### The unexpected impact of the suspension of foreign financing by the United States: an increasing responsibility for South Africa towards LGBTIQ+
While South Africa celebrates human rights day on March 21, it is crucial to question the persistent struggles for the equality and dignity of marginalized communities, especially LGBTIQ+people. The cessation of foreign financing initiated by the Trump administration represents a disturbing turning point, not only for health programs in the United States, but also for human rights worldwide, especially on the African continent.
#### A loaded historical context
South Africa, a pioneer in the adoption of laws favorable to LGBTIQ+, has always inspired social movements across the continent. Indeed, the South African Constitution is often cited as one of the most progressive in the world, guaranteeing, in theory, equal rights to all, regardless of their sexual orientation. However, this legislation encounters obstacles in practice, while many African countries continue to criminalize homosexuality, displaying severe laws inherited from the colonial era.
The suspension of funds, initially planned to support programs to combat HIV/AIDS specifically oriented towards LGBTIQ+communities, aggravates an already critical problem: inequitable access to health care. Institutes such as the Anova Health Institute and the Reproductive Wits Health and Hiv Institute, which offer services to thousands of people, must now face alarming budgetary gaps, rendering any transition to an almost impossible economic and operational self -sufficiency.
#### Evaluation of health impacts
At the continent, the consequences will be akin to the collapse of the support ecosystem for the most vulnerable populations. In 2022, UNAIDS reported that the prevalence rate of HIV in men with sex with men in sub -Saharan Africa is fourteen times higher than in the general population. Programs like PEPFAR had clearly demonstrated their effectiveness by reducing risks and promoting equal access to health services.
On the other hand, the absence of funding risks plunging these groups into a descending spiral where stigma and social exclusion fuel problems such as depression and other mental disorders, exacerbated by the lack of psychological support. A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that LGBTIQ+ people are three times more likely to suffer from mental disorders than their non -LGBTIQ+ peers.
### Southern Africa: a lighthouse in darkness?
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s reaction to this situation underlines the urgency of strong and dynamic leadership. South Africa must not only compensate for the lack of international support but also position itself as a key player in the defense of LGBTIQ+ rights on a continental scale. However, this requires increased solidarity, both local and international.
It would be appropriate for South Africa to establish partnerships with non -governmental organizations in other African countries to develop attenuation strategies. A collective approach could also include lobbying with foreign governments to become aware of the impact of their policies on vulnerable populations.
#### Towards a new activism
In parallel, the harmful influence of certain conservative religious groups, whose funds are often diverted to support homophobic legislation, should not be underestimated. A 2020 report revealed that more than 70 % of anti-LGBTIQ+ laws in Africa had direct links with non-governmental organizations supported by foreign funds, mainly from the United States. This highlights the need for resistance not only legal, but also socially and culturally.
South Africa could benefit from a proactive strategy to counter this influence by strengthening the resilience of LGBTIQ+communities. This could involve civic education, awareness campaigns and the enhancement of positive models within African media.
#### Conclusion
The suspension of foreign financing by the United States may well prove to be a tragic but revealing turning point for the rights of LGBTIQ+ in Africa. As a nation having the potential to play a leader’s role, South Africa faces a choice: to become a strong voice for human rights or to be carried away by a rising tide of intolerance and inequality. Recent history has proven that change is possible, but it will depend on the collective desire to resist and engage in the principles of equality and dignity, not only for LGBTIQ+ but for all marginalized people on the continent.