Several LGBTI+ and human rights organizations came together this week and released a joint press statement condemning the hate crimes that have been rocked South Africa over the last couple of months. They joined forces to call on South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and everyone in the country to condemn and fight every phobia towards LGBTI+ persons. Listing some of the hate crimes that have left a number of LGBTI+ identifying persons dead, the statement which was signed by more than twenty organisations requested the government to look into the situation and take steps to create a safe South Africa for every queer person. The government has also been asked to make functional the entities that were originally put in place to provide rapid response to violence against LGBTI South Africans. The organisations are also asking for immediate action be taken to enact the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill, which remains unaddressed and inconclusive. The joint statement further appeals to religious leaders to desist from spreading homophobia and instead use their influential positions to call for love, tolerance and acceptance.