The South African lesbian and gay communities through the Joint Working Group* and partner organisations STRONGLY CONDEMN the killing of Sizakele Sigasa (34) and Salome Masooa (23) from a township in Johannesburg. They were found (Sunday 8th July) murdered, execution style, in a nearby field in Meadowlands; a shocking image that is not so new in South Africa in the light of the recent increase in violence and rape against women either identified as, suspected of or supporting lesbian and gay rights.
 
Gays and lesbians are men and women, human beings who deserve equal rights and treatment – not to be ridiculed or called names, beaten, tortured, raped or killed. These gross human rights violations are not just inhuman and barbaric - they must not be tolerated! Sizakele and Salome’s killers, like everyone else, HAD NO RIGHT TO THREATEN OR KILL THEM!!

Gender DynamiX and more than 20 of its stakeholders took Kalk Bay by storm when they gathered for a 4 day strategic planning workshop. History was made when, for the first time ever, such a diverse group of transgender people in South Africa came together to brainstorm, strategize and plan around the future activities of Gender DynamiX.

Gender DynamiX and the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) pulled their resources together and produced an info pamphlet outlining safe sex practices for transgender sex workers. This is the first time on the African continent that printed material gives scope to this marginalized group of people.

Trans Body Maps – April 26 to April 28, 2007, Women’s Jail, Constitution Hill
Opening reception: 4:00 p.m., Thursday, April 26

Constitution Hill, in partnership with the Gay and Lesbian Archives, Gender DynamiX and Women’sNet, presents `Trans Body Maps,' an exhibit of life-sized ‘body maps’ or self-portraits of transgender and gender variant people in South Africa. The exhibition aims to raise awareness around issues affecting transgender and gender variant people and to draw the public into direct dialogue with South Africa’s transgendered community.

Gender DynamiX, a non-profit organisation addressing the needs of the transgender population, expresses grave concern about the lack of access to shelters for transgender individuals experiencing crisis.