Nelson Mandela was 95 Lgbti groups around the world are paying tribute to Nelson Mandela, the man who led South Africa to become the first country in the world to ban anti-gay discrimination in its constitution. The 95-year-old freedom fighter and global human rights icon died at his home in Johannesburg today. South African lgbt rights advocate Phumzile Mtetwa has described Mandela as “an important icon” of the gay rights movement, in contrast to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and other anti-lgbt African heads of state. “As a queer activist I will remember uTatu Dalibhunga for the dreams of freedom he symbolized,” Mtetwa has written. The Human Rights Campaign has been quick to pay tribute: “Nelson Mandela tore down oppression, united a rainbow nation, and always walked arm-in-arm with his LGBT brothers and sisters—and with all people—toward freedom,” it says. “Though every man, woman and child who seeks justice around the world mourns this loss, his vision of an equal future lives on undimmed. Mandela, who was South Africa’s first post-Apartheid president, was an outspoken advocate for LGBT equality.” The Campaign says along with leading South Africa to its anti-discrimination constitutional measure, Mandela appointed an openly-gay judge to South Africa's High Court of Appeal. “Mandela will be remembered for his social justice activism and commitment to equality for all people.” The activist group All Out says it’s deeply saddened to hear about Mandela’s passing. “Yet, we are hopeful his legacy of tolerance and mutual respect will live on for generations," says executive director Andre Banks. “As All Out continues to work with partners throughout Africa to free those who are oppressed and imprisoned for who they are and who they love, we will be inspired by Nelson Mandela’s story and words.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 6th December 2013 - 12:58pm