Patriotic Alliance President Gayton McKenzie tells homophobes to take a hike

Gayton McKenzie, the President of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), has told policy conference delegates that homophobes and transphobes should join another party.

The PA announced on Saturday that it had become the first political party in South Africa to include an LGBTQIA+ League as part of its highest decision-making body, the National Executive Committee (NEC).

The decision was made at the PA’s first policy conference which was held in Gqeberha on 18 and 19 March 2023.

A draft policy for LGBTQIA+ inclusiveness at all levels of the PA – including the NEC, the Provincial Executive Committee, the Regional Executive Committee and at the ward level – was also submitted and adopted by the NEC.

The document will serve as a formal policy to ensure that the PA reflects the principles enshrined in the Constitution’s Bill of Rights, said the party in a statement.

In his address to delegates, PA President, Gayton McKenzie, was unequivocal in asserting the party’s inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community. He said that religious leaders who condemn LGBTQIA+ people have no place in the PA.

“I want you to know where we stand so that some of the pastors must make up their minds if they still want to be part of the PA,” he told the delegates

“I cannot keep on explaining and I want to make it clear. I have children that must still decide what their sexual orientation will be, and I am not going to judge people and tomorrow I want to get angry when people judge my children. The LGBTQIA+ community is us, they are part of the PA. If you feel you do not want to accept them, there is another party. ‘Jy moet loop’ (you must go),” said McKenzie.

Chaz Warries was announced as the first NEC Chairperson of the LGBTQIA+ League and Meredith Bowkers as the Secretary.

The PA this week also joined the DA, EFF and ActionSA in speaking out against the Anti-Homosexuality Bill that was recently passed by Uganda’s Parliament.

“Human rights are universal – no one should be attacked, imprisoned, or killed simply because of who they are or whom they love,” said the PA in a statement to MambaOnline.

It urged companies and international brands “to withdraw their support from Uganda” and called for President Yoweri Museveni not to sign the draft legislation into law.