12 May 2025 | Story: Nontobeko Moimane | Photo: Supplied.
2 minutes read time.
Mx Thapelo Kgakatsi, Projects Officer at the Vaal University of Technology’s (VUT) Campus Health Services, recently led a sexual and gender diversity workshop for the Vanderbijlpark Trauma Counselling Empowerment Centre on 6 May 2025.
The workshop aimed to break the stigma and discrimination faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. It formed part of VUT’s broader commitment to building safe, inclusive, and informed spaces for its diverse student and staff population.
In a society where discussions about sexuality and gender identity are often met with discomfort or prejudice, VUT chose to lead with compassion, knowledge, and advocacy. The workshop tackled critical and often misunderstood topics, including human sexuality, gender identity, sexual orientation, and the health risks faced by members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Mx Kgakatsi introduced participants to key concepts such as biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, intersex and transgender experiences, anatomical sex, and inclusive terminology. What made the session particularly impactful was the humanising of these definitions. Real-life examples, including the story of celebrated athlete Caster Semenya, gave immediacy and depth to the discussion.
Attendees were reminded that biological sex exists on a spectrum and is not confined to a binary. “It’s not as simple as pink for girls and blue for boys,” noted Mx Kgakatsi. Gender, as a social construct, and sexuality, as a deeply personal experience, intersect in powerful and unique ways for each individual.
The workshop also addressed persistent myths and misconceptions that have fuelled stigma, discrimination, and even violence against LGBTQIA+ individuals. Issues such as hate crimes, prejudice in healthcare settings, and exclusion from community spaces were confronted with empathy, facts, and a call to action.
Key objectives included equipping the centre with the knowledge and confidence to engage on these issues, raising awareness about comfort zones, personal identity, and the importance of supportive and affirming environments.
VUT’s Campus Health Services, in collaboration with internal departments and student organisations, plans to roll out further educational sessions, awareness campaigns, and health screenings tailored to the unique health and psychosocial needs of LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and surrounding communities.
The message was clear: while institutional policies are vital, meaningful change starts when individuals choose to listen, learn, and lead with empathy.
