Diamonds (D’gayle) was established by a group of friends, namely Mr Jerry January and Mr Tumelo Kgoro, who saw the need to formalize a monthly social gathering. Through these social meetings, issues that affected the group, specifically how they experienced hate and discrimination in their communities arose. Communion was also found in their fear about speaking out about these issues. Through the growing reputation of the social, the need to have it registered as an official organization arose and Diamond Gay and Lesbian was birthed.
Diamonds is a LGBTIQ non-profit organization based in the Northern Cape South Africa. The organization operates in three Districts namely; Frances Baard, John Taolo Gaetsewe and Small parts of ZF Mgcawu. The organization strives to provide a social and safe space for LGBTIQ people and aims to address their needs, interests and concerns. Diamonds also seeks to counter and oppose manifestations of homophobia, prejudice and discrimination on all areas of society by promoting knowledge on LGBTIQ issues, fostering mainstream acceptance of LGBTIQ people and facilitating greater understanding of sexual and gender diversity and difference within the Northern Cape.
D’gayle asserts itself as an organization that forms part of the South African democratic project that aims to establish and entrench a Human Rights culture in our society as laid out in the constitution and the Bill of Rights. D’gayle believes that the post-apartheid transformation process of disadvantaged people and communities must involve the removal of patriarchal, homo-prejudiced and heterosexist attitudes and ideas that inhibit the full realization of sexual minority liberation. In line with this, D’gayle upholds six values enshrined in our Constitution:
Freedom | Equality | Human Dignity | Non-discrimination | Non-racialism | Non-sexism
History of Activities Since Inception
D’gayle which has been operational since 2007 June, has concentrated on:
- Awareness Campaigns and Providing HCT through the MSM Netball Tournament hosted in Partnership ICAP.
- Social events aimed to create safe social spaces, included in the program with drag performances, Poetry Sessions and themed parties accessible to the community to network.
- Participation in the first Diamond Pride LGBTIQ Pride in March 2009 in partnership with ICAP, Institute of Justice and reconciliation and our provincial AIDS Council.
- Hosting and creating support groups for LGBTIQ to meet and talk about issues affecting them as and to create support systems within the community.
- Hosting the annual Miss LGBTIQ Ambassador competition which acts as a public awareness program
- D’gayle is part of The Provincial Civil Society Forum. Representation within this LGBTI sector constitutes a large number of D’gayle’s members.
- Forming part of district HIV/Aids councils
- Forming part of the provincial Task Team with the Department of Justice
D’Gayle Diamond 