He had to figure it all out on his own. When he started developing feelings as a teenager, he didn’t know much about what he was going through.
Which is why Lasiwe Dambuza (22) has called for children to be taught about homosexuality.
His suggestion was met with ire and outrage on social media, but he stands by it.
“I believe we need to start educating kids from the ages of 7 about homosexuality and make them understand about same sex love,” he tweeted. The conversation continued on his reality tv show, Fake It till You Make It season 3 on MTV, when he told his niece, “your uncle likes boys”, which left her quite shocked.
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The
social media personality had to find his own way as a child.
“I was never informed on the topic of homosexuality. No one taught me anything. I had to teach myself and learn along the way as I grew up,” he tells DRUM.
“I first realised at the age of 12 that I was attracted to the same sex, but I only became honest and comfortable with myself at the age of 16,” he says.
It was quite a daunting journey of self-identity especially as a teenager. “I have always been my biggest supporter,” Lasizwe says. He had to carve his own path and wasn’t afraid of being who he is. Other kids might not have that luxury, which is why he had hoped to open a debate about the issue.
Lasizwe says the debate that was sparked by his suggestion revealed the depth of homophobia in society.
“This is why I advocate for homosexuality to be openly discussed at an early age, because it’s a reality. The more this is done, those who struggle with coming out will have it easier,” he says.
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There are parents who deny their children the freedom to be who they really are.
“They are boxing their child and disabling them to live their own life to their fullest potential. I did not do it for myself, I did it for the future generations. Having these types of conversations will make it easier on the next generation so they can live a different life from that of our uncles and brothers,” he adds.
