Oscar Pistorius dropped from ‘It Gets Better’ South Africa campaign against anti-gay bullying
The South African branch of the ‘It Gets Better’ campaign, which tackles anti-LGBT bullying, has severed its ties with Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius following his arrest over the shooting of his girlfriend.
A court heard today that it is unlikely that Pistorius, 26, will be granted bail during his trial for the alleged murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Prosecutors claimed that he put on his prosthetic legs before walking to shoot her through the bathroom door of their home.
Magistrate Desmond Nair said he could not rule out the possibility of premeditated murder.
Pistorius had contributed a video to the ‘It Gets Better’ campaign, which posts messages of encouragement for LGBT young people online.
In his video he said: “Just remember that you’re special. You don’t have to worry. You don’t have to change. Take a deep breath and remember ‘It will get better’.”
The video will now be removed from the campaign, which is due to launch at 7pm on Wednesday 20 February in the Cape Town Holocaust Centre.
Postgraduate student Andrew Barry headed the South African campaign, which will follow the model created three years ago by American activist Dan Savage.
America’s ‘It Gets Better’ campaign received the backing of President Barack Obama, Lady Gaga, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu; the South African campaign will include Mr Gay World 2011 Francois Nel.
