African HRC Calls for Apology from South African Relationship ‘Specialist’ regarding Anti Gay Teaching

“Please let me know if you would be willing to review your material and revise your publication with corrections, and also if you would be willing to issue an apology to the LGBT community. I am not sure how much harm has been done at this point, yet it is never too late to right a wrong” Melanie Nathan, Executive Director African HRC

If you read about Gretha Wiid (www.grethawiid.co.za) you will see that she is a self styled educator, touted as relationship specialist, game lodge proprietor, and shall we say a relationship evangelical. She  advertises workshops to high school kids and other such events, with the solicitation we highlight below. Then there is that lucrative Johannesburg wedding industry, perhaps the ‘wind beneath her wings’, that may serve to be her downfall if she allows her discriminatory and ignorant teachings, as highlighted below, to encroach on her business dealings – After all South Africa is the one country on the continent of Africa that can boast full equality for all under the law:

Her Workshops:

EISH! This person so ignorant in her teachings about homosexuality – invested in her “feelings” about life rather than truth – and she is being set loose on South African kids! You wonder why I am concerned? Well take a look at what she has to say about homosexuality in a manual to be used by parents when talking to their children and then at the letter which I sent to her in my capacity as Executive Director of The African Human Rights Coalition, thereafter:

 

Subsequent updated more accurate Translation:

MY LETTER:

Dear Ms. Wiid,

It is with deep concern that I am writing to you.

I was sent a copy of a page from a manual which you apparently have written with regard to the raising of children, wherein you discuss homosexuality in a manner that conveys absolute ignorance and sets parents and children up for great harm. Homosexuality is not a choice.

You cannot have a “feeling” about what you think “causes” homosexuality – anymore than you can have a “feeling” why God gave some people black skin and others white skin. In the old days this type of “feeling” was used to justify Apartheid and now you use the same basis to reflect on why people are lesbian or homosexual. The danger of your dicta (notably your feeling in print) is the homophobia that results from it.

You have said you do not believe that people are born homosexual and much more – and it is this very type of talk that serves to justify the bullying, persecution and violence LGBT people are subjected to. However what makes your publication even more insidious is the fact its directed to parents, who are often on the frontline of the love and care needed to nurture children/teens when they come out. You direct your work at these parents who when believing homosexuality is a choice often kick kids out of their homes, resulting very often in homelessness and worse yet, suicide.

I am the Executive Director of the African Human Rights Coalition. Our organization was constructed as a direct result of the persecution caused by Christian Evangelicals, who in the name of Jesus and God invoke lies and myth which have resulted in the direct persecution of LGBT people. Everyday we are dealing with young people who have been banished from villages, evicted from homes, fired from jobs, assaulted, or blackmailed and tortured by police. These victims of persecution are borne from the language and myth that you have perpetuated in your written manual. These are not people who gleefully want to be gay as so shamefully portrayed in your writing. In fact when given the awful intolerance many fight off the urges of their innate sexuality and gender identity in attempts to be who they are not! This is anything BUT a choice! Without these teachings – where you assert that homosexuality is not innate but rather a choice, none of this persecution would be happening. But myth serves to scapegoat and it creates a climate of fear and divisiveness instead of inclusion, and love. I do not think Jesus preached the former, but imagine that he would have preferred the latter!

I would also like to point out that the perpetuation of untruths which serve to cause direct or indirect harm can be interpreted as “hate speech’. In South Africa LGBT people are considered equal to all other South Africans and their protection as such includes the right to their sexuality, and an ability to live without fear of the violence brought on by hate speech.

You have your absolute right to your freedom of expression – so long as it is truthful and does not hurt anyone else. And no one is stopping you from freely practicing your religion. There is nothing stopping your belief in Jesus and God. And your ability to pay homage, pray, and speak in the name of your religion. However when the manner in which you convey message, when you assert blatant lies and insert your “feelings” as if truth – it can crush others and so you are stepping on dangerous turf.

There is a scientific explanation behind homosexuality. You would better serve God if you wrote about this subject in an informed educated way. Lest we forget, that if you choose to quote the bible in this context, it is indeed an ever evolving work, that can indeed handle scientific parallels and contextual interpretations.

Please let me know if you would be willing to review your material and revise your publication with corrections, and also if you would be willing to issue an apology to the LGBT community. I am not sure how much harm has been done at this point, yet it is never too late to right a wrong.

Sincerely,

Melanie.

MELANIE NATHAN, Esq.
Executive Director
AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COALITION
www.AfricanHRC.org

CC. GLAAD SOUTH AFRICA

THE BUSINESS:
It would seem Gretha Wiid has quite a large Facebook following. And why does she do this? Well there seems to be a lot of merchandise for sale – most lucrative probably is the 44 luxury room lodge site, La Wiida – named for the owner- a  safari game lodge, wedding reception and conference center:

I wonder if anyone has conducted their same-sex wedding at the lodge? I wonder if she accepts same-sex weddings or turns them away – the latter would be contrary to South African law . Let us know!

This is how Wiid desribes herself in a short Arise Women’s Conference BIO:

Straightforward, humorous and with an unflinching dedication to God’s truth, Gretha Wiid is a renowned motivational speaker who travels the world to present faith-based teachings on relationships, marriage, family and the important role women play in God’s Kingdom.

Speaking with authority on issues of marital life, parenting, relationships and being a spiritual warrior, Gretha’s tongue-in-cheek sense of humour and practical application of God’s Word have made her a sought-after speaker across South Africa. The author of six books, Gretha has an Honours degree in Sex Education and Educational Psychology as well as Honours degrees in Sotho and Zulu. Gretha is a regular contributor on television, radio talk shows and in print media and lives in Pretoria with her four daughters and husband, Francois Wiid. Their core family values and Gretha’s teachings are founded on God’s Word.

Please keep an eye on these pages and contact Wiid’s publishers and conference speaking gigs to assert our complaint about her dangerous and possibly unlawful teachings.

CONTACT: Melanie Nathan, Commissionermnathan@gmail.com 
Tweet: @MelanieNathan1
African HRC Facebook Page: PLEASE LIKE at – https://www.facebook.com/africanhrc/