Gender activist

“People have the misconception that homosexuality is unafrican; that ‘butch’ lesbians want to be men or have been disappointed by their boyfriends. But we just want to be ourselves, and for people to leave us alone.”

Funeka Soldaat is co-founder and project co-ordinator of the Khayelitsha-based Free Gender, a group that raises awareness of the rights of lesbian and bisexual women in the community. She has been a victim of homophobic violence.