coordinator at the Saartjie Baartman Centre in Cape Town asks where the media was when national Banyana-Banyana soccer player, Eudy Simelane was murdered because of her sexual orientation?
“Gender non-conformity does not always equal gay or lesbian. It merely refers to a person physical appearance that does not conform to society’s expectations. In general people are outraged and confused by gender ambiguity.
“As in the case of Caster Simenya, when confronted by people who challenge our perceptions of masculinity or femininity, we react with anger and fear. This is the daily reality for many South Africans.”
Gender DynamiX board member Simone Heradien added: “We are appalled by public and media mechanisms that spur hate speech of this nature. We should not forget the part of radio in the genocide in Rwanda.”
Visit the website www.genderdynamix.org.za for more information.
 


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