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Gay South African Man Appointed to Nation's Highest Court

January 2, 2009
By Walter Smith

Edwin Cameron, openly gay and HIV positive, has been appointed as a judge to the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the highest court in that Nation.   Judge Cameron becomes the first openly gay man or woman ever appointed to any nation's highest court.  The appointment came from South African President Mothlanthe on Wednesday.

A former Rhodes Scholar and human rights lawyer, Judge Cameron is the co-author of several books, including Witness to AIDS, a memoir on his experiences as a person living with AIDS.

Last summer, Judge Cameron addressed the International AIDS Conference in Mexico, arguing that homosexual sexual conduct should be decriminalized throughout the world, as a necessary step in fighting AIDS.  He elaborated the argument in a scholarly paper co-authored withwith Scott Burris.

We're always thrilled here at DaddyHunt when another mature gay man opens a new door for the rest of us.  Let's hope we see more gay men and women leading our world courts (and legistures and countries) soon.

Comments

Submitted by misterSir (not verified) on Sat, 2009-01-03 01:22.

interesting mister smith but before you go overtly gleeful with praising another national party,anglo-boer what is this person's track record and biography of serious work for the community and just not the white, gay male one? how much work has cameron done for all south africans especially the native african ones across all relationship paradigms/parametres? what is his track record in terms of community rulings or is just one of those white gay males who are sheltered by the bar and a gated community and hence, no a man of the people? oh, i see Mandiba appointed him back in 1994 to over see an arms deal case. fascinating?

perhaps before you go dashing with tied together shoe laces to heap praise on someone simply because they are same gender-loving best you check their history and this dossier. Otherwise, you may wind up sending accolades to closet Nazi's in your midst. I never think that everybody declared gay is functioning in the best interest of everybody else who is queer especially when they are queer people of colour.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 2009-01-03 13:19.

the guy bitching about the judge sounds like a strident, racist, black, radical bitch. mister sir has got anger manageement issues, see a shrink.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2009-01-05 10:24.

Attacking someone ad hominen sounds a lot more like bitching than just asking who the guy is. The questions are pertinent.

Submitted by Anthony (not verified) on Sat, 2009-01-03 01:26.

I met Judge Cameron when I attended the International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa, in 2000. I was then a consultant to the US Agency for International Development. I vividly remember his passionate address to the Conference which, in the climate of almost 9 years ago, was courageous in any number of ways, and the standing ovation his words received. I'm so glad to see that his extraordinary career as a jurist and his long crusade for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, especially in regard to access to HIV/AIDS medications for all, has received such recognition from the President and Government of South Africa.

Submitted by Tony (not verified) on Sat, 2009-01-03 04:41.

I am a South African gay man who knew Edwin back in the eighties and I can assure you that he has always been a courageous voice for human rights for all. Similar to the above poster, I reconnected with him briefly at an International AIDS Conference - the most recent one in Mexico City. There he spoke on the human rights violations occurring across the world due to legislation based on criminalizing HIV/AIDS. He has gained international respect and I would say his integrity is solid.

Submitted by playbear48 (not verified) on Sat, 2009-01-03 08:16.

It is interesting to see an openly gay man appointed to the Constitutional Court but I must correct one mistake:
" Judge Cameron becomes the first openly gay man or woman ever appointed to any nation's highest court"
Justice Michael Kirby was appointed to Australia's High Court in February 1996. He addressed the Gay Games opening ceremony in 2002 and has been an inspiration and a force for progress and justice in his official role. He is an extremely highly regarded figure in the Australian gay community.

Submitted by Walter Smith (not verified) on Sat, 2009-01-03 14:17.

Editor's Note: Thank you, playbear48 for your clarification. The distinction is that Michael Kirby was not out when he was appointed in 1996. He later came out as openly gay in 1999. However, it is true that both Justices Kirby and Cameron are openly gay and serving on their nation's highest courts. Justice Kirby will retire in February of this year. We applaud both men's achievements.