Steve Hofmeyr funds to benefit Eastern Cape LGBTIQ+ community group
Singer Steve Hofmeyr was taken to the Equality Court over anti-LGBTIQ+ comments he made on social media
OUT LGBT Well-being has announced that it’s dedicated a portion of the funds it received from the landmark Steve Hofmeyr hate speech settlement to support a non-profit LGBTIQ+ organisation in the Eastern Cape.
OUT, one of the country’s longest running LGBTIQ+ groups, recently donated R20,000 to assist Sibanye LGBT in maintaining their operations during challenging times. The funds will contribute to settling outstanding rent and covering other costs.
Sibanye LGBT, based in Uitenhage, is a community-based organisation that provides HIV-related services and advocates for and empowers the local LGBTIQ+ community. The dedicated team comprises 12 staff members and volunteers who work diligently on the front lines.
“We firmly believe that the Steve Hofmeyr settlement should be utilised for the advancement of the LGBTIQ+ community, particularly those facing the greatest need,” said Sibonelo Ncanana, OUT’s Human Rights Coordinator in Gqeberha, in a statement.
Thembisa Jonas, Director of Sibanye LGBT, expressed gratitude for the support from OUT. “This financial assistance will greatly contribute to sustaining our organisation and will enable us to continue addressing the needs of our community,” Jonas said.
In March 2023, OUT was awarded R100,000 as part of a settlement with Hofmeyr.
The case stemmed from the singer’s April 2022 social media statements in which he told his hundreds of thousands of followers that the LGBTIQ+ acronym includes those who engage in bestiality and that the LGBTIQ+ community is in support of “grooming” children.
OUT lodged a hate speech complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission over the comments and the two organisations took Hofmeyr to the Equality Court in June 2022.
As part of the agreement, Hofmeyr also issued an unconditional apology to the LGBTIQ+ community on his social media platforms for his hurtful and offensive remarks.
OUT plans to allocate the remaining funds to other crucial initiatives and projects in support of the LGBTIQ+ community.
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