LIBERATION 4 ALL AFRICANS HOLDS VIGIL TO HONOR FALLEN LGBT & HIV/AIDS ACTIVISTS, AS WELL AS PROTEST HATE CRIMES AGAINST LESBIANS IN SOUTH AFRICA

The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice mourns the tragic and senseless deaths of Sizakele Sigasa and Salome Masooa, two lesbians found brutally murdered on July 7, 2007 in South Africa. In that regard, we are reposting the following press release issued by members of the US-based  Liberation 4 all Africans committee.  We urge all those who care about human rights to attend this vigil which will protest the increasing rate of hate crimes against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) and HIV/AIDS activists in South Africa, and its prevalence throughout the continent.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, ISSUED BY LIBERATION 4 ALL AFRICANS:
(New York, August 8, 2007) - On August 14, 2007, members of the US-based Liberation 4 all Africans committee will hold a vigil to protest the increasing rate of hate crimes against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) and HIV/AIDS activists in South Africa, and it's prevalence throughout the continent.

Enraged, then mobilized by the unsolved July 7, 2007, murders of Sizakele Sigasa and Salome Masooa, the group stands in solidarity with the Joint Working Group, the alliance for Campaign 07-07-07, all LGBT organizations in Africa, pro-LGBT rights groups internationally and people of conscience around the world in condemning the impunity with which hate crimes against LGBT Africans are committed.

We honor the lives of Thokozane Qwabe, Sizakele Sigasa, Salome Masooa, Simangele Nhlapho, Madoe Mafubedu, Zoliswa Nonkonyana, Fannyann Eddy, Erelu Oludare Odumuye and all those who have died as a result of hate crimes and/or the lack of access to HIV medication and care.

We join the families and friends of all victims and survivors of hate crimes in demanding thorough and timely investigations of all reported cases, and the conviction of all perpetrators of these egregious acts.

We join South African LGBT communities on National Women's Day, August 9, 2007, in calling for the eradication of all forms of violence against women & girls, gender nonconforming people, and members of LGBT communities.

We demand medical services and treatment for people who are living with HIV/AIDS, and the provision of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for all rape survivors.

Having been inspired in 1996, by the new South African Constitution's Bill of Rights enshrining non-discrimination on the basis of among other things, gender and sexual orientation, we are deeply disappointed by the emerging trend of abstentions by South African UN delegations on critical votes concerning international LGBT human rights, most recently on July 20, 2007, at the UN Economic and Social Council [ECOSOC].

We will not stand idly by as the lives of our most courageous leaders and most marginalized community members continue to be cut short at their prime.

Please join us in letting the South African government know that we demand equal protection for LGBT people and people living with HIV/AIDS!

Date: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location: In front of South African Consulate, New York
333 E 38th St, between 1st & 2nd Avenues New York, NY 10016
Directions: Take 4/5/6 to Grand Central Station (42nd St. & Lexington) walk south to 38th St. & east to 1st Ave.

Contact:
Kagendo Murungi Tel: +1-646-287-5394;
email: kagendo2003@yahoo.com
Doyin Ola Tel: +1-917-952-0347;
email: doyino@hotmail.com
Liberation 4 all Africans is a committee of African lesbians, gender nonconforming and transgender people based in the US.
http://www.myspace.com/liberation4allafricans
africanliberation@gmail.com