The Organisation of Lesbian and Gay Activists (OLGA) was an

LGBT rights Rights affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people vary greatly by country or jurisdiction—encompassing everything from the legal recognition of same-sex marriage to the death penalty for homosexuality. Notably, , 33 ...

organisation in

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

. The group started as Lesbians and Gays Against Oppression (LAGO) and in 1987 reorganised as OLGA. Both organisations fought for LGBT rights and were anti-apartheid. OLGA was affiliated with the United Democratic Front (UDF) and sent suggestions for a more inclusive constitution for South Africa to the

African National Congress The African National Congress (ANC) is a Social democracy, social-democratic political party in Republic of South Africa, South Africa. A liberation movement known for its opposition to apartheid, it has governed the country since 1994, when ...

(ANC).

History

The Gay Association of South Africa (GASA), an

organisation in

, would not take a stance on

anti-racism Anti-racism encompasses a range of ideas and political actions which are meant to counter racial prejudice, systemic racism, and the oppression of specific racial groups. Anti-racism is usually structured around conscious efforts and deliberate a ...

activism. By 1986, the group fell apart and black lesbian and gay South Africans left to form the Rand Gay Organisation, while white activists came together to form Lesbians and Gays Against Oppression (LAGO). LAGO was created in

Cape Town Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...

in 1986 and took a definite anti-apartheid stance. In addition, the group had links to other anti-apartheid groups. The later iteration of LAGO, OLGA, was affiliated with the United Democratic Front (UDF). Some of the founders of LAGO were prominent anti-apartheid activists, including Derrick Fine, Sheila Lapinsky,

Julia Nicol Julia Nicol (1956 – 3 April 2019) was a South African activist and librarian. Nicol worked with LGBT groups in South Africa and was a co-founder and leader of the Organisation of Lesbian and Gay Activists (OLGA). Biography Nicol was born in ...

and

Ivan Toms Ivan Toms (11 July 1952 – 25 March 2008) was a South African physician, who battled the Apartheid era government as a prominent apartheid, anti-Apartheid and anti-conscription activist. At the time of his death in 2008, Toms was serving as ...

. There were initially six members. The LAGO

constitution A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of Legal entity, entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed. When ...

required that all decisions needed to be made by full consensus. In October 1987, LAGO was dissolved because of this deadlock. It was immediately reorganised as the Organisation of Lesbian and Gay Activists (OLGA) with the same goals as LAGO, but with a modified constitution. While OLGA was initially founded by mostly white gays and lesbians, it had an interracial membership. By 1991, there were 35 members with 200 people interested in their work. OLGA was dissolved in 1994.

Activities

OLGA raised awareness of gay and lesbian rights by wearing t-shirts and buttons with pro-LGBT slogans. The group was also involved in the fight around

HIV The human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are two species of ''Lentivirus'' (a subgroup of retrovirus) that infect humans. Over time, they cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which progressive failure of the immune ...

. OLGA also explicitly fought against apartheid. They were involved in public events, such as meetings, workshops and

demonstrations Demonstration may refer to: * Demonstration (acting), part of the Brechtian approach to acting * Demonstration (military), an attack or show of force on a front where a decision is not sought * Demonstration (political), a political rally or prote ...

. OLGA submitted proposals to the African National Congress (ANC) Constitutional Committee that would include language providing rights to LGBT individuals. This was called the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Rights Charter, and it was decided that ANC should also fight for LGBT rights.

References

Sources

* {{Authority control LGBT political advocacy groups in South Africa Anti-Apartheid organisations LGBT organisations in South Africa 1987 establishments in South Africa 1994 disestablishments in South Africa