South Africa has come a long way since the time being gay or being openly gay was taboo and had people excluded from society, the law and in the workspace.

Today people are open about their sexuality and the LGBTQIA+ /Non-binary community is embraced and included. Though the world and society is a lot more accepting now, there are still some levels of exclusion and discrimination; however, this did not stop those who believe and are brave to stand up for what they believe in, which also means supporting the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Constitution Hill is proud to be hosting The 2nd Global LGBTIQ+ Network Conference happening from 20-22 October 2020 with the main theme “Inclusion & Social Cohesion”. The Global LGBTIQ+ Network is the brainchild of the Thami Dish Foundation. The first conference was hosted in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa in 2018, at the iconic Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct of course. The purpose of this platform is to convene LGBTIQ+ people from across the world, engage in conversations leading to change; empower members of the community and shift thinking. This is done through this bi-annual conference with a diverse set of speakers, thought leaders and activists who share the values of an inclusive diverse world.

The 2nd Annual Global LGBTIQ+ Network Conference

The second ideation of the Global LGBTIQ+ Network Conference’s main theme is ‘Inclusion and Cohesion’ and the sub-theme ‘Unifying LGBTIQ+ voices’. For South Africa it is significant to note that the conference will be held during our PRIDE month- October.

It is in the spirit of #PRIDE that the Global LGBTIQ+ Network seeks to empower members of the LGBTIQ+ community through affirming conversation, information sharing and knowledge gathering. The Network also intends to extract best practices, provide support to movements, both emerging and established, and inspire and highlight global activism against oppression.

The objective is not just creating a network but active working groups globally that will be accessible to the LGBTIQ+ communities of the world. This foundation aims to provide education through partnerships within a global framework.

Dates: 20-22 October 2020

Time: 10h00 – 17:30

Venue: Constitution Hill, Johannesburg, South Africa

A Hybrid Conference – Streamed to digital platforms

Theme: Inclusion & Cohesion

Meet the diverse set of speakers, thought leaders and activists

This event has an incredible set of panellists like; Ayanda Nino, A photographer and professional boxer, pan sexual trans man; Anele Siswana, a Clinical Psychologist registered with the Helping Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), he also practices as a divine healer (traditional healing), a therapist in private practice and is an activist for the rights of LGBTIAQ + (QUEER) community.

Also, on the panel: Ditshego Ditshego, a Journalist, Masters graduate (from NYC), writer, news anchor, political analyst, voice-over artist, future Philanthropist and Gender Equality and LGBTQIA+ Activist with a passion for women and children's issues.

Ntsikelelo Meslani, a bold, daring, and dynamic DJ also known as “Lelowhatsgood”-he is a DJ behind the representation and visibility of queer creatives in the entertainment industry in Johannesburg - playing on international stages such as Boiler Room and AFROPUNK. Then we have Frank Mugisha, a prominent advocate for the rights of LGBT+ persons, a respected champion of Human Rights, and an anti-violence advocate.

Lipian Bongani Mtandabari, a young tour operator, professional safari guide and LGBTQ+ travel specialist with a combined experience of eleven years in travel, tourism, and conservation.

Luiz De Barros is the founder, and publisher of Mambaonline.com, South Africa’s leading LGBTQ news website. He is an award-winning marketing and communications consultant, filmmaker, writer, and multimedia expert.

Malachi Allen, a 28-year-old trans man from the US; and Sheriff Mothopeng, a gender non-confirming person, LGBTI activist and archaeologist by profession. Working towards the elimination of discrimination and the meaningful inclusion of LGBTQI identifying youth and holding the position of Gender and Sexuality officer just to name a few.

This conference is an important part of history, growing awareness and inciting change- not to be missed!