Cedric Fourie on his relationship with Lasizwe

This guy from #SkeemSam is gay..??????.. What a waste and to believe that I had a crush on him..?????? pic.twitter.com/8cWXLEgAm8

— QueenSamantha (@2ahtnamas2) November 17, 2018

In a QnA with DRUM, the actor revealed that he was an ally to the LGBTIQ+ community and also shared his thoughts on homophobia in South Africa.

Take a look at Cedric’s answers below.

What are your thoughts on homophobia in South Africa?

Personally, I feel as though there’s been quite a substantial amount of good work that has been done in creating awareness and addressing a lot of the LGBTQI+ community issues, however there’s still room to do a whole lot more. 

It is without a doubt that homophobia in South Africa still exists, but some of it’s core influences are based on ignorance, being misinformed, misconceptions of what masculinity and femininity mean and also failing to understand the fluidity of sexuality. Education towards this needs be able to involve all members of society and launch a platform where discussions may be had openly and resolutions achieved.

What do you think will help in people becoming more tolerant and accepting homosexuality?

I think that people’s beliefs, mindsets and what they deem as normality needs to be challenged and questioned. 

As much as people claim that nobody is born gay, we should also understand that nobody is born “straight” either. Science says there is no “gay gene” yet there is not “straight gene” either. In order to achieve acceptance and tolerance in societies, IGNORANCE needs to be killed and the usage of the word “straight” to describe those who aren’t part of the LGBTQI+ community needs to stop, because then it gives the impression that those who aren’t “straight” are “bent” “crooked” or out of form or shape which ideally sends the messages that “they need to be fixed” which is totally wrong. 

A lot of people outside the LGBTQI+ community believe that homosexuality is unnatural, if it is so, why is it also practiced in the animal kingdom?

Another way to achieve acceptance and tolerance towards the LGBTQI+ community is by through having more allies such as myself who understand the difficulties faced by the LGBTQI+ community, allies have a very important role to play as we come from the very same society that refuses to accept homosexuals. 

But those who aren’t part of the LGBTQI+ community yet don’t share the same sentiments of hate and intolerance towards homosexuals need to come out in numbers and stand side by side with the LGBTQI+ community and do their part in helping people understand, accept and have tolerance towards the LGBTQI+ community.

Do you think the entertainment industry is doing enough to bring about awareness in such issues?

I cannot speak for the entertainment industry at large, but I believe the T.V industry is doing their part to bring about awareness, there has been good amount of work done through our T.V shows in creating awareness of such issues as a lot of shows to date have had gay characters and still continue to do so. Through the stories we tell on T.V we get to elaborate what members of the LGBTQI+ community go through in their daily lives of not being accepted by society. I do, however, feel there’s still more that can be done and definitely should be done.

Are you part of the LGBTIQ+ community?
No, I am merely just an active ally to the LGBTQI+ community.

What is your relation to Lasizwe?

Lol, he has advised me to not answer this question just as yet.