The sign, which reads "stop this evil, no lesbians, no gays, no bisexuals, no transgenders, no queers, antiLGBTQ:, sparked an outcry on social media. "I didn't put the sign up," the owner, who declined to be named, said. "A member of the public came in and put the poster there ... we don't know who did it, we did have a window on which businesses were allowed to advertise their services, but I put a stop to it. "The SAHRC should do its job and I support the law of the country." Yesterday, the sign was no longer up at the car wash, in the basement of the Moffett on Main Lifestyle Centre. SAHRC provincial manager Dr Eileen Carter confirmed it was aware of the matter. "The SAHRC confirms having received a complaint in respect of the sign allegedly posted in the Moffett on Main centre in Gqeberha," Carter said. "We are in the process of assessing the allegations herein as per our complaintshandling procedures before determining a way forward." The Moffett on Main shopping centre addressed the situation in a statement posted on social media. "It was brought to management's attention that someone, the identity of whom remains unknown, had placed an anti queer poster at our premises," the post read. "The poster was removed immediately after we became aware of it. "We would like to ensure that our centre is regarded as a safe and inclusive environment free from any forms of discrimination." Bafana Khumalo, of LGBTQl+ lobby group Sonke Gender Justice, said: "We do not condone anything slanderous, especially when it goes against the constitutional rights of innocent people. "We are in full support of the LGBTQsommunity." Triangle Project health and support services manager Sharon Cox said she, too, was concerned. "It is extremely concerning, it's beyond hateful. "In 2023, how can anybody put signs up like that, where it is so blatantly hateful? "Seeing a lot of pushback from conservatives and social media, where the basis of someone's belief system can impact on people's lives, has also created fear among so many others," Cox said. The SAHRC has taken another Bay business to court after a sign drew the ire of the LGBTQI+ community. The owner of La Gardi Catering Plastics in Parkside, Dawood Lagardien, refused to take down the chalkboard with the wording "LGBTQ.pot welcome at Lagardi, save our children" on it. The matter is before the Equality Court.

Source: The Herald