
Allan Boesak speaks on homophobia and the churches
The Other Foundation, the Diakonia Council of Churches and the Durban Lesbian and Gay Centre held a public discussion to address homophobia and churches in Africa with a keynote address by the renowned anti-apartheid leader, theologian, and author, Prof Allan Boesak.
The public address Taking a Stand: A call to action by the church against prejudice towards LGBTI people, was held at a packed-to-capacity Dennis Hurley Hall at the Diakonia Centre in Durban on 24 June 2019, as the opening event of a larger three-day Africa wide convening on Breaking Through the Backlash: Transformative encounters between LGBTI people and the churches in Africa.
Author, television and radio personality Iman Rappetti moderated the event, after an opening prayer by Bishop Rubin Phillip (former chairperson of the Diakonia Council of Churches and retired Anglican bishop of the Diocese of Natal), and opening remarks from Nomabelu Mvambo-Dandala (executive director of the Diakonia Council of Churches), Thabo Msibi (chairperson of the Durban Lesbian and Gay Centre) and Neville Gabriel (chief executive officer of the Other Foundation.
Our religion programme officer, Teboho Klaas, and Prof Allan Boesak spoke to Songezo Mabece of the SAfm radio show, The View Point. Click here to listen to that interview.
Breaking the Backlash at its source: Redesigning theological education for inclusion and dignity of LGBTI people
The Other Foundation, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the Diakonia Council of Churches, and the Durban Lesbian and Gay Centre held a panel discussion at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Education looking at how theological education could be redesigned for the inclusion and dignity of LGBTI people.
The discussion, in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, was a side event of a larger Africa wide three-day convening on Breaking Through the Backlash: Transformative encounters between LGBTI people and the churches in Africa. On the panel was Thabo Msibi (dean and head of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Education, and chairperson of the Durban Lesbian and Gay Centre), Nombulelo Khumalo (recent theology graduate, Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary), Selina Palm (School of Theology, Stellenbosch University), Thabang Nkadimeng (School of Religion, University of KwaZulu-Natal), Lebo Moletsane (Pro Vice-Chancellor for social cohesion at the University of KwaZulu-Natal) and Anthony Brown (University of Johannesburg).
Click the thumbnail to watch a video of this panel discussion.