While the Constitution promises equality and dignity for all, many say their reality is still shaped by fear, discrimination, and a longing for full societal acceptance.  

Lorraine Fleming, a 38-year-old lesbian woman, says she grew up knowing she was different. She says while her family accepted her, her friends did not, leading to the loss of long-time relationships.  

Fleming says Freedom Day is deeply meaningful to her, as it reminds her that she has the right to be who she is.  

"As a lesbian woman, particularly Freedom Day means that I get to be myself, choose where I stay, how I live my life, what sort of organisation I go to, and who I associate with in this community, the community I live in. There are heterosexual people living within communities, there are gay people, there are trans people. You sort of gravitate towards the people that accept you, and naturally, that’s going to be the LGBTQ community."

--ChannelAfrica--