Minister condemned for labelling lesbian art exhibition "immoral"

By Kim Saulse
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 called bigotry.

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

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

“We find it bigoted and highly unacceptable that the Minister should do this in a country where we have a constitution such as ours, that protects issues such as freedom of expression, freedom of association and protect peoples rights in terms of sexual orientation,” said Lotriet.

Meanwhile, the Triangle Project, a support group for the LGBTI 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.

Deputy Director Marlow Valentine said: “As politicians and minister’s in government they should be clued up on what the constitution says and should be role models to our communities in terms of responses.

“So when they have negative responses what reaction do they expect the communities and societies to have of homophobia when they are ignorant and prejudiced of issues facing LGBTI.”