By: Natasha Archary
An LGBT+ organisation is disturbed by the queerphobic vitriol surrounding the murder of Clement Hadebe.
OUT LGBT is appalled by the victim-blaming sensationalism following the death of 20-something-year-old Hadebe.
Hadebe was shot multiple times in Johannesburg on 10 August, allegedly by a man they met the previous night.
Unconfirmed reports by Hadebe’s friends suggest that they were approached by a group of 3 men who offered to buy them drinks.
One of the men reportedly showed a keen interest in Clement Hadebe who then left with the man to a Bed & Breakfast.
Hadebe who is originally from KwaZulu-Natal, was found with multiple gunshot wounds.
While details about Hadebe’s murder remain sketchy, there have been several social media posts and comments blaming Hadebe for their death.
Some point blame at them for not revealing their gender to the man who was showing them attention.
Others justified the alleged murderer’s actions, saying it was a reasonable response to discovering Hadebe’s gender identity.
In a statement, OUT LGBT said the victim blaming is unacceptable and vowed to follow the investigation to ensure justice for Hadebe.
“Victim-blaming is never acceptable.
The notion that LGBTIQ+ people are ‘hiding’ who they are when they are simply being themselves is deeply concerning. Our identity is not something that requires disclosure.
In Hadebe’s case, much of what has been reported is speculative, but even if the suspect was initially unaware that Hadebe was an LGBTIQ+ individual, this can never be any justification for violence.
Clement Hadebe did nothing wrong being their authentic self.”
OUT LGBT urges the public and the media to stop perpetuating victim-blaming narratives about Clement’s murder. Instead, the organisation is calling on the public to condemn this suspected hate crime and the pervasive queerphobia in our society that underpins such horrific acts.
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