SADC PROTOCOLWORK SUMMITS 2019 Voiceand Choice SRHR MEDIA

SADC PROTOCOL@WORK SUMMITS 2019 Voiceand. Choice SRHR MEDIA Happy Valley Hotel, Ezulwini, Eswatini 30 October 2020 By Bongiwe Zwane-Maseko “Voice and Choice! Empower women, End Violence. ”

SYNOPSIS Banele Frank Dlamini, popularly known as Frankie, is a diva. In this conservative society, he has come out to shine the light as the gay community seeks to find its place in this community. Being gay is generally frowned upon among Emaswati. However, Frankie has stood up to this societal stereotype with so much energy that gay people are now even able to hold a rally to speak out for themselves. There are many people who are gay in our society but, unfortunately, choose to stay in the closet for fear of societal retribution. The article is timely in that it was published soon after Pride Month as a way of raising awareness around acceptance of LGBTQI communities. “Voice and Choice! Empower women, End Violence. ”

BACKGROUND The article was inspired by Frankie's life - he has chosen to not only step outside the closet but also serves as an inspiration to many young people who are battling to come to terms with their sexuality. The article promotes the rights of the LGBTQI community by sharing details from a socialite's personal perspective. “Voice and Choice! Empower women, End Violence. ”

Key Objective To raise awareness around day to day challenges faced by many young people and to reduce the stigma associated with being anything other than heterosexual To get the opinion of the church on this sensitive matter To highlight that for many, homosexuality isn’t a choice To position the mental health risks associated with ‘ignoring’ that LGBTQI people are real “Voice and Choice! Empower women, End Violence. ”

Target Audience The aim was to reach young people and their parents and this was achieved as beyond publishing the article, the publication also posted it on Facebook, thus reaching a wide audience. Please upload pictures/Video Evidence on comments on Facebook post (ref The Nation, 2 August 2019) “Voice and Choice! Empower women, End Violence. ”

PROCESS/METHODOLOG Y Following research, I interviewed different people including Frankie, who gives the story its main voice. A Catholic priest was asked to give views of the church on the subject and this was critical to the article as churches are known for being judgemental. An additional voice was that of a bisexual man who also gives a brief account of his life and this juxtaposes his life to Frankie’s. A mental health specialist's view was also sought “Voice and Choice! Empower women, End Violence. ”

IMPACT The article stimulated healthy debate as is evidenced by the comments on the publication’s social media page. Additionally, a lot of strides have been made by minority communities in making their presence felt. Frankie has alluded to the fact that parents of children who are LGBTQI continue to approach him in order to understand what support they can give to their children. The kingdom has accepted that homosexuality, just like heterosexuality, is not a choice “Voice and Choice! Empower women, End Violence. ”

FEEDBACK The article was published on social media on The Nation Magazine's page. At that time, 67 comments were received and the article was shared 5 times. Over 300 likes were received. https: //www. facebook. com/The. Nation. Mag “Voice and Choice! Empower women, End Violence. ”

FOLLOW UP The story has had no follow-ups since it was neither breaking news nor an evolving story but a feature article, focusing on the life of a young person who has broken the mould. If I were in mainstream media, it would have been great to interview other people who openly embrace this lifestyle. Unfortunately many people, young and old, are still afraid to step outside the close despite the fact that the door has been left slightly ajar. “Voice and Choice! Empower women, End Violence. ”