[Posted on 06 January 2010]

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, transgender and intersex 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 orientation, health status, to coming out, mitigating/fighting stigma and discrimination, homelessness, drug use/abuse, living positively, to drafting wills, same-sex marriages and divorce.

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 and KwaZulu-Natal to refer 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 Library, 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. We host Professional Development Seminars, Movie Screenings, Interest and Support Group Meetings, and annual Gay Pride, Miss Gay Durban and LGBTI Activism Awards.

2010 COMMUNITY CENTRE TEAM
Administration Officer & Bookkeeper: Mr Sbongiseni Mkhwanazi
Director & Advocacy Officer: Ms Nonhlanhla Mkhize
Research Officer & Sexual Health Coordinator: Ms Nomvuyo Dlamini
HIV and Personal Counselling Officer: Ms Sbongile Mbhele
Legal Counselling and Advice: Volunteer Attorneys and Law Firms
Youth Wellbeing Programme Leaders: Ms Siphokazi Nombande, Ms Melvin Mthembu, Ms Luyanda Magubane, and Mr Siyabonga Mavundla
Community Outreach Youth Leaders: Mr Sbonelo Ncanana, Ms Nokukhanya Mbongwa and Mr Sbongiseni Khumalo
Community Wellbeing Leaders: Ms Nosiphi Malamlela, Ms Sbongile Mbhele and Mr Simphiwe Ngongoshe
Regional Youth Leaders: Vusi Mhlongo (Mhlathuze LGBTI Centre); Nomcebo Thungo (Mnambithi LGBTI Centre) and Linda Bhengu (KZN South Coast)
Library and Resource Centre: Ms Siphokazi Nombande and Mr Siyabonga Mavundla
WSW Research: Ms Varsha Rammy, Ms Sbongile Mbhele, Ms Thembi Khumalo and Ms Lisa Rowlands
Training: Gender, Human Rights and Sexual Orientation (Ms Nonhlanhla Mkhize); Sexual Health (Ms Nomvuyo Dlamini); STI, HIV and TB (Ms Sbongile Mbhele and Ms Simphiwe Ngongoshe)

SERVICE/INTERNSHIPS
Various Individuals

INTEREST AND SUPPORT GROUP FACILITATORS
Girl Talk (Girls 12-20s): Luyanda Magubane
G-Force ('Women' 21-35s): Sthembile Khumalo
Ithemba Lethu (HIV+,CD4 below 500, on ARVs): Sbongile Mbhele/Simphiwe Ngongoshe
HIV+ LGBTIs: Sbongile Mbhele
Friends For Life Junior (16-25s): Sbongiseni Mkhwanazi
Friends For Life Senior (25s-40s): Pravesh Hurdeen
Rehab Masters (Substance Users/Abusers): Mark Miller

OTHER ACTIVITIES
Yoga Classes: Mark (Durban)
Self Defence Classes: TYL (Ethekwini Municipality); Nomcebo (Mnambithi Municipality) and Nkosi (Mhlathuze Municipality)
Soccer: TYL (Ethekwini Municipality), Mazo (Mnambithi Municipality) and Nkosi (Mhlathuze Municipality)

FUNDERS
The Atlantic Philanthropies, The AIDS Foundation of South Africa, Schorer, HIVOS and Individuals.

MEMBERSHIP/AFFILIATIONS
Joint Working Group, International Lesbian and Gay Association, Coalition of African Lesbians, Amnesty International South Africa, KZN HPPB Task Team, etc.

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