[Posted on 02 January 2008]

The Durban Lesbian & Gay Community & Health Centre (a project of the KZN Coalition for Gay & Lesbian Equality) offers a safe and secure space for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities of Durban and KwaZulu-Natal.

The Community Centre provides, Personal, HIV/AIDS, Sexual Health and Legal Education, Counselling and Advise on matters ranging from understanding your own sexual and/or health status, to coming out, mitigating/fighting stigma and discrimination, homelessness, drug use/abuse, living positively, to same-sex marriages.

The Community Centre DOES NOT HAVE a Clinic, and DOES NOT YET offer in-house testing of STI, TB, HIV, blood pressure, pregnancy and cancer testing but has a database of professionals and institutions within Durban to refer people to.

Being a project of the KZN Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality, Human Rights Advocacy and Campaigning remain at the heart of the Community Centre's work. Our current work include human right education on Rights and Responsibility, Gender and Sexuality, Fighting Discrimination of LGBT Youth In Schools, and 'Hate Crimes' primarily against LGBT people. At a Policy development level, our current work is on the Sexual Offences Bill, Domestic Partnerships and further developments of the Civil Unions Act.

The Community Centre houses an extensive Research and Resource Centre on LGBT, women, youth, children, sex and sexuality, sexual health, human rights, reproductive rights, social, political, health, disability, and many other aspects of communities. It also houses a collection of LGBT, HIV/AIDS and related media clippings in its archives. These will, hopefully over time, be made available on this website.

Our Social and Political Programme has resulted to our news walls bearing highlights on current affairs, press releases, politics and health issues. Also, every Friday (13h00) we hold Professional Development Seminars.

2008 COMMUNITY CENTRE STAFF (Inclusive of CHMT)
Mr Sbongiseni Mkhwanazi: Administration Officer
Ms Akona Ntsaluba: HIV and Human Rights Advocacy Officer
Mrs Nomvuyo Dlamini: Sexual Health Officer/Researcher
Ms Nonhlanhla Mkhize: Director
Vacant: Legal Officer
Vacant: HIV and Personal Counselling Officer
and
Ms Zinhle Radebe: Provincial Administrator/Treatment Literacy Practictioner (TLP)
Ms Sanna Dzakwa: Provincial HIV & Treatment Literacy Officer
(plus 12 TLPs and 2 Journalists)

SERVICE/INTERNSHIPS
Mr Mani Steyn: Assistant Researcher/Youth In Schools Officer

INTEREST AND SUPPORT GROUP FACILITATORS
Nonhlanhla Mkhize: Girl Talk (Girls 12-20s)
Akona Ntsaluba/Nonhlanhla Mkhize: G-Force ('Women' 21-35s)
Sbongile Mbhele: Ithemba Lethu (HIV+ below 200, on ARVs)
Sbongiseni Mkhwanazi: Friends For Life (16-25s)
Pravesh Hurdeen: Friends For Life (25s-40s)
Mani Steyn - Substance Use/Abuse (TBC)

FUNDERS: The Atlantic Philanthropies, HIVOS and Individual Donors.

OUR PROJECTS:

Tel: 031 301-2145
Fax: 031 301-2147
Email: info@gaycentre.org.za

Centre Manager: Nonhlanhla Mkhize (mc@gaycentre.org.za)

Projects and Services offered by the Community Centre

Personal Counselling & Support Groups
We will be training a number of volunteers to provide individual and group counselling on all personal issues related to being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered.

HIV/AIDS Education & Support
This extensive project deals with a range of issues and services for the LGBT community including Awareness workshops; HIV+ counselling groups; HIV+ lifestyle workshops; HIV drug treatment; HIV Buddies

Legal Advice Centre
The Advice Centre assists LGBTs in taking up a range of issues from employment discrimination to immigration to human rights issues. Cases will be dealt with at the centre or be referred out.

Reading and Resource Centre
A range of books, magazines, and videos are available for use at the Centre. We also plan to provide facilities for researchers.

Religious Project
This project is currently limited to establishing a database of religious services available to the LGBT community.

Tourist Advice Project
This will start up as a database for tourists of all LGBT friendly venues, spaces and activities in Durban. The project could grow into a tourist office for gay and lesbian visitors.

Other Projects & Activities
Health, Sport, Social Events