"The media led me to put it up there. "You keep on asking me questions ... I don't want to talk to you ... I don't hate anybody ... you're the reporter obviously gay, so I refuse to speak to you, goodbye." Tony McPherson, international relations manager for Namibian queer organisation Out & Proud, said they had lodged a complaint with the SAHRC, adding that the sign should be removed immediately. "We are deeply disturbed by the actions of the owner of La Gardi Catering Plastics and the placement of a discriminatory 'You keep on asking me questions ... I don't want to talk to you ... I don't hate anybody ... you're the reporter obviously gay, so I refuse to speak to you, goodbye' sign outside the storefront," McPherson said. "In Namibia, individuals are free to shop wherever they choose, despite the challenges they face. "It is crucial that SA, as a beacon of democracy, ensures the protection of all its citizens and actively works towards eradicating discrimination." SAHRC commissioner Andre Gaum confirmed they were investigating the matter. "The SAHRC has received a complaint about the LGBTQL+ community being excluded from using the services of this business and we are assessing it," Gaum said. "On the face of it, it appears to be a clear example of outright discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and the commission will take the necessary steps in this regard." Mental health advocate Candice Lambert said when people excluded others based on their sexual orientation, the victims often suffered from a disorder called minority stress. "When we are excluded, the result is feelings of anxiety and depression," Lambert said. "Having these feelings could impact our daily functioning and possibly require psychological intervention to support them through the process.

"The underpinnings of inclusion are love, kindness, empathy, and acceptance. "We are first human before we are black, white, Indian, gay, lesbian, or anything else." Political parties also weighed in, with Mxolisi Makhubu, from the African Transformation Movement, lambasting Lagardien. "This is a clear display of hate speech and must be classified as a hate crime. "The acts displayed by this shop only seek to fuel violent acts and instigate an uprising of intolerance." The IJDM's Yongama Zigebe said they were appalled by the actions of the company. "It's utterly disgusting that a human being would go to such lengths because of hate. "We call on the human rights commission to take on this owner and make him account for such heinous and dangerous actions." Last year, the SAHRC ordered Afrikaans singer Steve Hofmeyr to fork out R500,000 over comments he made about the LGBTQ1+ community. Hofmeyr got tongues wagging after he criticised Disney's plan to have more inclusive characters. He suggested this was a way of teaching children "bestiality" and that the "+" in LGBTQl+ could be inclusive of relationships with animals. The commission in the Eastern Cape spearheaded the investigation after receiving a complaint from a nonprofit organisation in Gqeberha. Eastern Cape commissioner Dr Eileen Carter said the comments affecting the queer community's rights to equality and dignity was determined in sections 9 and 10 of the constitution.

Source: The Herald