Written laws effectively remain on the shelves," writes Monica Mbaru, coordinator of the Africa Program at the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), via email. "There is very little community awareness or empowerment. The marketing of South Africa as a tourist destination has seen huge resources being directed to a few urban centres, such as Cape Town or Durban. But this merely camouflages the high poverty rate in South Africa." "Gay tourism is very big business [in South Africa] with tons of local gay operators, accommodation venues, restaurants, clubs and bars in the affluent and commercial areas," says South-African born Tracey Sandilands, executive director of Pride Toronto and former board member for South African Pride fests Cape Town Pride and Joburg Pride. Full Article at Xtra.ca