EFF reaffirms support for LGBT following bill backlash

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has come to its own defence after causing a furore over the passing of the Civil Union Amendment Bill, which some party members objected to in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP)

Adopted on Wednesday, 1 July 2020, the bill is intended to annul section 6 of the Civil Union Act, which allowed for a marriage officer to refuse officiating a civil union between same-sex couples, mainly on the basis of belief, religion and conscience.

‘Equality for all’

Chairperson of the NCOP’s Select Committee on Security and Justice Shahidabibi Shaikh said the Bill would ensure equality for all.

“The Select Committee received a briefing from a legal adviser. Following this briefing the committee took a resolution to involve the public in the matter and called for submissions on the Bill. We received about 325 submissions from individuals and organisations. There were those who opposed the repeal of section 6 of the Civil Union Act and then there were those in support,” she said.

While the EFF supported the bill when it was passed in the National Assembly, three party members voted against it in the NCOP, sparking outrage from on social media users who accused the red berets of being homophobic.

Members to be dealt with

 In a statement, the party apologised to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community and said the members who voted against it would be dealt with.

“We have asked these members to account for voting in a manner which is inconsistent with the party’s position on legislation around the LGBTQI+ community, and against our position in governance regarding this bill, which dates back to 2018,” the party said.

The EFF said it would continue to advocate for aggressive public awareness and communication strategies and training interventions aimed at positively changing social norms which declare LGBTQI+ sexual preferences as abnormal.

“A civil union is not exclusive to religion, nor does it necessarily have to be religious. A civil union falls under the guidance of our constitutional democracy, and no-one acting on behalf of a constitutional state can deny others their freedoms with the excuse of religion.

“Section 6 of the Civil Union Act, which has been amended stood, at odds with the constitutional rights of members of the LGBTQI+ community and has correctly been repealed,” the party said.