"Our teams are diligently working to apprehend the responsible party," he said. "We implore individuals possessing any relevant information to promptly share it with the municipality." SA Human Rights Commis sion SAHRC provincial manager Dr Eileen Carter said it was aware of the incident. "We condemn any form of hate speech, as prohibited by the domestic legislation," Carter said. "The SAHRC, however, calls on the public to be circumspect about information they share online and to consult the SAHRC's social media charter launched in 2023, as you may also be held accountable for not only spreading hate speech, but also disinformation," she said. "Please also submit any images that may have been manipulated to ReaI411 to assist in determining the authenticity of information shared online." Carter explained that the word "rad:fie" could be deemed as hate speech or harassment based on a prohibited ground. Queer organisation Out&Proud board member Tony McPherson said he had submitted an official complaint to the commission. "It is disheartening to witness the continued use of vulgar defamation against the LGBTQ1A+ community" McPherson said. "I have filed a complaint with the SAHRC and trust they will thoroughly investigate anREPORT CONTINUES: P2 The Herald visit us on facebook www. facebook. coin Herald LIVE Doctored 'William Moffie sign causes outrage REPORT FROM: P1 other such incident in the Gqeberha area, where the queer community faces discrimination. "This is not far from where a shop owner last year displayed an antiqueer sign. "We are perturbed about Gqeberha becoming notorious for antigay behaviour. "We urge officials to educate residents and put an end to this recurring behaviour in the city "Let's declare 2024 a year of love, as love always wins." The owner of La Gardi Catering Plastics, Dawood Lagardien, grabbed headlines last year when he placed a sign outside his shop which read: "LGBTQ,not welcome at Lagardi, save our children". The matter is still before the Equality Court. Also last year, Moffett Car Spa came under fire after a member of the public entered the business premises and put up an offending poster. The sign, which read "stop this evil, no lesbians, no gays, no bisexuals, no transgenders, no queers, antiLGBTQ:, sparked an outcry on social media. The owner of the car spa has denied any wrongdoing. Mental health advocate Candice Lambert said the Photoshopped picture could affect people emotionally and mentally. "During instances such as homophobia, we are excluding others based on their sexual orientation, beliefs and man ner in which they live their lives. "This leads to a concept called minority stress," Lambert said. "Minority stress describes high levels of stress faced by members of stigmatised minority groups. "It may be caused by several factors, including poor social support and low socioecon omic status; wellunderstood causes of minority stress are interpersonal prejudice and discrimination."

Source: The Herald