MHM Magazine

S outh Africa is currently facing a crisis of immense proportions, particularly related to the Covid19 pandemic and the economic hardship associated with stricter lockdown measures, and recent riots and looting as a result of socio-economic disparity. These are very important factors to consider when assessing the needs of any marginalised community, because it is often those who exist on ‘the margins’ or on the periphery of society who are adversely impacted by these larger ongoing societal problems. The pandemic has certainly placed a spotlight on the challenges that have already been faced by marginalised groups such as the LGBTIQ community and the queer activists that work on community outreach initiatives daily. The Covid19 pandemic is therefore generating complex challenges and while the virus does not discriminate, it’s very clear that it hits marginalised communities in our societies disproportionally hard. In addition, social distancing and other prevention measures, as needed as they are, can have unwanted negative impacts on the lives of queer people. Many queer identifying persons are already excluded from their homes, and socio-economically excluded from society, and therefore are far more likely to be living without shelter and relying on the informal sector to make an income to survive. The challenges that those individuals face on a day to day basis have been intensified and it has become imperative that queer civil society supports this community with basic needs, such as food security. EDITORIAL By Genevieve Louw Programmes Coordinator for the GALA Queer Archive in Johannesburg Many queer identifying persons are already excluded from their homes, and socio- economically excluded from society THE URGENT NEED TO PRIORITISE THE MENTAL HEALTH OF LGBTIQ ACTIVISTS IN SA: The pressure that this places on LGTBIQ activists is beyond measure and the strain that queer civil society is facing is endless during this time of uncertainty. In addition to the relief work that queer civil society is trying Issue 4 | 2021 | MENTALHEALTHMATTERS | 1 MHM