Premium Content:

South Africa Appoints Lesbian Cabinet Minister

south-africa-flag

Lynne Brown has been appointed the position of South Africa’s Minister of Public Enterprises, making her the country’s first openly gay cabinet minister.

- Advertisement -

The role is the highest-profile held by an openly gay person in Africa.

Last week, South Africa gained its first openly gay black member of parliament when Zakhele Mbhele was elected.

Gay political author Eusebius McKaiser made these comments to the Guardian:

“It is, sadly, probably newsworthy, I guess, insofar as the social impact of openly gay people in high-profile public leadership positions cannot be discounted in a country like South Africa where levels of homophobia, including violence against black lesbian women, remain rife.”

Steven Friedman, director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy told the Guardian he thought that Brown’s appointment as South Africa’s first openly gay cabinet minister was “worth drawing attention to.”

“She’s not a gay rights campaigner – it’s not recognition in that sense – but the fact that under the most socially conservative president since 1994 there is the first openly gay minister in such a position is significant.”

Latest

Black Swan State Theatre Company reveal jam-packed 2026 program

Artistic Director Kate Champion talks us through all the plays coming in 2026.

On This Gay Day | In 2017 Karina Okotel said many marriage equality supporters were racist

The claims from the Liberal Party's Victorian Vice President were one of the more memorable moments of the campaign.

City of Perth seeks nominations for its LGBTQIA+ Advisory Group

Can you help make Perth a more inclusive city?

Voting is now open for the 2025 Proud Awards

Cast your vote for your favourite entertainers, DJs, shows and events.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Black Swan State Theatre Company reveal jam-packed 2026 program

Artistic Director Kate Champion talks us through all the plays coming in 2026.

On This Gay Day | In 2017 Karina Okotel said many marriage equality supporters were racist

The claims from the Liberal Party's Victorian Vice President were one of the more memorable moments of the campaign.

City of Perth seeks nominations for its LGBTQIA+ Advisory Group

Can you help make Perth a more inclusive city?

Voting is now open for the 2025 Proud Awards

Cast your vote for your favourite entertainers, DJs, shows and events.

Manchester serial rapist sentenced to life in prison

Algerian national Sid Ali Djelid will be behind bars for at least 16 years.

Black Swan State Theatre Company reveal jam-packed 2026 program

Artistic Director Kate Champion talks us through all the plays coming in 2026.

On This Gay Day | In 2017 Karina Okotel said many marriage equality supporters were racist

The claims from the Liberal Party's Victorian Vice President were one of the more memorable moments of the campaign.

City of Perth seeks nominations for its LGBTQIA+ Advisory Group

Can you help make Perth a more inclusive city?