South Africa: ANC elections manifesto disappoints gay community

Some gay rights groups and individuals are disappointed by the ANC’s 2009 Elections Manifesto which they say is mum on issues facing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community. According to these groups the manifesto, which the ruling party claims was drafted in consultation with the people of South Africa, considering their input, fails to address issues facing the LGBTI community such as hate crimes and homophobia, despite a submission made by this community at the party’s Polokwane Conference in 2007.