Filmmaker and activist Beverley Ditsie receives honorary doctorate

Summary

The video script recounts the significance of the first pride march, highlighting the empowerment it brought to the LGBTQ+ community by affirming their legitimate existence and fighting against shame. It details the speaker's involvement with an international group of lesbians advocating for global human rights at the United Nations, particularly focusing on the struggle for lesbian rights within the women's rights discussion. The narrative also touches on the challenges of advocating in a male-dominated conference and the speaker's pivotal speech that resonated with the audience, signifying a shift in perception. The speaker reflects on the current state of their country, expressing concerns about societal issues such as unemployment, poverty, and substance abuse, while emphasizing the importance of love, acceptance, and unity within the LGBTQ+ community.

Takeaways

• 🏳️‍🌈 The first pride march was a significant event that validated the existence and legitimacy of the LGBTQ+ community, challenging the societal shame and erasure they faced.
• 🌍 The speaker was part of an international group of lesbians working with the United Nations on global human rights and women's rights issues.
• 📖 The group participated in the NGO forum in Beijing, discussing the 'platform for action'—a document addressing various forms of discrimination against women, particularly in marginalized countries.
• 🔍 The conference was not solely for women but included a majority of male representatives from African countries, highlighting the irony of men discussing women's rights.
• 🗣️ The speaker volunteered to speak for five minutes at the plenary to advocate for lesbian rights as human rights, influenced by South Africa's first black president's stance on sexual orientation inclusion.
• 🎤 The impact of the speech was profound, with a room full of men in shock, indicating a shift in perception and awareness about LGBTQ+ rights.
• 🌐 The speaker now lives in a country where freedom is not fully realized, with high unemployment and poverty, contrasting the initial hope and vision for the future.
• 👥 The speaker emphasizes the strength in numbers and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community, and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.
• 🚫 There is a concern for the mental health and substance abuse within the LGBTQ+ community, reflecting the ongoing struggles despite progress in rights.
• 💔 The speaker expresses concern over judgment and discrimination within the LGBTQ+ community itself, highlighting the need for internal unity and support.
• 🏠 The importance of family and inner circle acceptance is underscored as the most crucial factor for an individual's well-being in the LGBTQ+ community.

Q & A

What was the significance of the first pride march according to the speaker?

The first pride march was significant because it was the first time many people realized that their existence was legitimate and could not be erased or shamed away.

Why did the speaker feel that pride marches were initially exciting and frightening?

The speaker felt that pride marches were exciting and frightening because they were a new and unknown outcome, and many participants, including those hiding their identities, did not know what the consequences would be.

What role did the international group of lesbians play in the speaker's involvement with the United Nations?

The international group of lesbians, which the speaker was a part of, worked with the United Nations on a global human rights and women's rights level, preparing for the NGO forum in Beijing.

What was the purpose of the NGO forum in Beijing mentioned in the script?

The NGO forum in Beijing was a precursor to the governmental discussions where various clauses on women's discrimination, particularly in marginalized countries, were discussed before the heads of states met to finalize the platform for action.

Why was the conference in Beijing not just a women's conference according to the speaker?

The conference was not just a women's conference because it included a predominance of men, including African heads of states and representatives, discussing women's rights and issues.

What was the platform for action and why was it significant?

The platform for action was a document under discussion that included various terms and clauses on women's discrimination. It was significant because it aimed to address and rectify these issues globally.

Why was the speaker chosen to speak at the plenary session about lesbian rights?

The speaker was chosen because they were one of the few non-white, non-European individuals present, and they could leverage the support of their country's first black president, who advocated for the inclusion of sexual orientation in human rights.

What impact did the speaker's speech at the plenary session have on the audience?

The speaker's speech had a profound impact, causing a shift in the room's atmosphere from being packed and noisy to dead quiet, indicating that something significant had happened.

How does the speaker describe the current state of their country?

The speaker describes their country as being in a bad place, with people realizing that the freedom they have is cosmetic, and they are facing issues like unemployment and dire poverty.

What concerns does the speaker have about the LGBTQ community's mental health?

The speaker is concerned about substance abuse, including drug and alcohol use, and the judgment and discrimination within the LGBTQ community, emphasizing the importance of love, acceptance, and support from one's inner circle.

What message does the speaker convey about the importance of family and community support within the LGBTQ community?

The speaker emphasizes that if one's family and inner circle love, accept, and defend who they are, the opinions of others matter less, highlighting the importance of a supportive environment for mental well-being.