Preamble:
I attend task team meetings and some NGO’s (LGBIT) meetings. Just to get grips of what is happening in LGBTI community industry. But also to note the gaps. I have been told many a times that the African Lesbian seems to be illusive, or she does not take herself seriously or she is an alcoholic who is governed by alcohol. They say if you want see her, tell her there is alcohol, women and sex. For a moment I thought that is an insult. And yet in reality I am beginning to believe it. Who is the African Lesbian, and what does she want.When I came out as a lesbian, I wanted to see material about the real life stories of the African Lesbian; I wanted to know the reality stories are told about culture, lifestyle, and acceptance. I wanted to know who I come out to. It was obvious that there is no structure, a formulated structure, and gay men seemed to have planed it all. I made a promise to myself that one day when I can, I want to be part to a progressive lesbian community. So dinner 4 8 is one of the efforts done to create awareness on what matters about being a lesbian.
I wanted to host the plenary session at Love and Revolution, cos that is owned by lesbians. Also cos it is one place where change is spoken of through poetry song and the dance. Unfortunately it was closed; they close at 13h00. But I went next door sat close to the area, so that when I see a lesbian coming through, I will invite them to join me there. Only four pitched, and they are my friends. You think they pitched cos they are lesbians who wants to see the change, or cos they are my friends. I had an open tap of R1000, our drinks were R160.
Now, here is this person whose social responsibility is directed towards working together to help change the perception for African lesbians, and also to create awareness and demystify mysteries about being a lesbian. And mobilizing from the ground, or grass root by engaging with on core issues. And none of those who were vocal and supportive of the Dinner 4 8 were there. The question is, is it relevant. Should it be done.
The minutes of the Dinner 4 8 Plenary meeting.I outlined that I will be allocating a minimum amount of R2000 for the dinner, that other lesbians who feel it will be adding value can contribute towards the kitty. A three meal course is prepared shared at the table. We plan to do it anyway. Guests will be selected by the crew, depending on their expertise and understanding.
1. We agreed that the purpose of Dinner 4 8 is:
· To showcase positive African lesbian lifestyle by inviting upcoming and successful lesbians to dinner for a meal, where as the young have role models to look up to.
· To showcase lifestyle through careers as subjects covered will require expects, hopefully from the (African) lesbian community
· Invite existing experts like chefs, audiovisual specialists to put together the complete 12months programmes, including scripting, and editing, also designers to showcase and sample their interior designers, graphic designers etc.
· To discuss in length relevant subjects that impact on the African Lesbian: culture, identity stereotypes, sexuality health, and subjects that are a mystery to many e.g: changing sex, butch parenting,
· It is meant to bring together a scattered talent to be molded into being for the generations yet to come, and for ourselves and as a community to share our reality.
2. We brainstormed on subjects that can be discussed, what could be shared; what the outcome should be. What we were not sure about who are the most relevant lesbians to invite and engage. Also whether Friday Dinner, or Saturday as the best day to host the show.
| Month | Theme | Who are invited | Crew Requirements | Outcome |
| Jan 28th | Financial Planning | A successful lesbian who has made it through advance financial planning, and 5 lesbian who want a financial mentor, and | A scripter An events planner A chef A interior designer A videographer an expert in financial planning | A better planned future. |
| Feb 24th | Love and Relationship | Three couples one who has been in a long term relationship, just married, and or engaged to be married | A scripter An events planner A chef A interior designer A videographer A relationship advisor | Lesbian Marriages are marriages too |
| March 30th | Lifestyle Theme: Cuban | 6 Individuals for dinner to share on their coming out stories | A scripter An events planner A chef A interior designer A videographer | Lesbians are humans with purpose too |
| April 27th | Legal implications’ of being a lesbian | Two lesbian in the legal fraternity, task team gov representative and individuals with questions | A scripter An events planner A chef A interior designer A videographer | Learning the constitutions |
| May 25th | The lesbian entrepreneur | Two CAILB representative, 5 businesses | A scripter An events planner A chef A interior designer A videographer | Business opportunities and success stories |
| June 29th | The Lesbian Parenting | 6 lesbians parents, married, single and | A scripter An events planner A chef A interior designer A videographer | Pros and cons of lesbian parenting |
| July 28th | Lesbian Fashion | 2 Fashionistas,2 Fashion designers, 2 image consultant | A scripter An events planner 2 Models A chef A interior designer A videographer | Different lesbians clothing lifestyle |
| August 25th | The Lesbian Cultural Woman | 7 lesbians from various cultural background | A scripter An events planner A chef A interior designer A videographer | Impact of culture To lesbians |
| Sep 29th | Spring: Sex Health Issues | 6 lesbians to talk about their sexuality, guest sexologist | A scripter An events planner A chef A interior designer A videographer | Health Sexuality awareness to lesbians |
| Oct 27th | Travel | 7 well travelled lesbians | A scripter An events planner A chef A interior designer A videographer | Travel Aspirations |
| Nov 24th | Books | 7 lesbians to review books | A scripter An events planner A chef A interior designer A videographer | A reading lesbian nation |
| December 16th | Year End Celebration | 20 lesbians for dinner | A scripter An events planner A chef A interior designer A videographer | A year end celebration |
3. Next Step
For lesbians to find which subjects they will conversant on. Register with the yet to be appointed convener.
Dinner 4 8 Panel is looking for volunteers:
· Project Convener
· Vidoegrapher, we already have two individuals who are keen
· Chefs: I have included my name. Fundi Ndaba
· Guest show hosts for topics
No comments:
Post a Comment