Gauteng GDE to provide LGBTQ+ youth support groups in high schools by Pride Month October 2023.

When I look back at high school I feel if I had had the support I have right now, I wouldn’t have gone through the thoughts of how my life could’ve been better if I was “normal”. When I came out as bisexual in high school my confidentiality was breached by those I had trusted and the news spread through the school. I went through a very tough time as I was going through the process of accepting myself. My family and friends didn’t know much about sexuality at that point. And even though I was still learning about myself, I had to be the one to educate them too, with little support or resources. The fact that I was targeted in school for coming out and dating the same sex did not make my situation any easier. Being a queer teenager, it was harder for me to understand that it was okay to be who I am, I never had the knowledge and skills, nor did I have the community I needed to support me.

Living through that alienating experience made me realise that what I needed then was a support system within school. A support group, where I could be supported by fellow schoolmates and teachers who were going through the same struggles as I was. This made me want to fight for every LGBTQ+ young person to have a safe space to go to for skills, knowledge, and support. Starting in high schools, altering the minds of the youth to support one another and spread awareness of the community. No one should feel as alone as I felt during that time. Having a teacher and some of my good friends support me through these times helped me a lot, not only did I find my safe space, but I started to accept and learn about what it meant to be part of the LGBTQ+ community.

This is why I need you to sign and share this petition to put pressure on the Gauteng Department of Basic Education to provide support groups to schools across the province that aim to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth to learn and support one another and find belonging by October 2023, South Africa’s Pride Month.

You are not alone!

Picture credits: Same Love Toti