Arts and culture minister slammed for homophobia

By NEWSTEAM
03 March 2010

After storming out of an art exhibition featuring photographs of black lesbian couples, Arts and Culture Minister Lulu Xingwana has been labeled a homophobe and has been criticized for what the DA has labeled bigotry.

Xingwana dismissed the exhibition as “immoral, offensive and going against nation building”.

The DA’s Annelie Lotriet says the Minister’s behaviour has revealed her attitude to be bigoted and not progressive.

“In her capacity and as a representative of the state, the Minister has a duty to uphold, protect and promote those values; indeed, she has taken an oath before the Chief Justice to that effect. But she has failed fundamentally to do so. And, as such, her position as representative of the South African people is no longer tenable,” Lotriet said.

Meanwhile, the Triangle Project, a support group for the Lesbian Gay, Bi-sexual and Trans-gender community of Cape Town and the province, says the Minister’s reaction to the exhibition is deeply disappointing and is tainted by ignorance of the LGBT community.

“As a politician she should be able to interpret the constitution and better understand it,” Deputy Director Marlow Valentine.