The Jozi Cats
are South Africa’s first openly inclusive gay rugby team.
After starting
up in early 2016, the team began their campaign in the world of rugby with a
photoshoot that was designed to challenge masculine stereotypes that surround
the sport.
The shoot
presents the players in provocative poses in front of images that contain
homophobic slurs.
The flanker for
the Cats, Desmond Roux is featured wearing a bejewelled crown, whilst other
members of the team hold glittery magic wands.
Roux says the
team was created in order to provide a safe space for the gay community and to
encourage people to find friends in their teammates, something they are very
proud of.
Fellow teammate
Teveshan Kuni told The Dominion Post that the Cats want to let the gay
community in South Africa know that they “are an alternative space for them to
come and hang out”.
The team says
they want to encourage publicity and recruit further members, whilst also
raising awareness for homosexuals who have the desire to take part in a team
orientated sport.
Player Larry
Viljoen added that rival teams feared the Cat’s for both their formation and
their potential gameplay.
There have been
fears that the Jozi Cats may upset the balance in the world of South African
rugby, by bringing an openly gay team into the sport.
The country’s
protection of LGBT community has been turbulent over the past decade.
As recently as
2012 there was a request filed to remove all LGBT rights from the Constitution
by the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa).
Though this was
rejected, it was a clear demonstration that the LGBT community is supported by
the whole population.
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