Violence and discrimination against LGBTIQ individuals in South Africa: legal rights vs. lived realities

Abstract

South Africa is internationally recognized for its progressive legal protections of LGBTIQ + populations; yet, these individuals continue to experience pervasive violence and discrimination. This study examines the disjuncture between formal rights and lived realities, highlighting how factors such as gender identity, sexuality, health status, and visibility contribute to vulnerability to violence and discrimination. Data were drawn from the Global Pride Study, using an anonymous, self-administered online survey completed by 130 South African LGBTIQ + adults aged 18 and older. The survey captured demographic characteristics, health status, social connectedness, and detailed experiences of violence and discrimination. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used to identify patterns and predictors of harm. Findings reveal widespread victimization: 57.4% of participants reported verbal insults, 38.8% threats of violence, and 23.3% sexual assault. Transgender respondents reported disproportionately high rates of threats and physical assault, while bisexual women were notably overrepresented in the sample. Identity disclosure and functional limitations emerged as significant predictors of vulnerability, highlighting the risks associated with visibility and health inequities. Despite progressive constitutional and legal frameworks, LGBTIQ + individuals in South Africa remain highly vulnerable to harm, with violence and discrimination embedded in multiple social and institutional domains. This study contributes to global evidence by providing quantitative analysis from an underrepresented context. Targeted interventions—including strengthened hate crime reporting, culturally competent healthcare training, focused outreach to vulnerable populations, and future additional research on the geographic and socio-political context are essential to close the gap between formal protections and lived experiences and to ensure substantive equality for LGBTIQ + communities.