We will facilitate a dialogue discussion about the topic as stated in the programme: access to shelters. Who is in? Who is out? aims to address the challenges of sheltering and prejudices around the matter. We aim to look at it from many angles, I.e. what are the challenges for the women [people] who need to access shelters, what are the challenges for the shelters themselves, what are the funding challenges. The session will start with screening of “The bad side of the Paradise” a short documentary about hate crimes, setting the background of how many marginalized people are in situations of homelessness. Funeka Soldaat, grassroots activist and founder of Free Gender will speak about challenges. Screening of stories on DVD of women who needed to make use of a shelter at some stage in their lives. Liesl Theron, director of Gender DynamiX will share insight from interviews, when researching access to shelters as experienced by LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex) people. The research was later published in a book by Jacana, called “A Tapestry of Human Sexuality in Africa”. Synnov Skorge, director of the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children who run 2 shelters, a short stay and long stay shelter will also speak from the point of view of shelters and their challenges. Residents from the Saartjie Baartman Shelter will also be present and engage in the dialogue. We hope and aim to have interactive discussions and audience participation.

Venue: Artscape Theatre Centre, Foreshore, Cape Town