Before 1968 South African statutory law provided for a uniform age of consent at 16 years. While this did not detract from the common law prohibition against all sexual contact between men, it did at least mean that homosexuals and heterosexuals were treated alike in statutory prosecutions for underage sex. In 1969 any immoral or indecent act committed by a male with a boy under 19 became a separate statutory offence, subject to imprisonment of up to six years with or without a fine of up to 12,000 Rand in addition to such imprisonment (Sexual Offences Act,ss. 14 (1) (b), 22 (f)). In 1988 it became an offence for any woman to commit an immoral or indecent act with a girl under 19 (s.14(3)(b)). This is the only reference to lesbian conduct in South African law. These discriminatory provisions remain in force. [2002] laws covering

From international pariah under apartheid to world class human rights leader, South Africa has made the most remarkable turn-around of any country. Lesbigays are protected by a new constitution and now celebrate true and equal diversity with other minorities. No single act presented the New South African more than the proud 1994 entry of Team South Africa into the opening ceremonies for Gay Games IV in New York. Although not excluded from previous games (unlike the Olympics), this was a justifiably righteous celebration of victory over the dark forces of apartheid that had smothered their country and their gay culture for nearly half a century. Waving the integrated colors of their 'New South Africa' flag high over head, the beaming team of athletes jabbed their banners high to demonstrate a dawn of freedom.

homosexual activity: On 8th May 1996 South Africa became the first country in the world to enshrine lesbian and gay rights in its Constitution: Clause 9. (3) reads: "The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language, and birth." A similar provision had previously been included in the Interim Constitution adopted in December 1993. The ANC had formally recognised lesbian and gay rights as part of its policy at its policy conference in May 1992. Laws pertaining to equality are constantly challenged and changed in accordance with the constitution, however completed equality is yet to be acheived. [2002]

Since that glorious entry, gay South Africa has never looked back. Lesbigay life in the new South Africa is as busy--or quiet-- as one wants to make it. There are more choices, more activity, more color, music, activism, reading, films, dancing and support than ever before. There are gay and lesbian centers and support groups across the entire country. Reborn gay Christians can call the Atara Mission in Johannesburg. Married gay men can call Fata Morgana support group. The Deaf Association for the Gays of Southern Africa can be found in Pretoria. The Lesbian Action Project can be found in Capetown. Contact lines for counseling information and meetings are in Durban, Kimberley, Bloemfontein, Queenstown and Port Elizabeth. Capetown, Pretoria and Jo'burg have the widest selection of venues for religious, social, political

background information and government attitudes: By April 1996 every political party, with the exception of the minority African Christian Democratic Party, had stated their support for protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination in the constitution. December 20, 1997: Delegates to the ANC's 50th National Conference in Mafeking voted to in support of the following resolution:"The ANC National Conference ...tasks its representatives in all levels of government to establish equality for lesbian and gay people in the following areas in particular: "EMPLOYMENT -- Equal rights for all workers, including lesbian and gay workers in both the private and public sectors; The recognition of same sex relationships for worker benefits (e.g. housing, medical aid and bereavement leave). ... "FAMILY RIGHTS -- Custody and access, maintenance, immigration and adoption rights for lesbian and gay persons and the recognition of lesbian and gay families; Establishing the equal right to marry for people of the same sex. "YOUTH -- The appropriate inclusion of lesbian and gay youth in all youth programmes, policy and law; The protection of lesbian and gay youth from discrimination at home, at school, on the streets and in the media; Equalising the age of consent; Running programmes to counter anti-gay prejudice and inclusive sexuality education programmes for all scholars." (RW Quote/Unquote 1/1/98) International actions: 1995: At preparatory meeting for UN World Conference on Women in New York, proposed inclusion of words "sexual orientation" in paragraph addressing discrimination. (DS)9/1995: At UN 4th Conference on Women in Beijing supported (unsuccessful) proposal for inclusion of references to "sexual orientation" in the draft "Platform for Action" While the constitution offers many protections to lesbian and gay people the government have consistently opposed any changes to laws that would give same sex couples and lesbian and gay people equality. In all cases thus far challenges that have reached the constitutional court have been been successful. [2002]

and medical activity. HIV care related services are broadly available. The Aids Information and Counseling Centre (ATICC) has offices in fifteen different cities. For those into the party and dance scene there is a generous choice of fab clubs and local bars, especially in the largest urban areas. Informative listings and opinions are easily found in the gay media such as 'Exit' newspaper and 'Outright' magazine. In the black township of Soweto, where homophobia is so strong, there is a gay friendly 'shebeen' (club)-"tell Mando that Bev Ditsie of 'Outright' sent you", I was told. For film buffs there is the 8 1/2 Cine Club in Jo'burg which screens art and homo-theme films during the year. In September, in Capetown, and again in November there are film festivals with a wide international selection. September (springtime) is Gay Pride month in South Africa. What originally started in 1990 as a march of protest has become much more of a celebration of lesbigay life in its infinite forms, from colorful floats to single flag wavers, dykes on bikes to lipstick lezzies, leather-strapped strippers to preppie-looking physicians. This year the theme was 'Gay by Nature, Proud by Choice'. Activism here also includes protesting at airports--especially when a foreign homophobe flies into the country. President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is convinced that homosexuality is not a natural African trait. For his ignorance he was not welcomed here and was recently sent scurrying out the back door of the airport when he arrived. Hundreds of gays and lesbian staged protest against his bigoted slander against homosexuality, creating an event that received worldwide attention in the press.  Capetown is the San Francisco of South Africa. Set by the ocean and backed against a dramatic mountain, many consider it to be the gay capitol of the country. Although there is no concentrated Castro district, there is a confident attitude and plenty of action for gay and lesbian residents who live scattered throughout the city and suburbs. Friends celebrate in clubs, bars and, mostly, at home. They go out to the theatre and the opera. We attended a performance of "Cabaret" with friend Retha and a group of her gay frien