Entertainment Reporter.
Media personality Somizi Mhlongo and street dancer and DJ, Courtnae Paul shine a spotlight on the societal pressures of coming out and life within the LGBTQI+ community, LIVE on Ingram’s Skin Sessions on SABC 3’s Expresso Morning Show.
Ingram’s Skin Sessions is a thought-provoking campaign that explores brave conversations beyond the skin we are in. Next week involves looking at how society seems to pressure people within the LGBTQI+ community to disclose their sexuality.
Somizi and Courtnae look at what coming out means within the context of different cultures in South Africa. Why “coming out” is a metaphor used to describe LGBTQI+ people’s self-disclosure of their sexual orientation or gender identity and why it has become an expected norm. Yet these expectations do not exist for cisgender, heterosexual individuals.
“We need to work towards a society that values and celebrates all people equally. Each week of the campaign has been an eye-opener that has taken South Africans on a journey of introspection and self-reflection,” expresses Ingram’s Marketing Manager Lauren Burmeister about the campaign. “Issues of inequality are topics that we seek to explore and we wanted to create a space to have these conversations with Ingram’s Skin Sessions. Whether it’s exploring the lives of individuals with various skin conditions, mental health, or diversity and inclusivity, everybody matters to us”, concluded Burmeister.
On Tuesday 20 July, Ingram’s Skin Sessions explores the topic of Igniting Inclusivity. For a third successive year, transgender women have been eligible to enter the prestigious Miss South Africa pageant. Driving the discussion about how all women should be celebrated and equally valued in society are Stephanie Weil (CEO, Miss SA organization) in conversation with LGBTQI+ activist and reality star Yaya Mavundla and LGBTQI+ advocate and professional Sophia Sibanda.
Ingram’s Skin Sessions kicked off the 2021 campaign with body positivity activists Oyama Botha and Boitumelo Rametsi discussing challenging Beauty Standards by using social media. Week two saw comedian Nina Hastie and Sizakele Phohleli talking all things Acts Of Liberation, from self-expression to mental health.
In the coming weeks, Ingram’s Skin Sessions will feature authentic conversations about various issues such as Reclaiming Your Identity and Unmasking The Modern Man, led by poet Lebo Mashile, actor Muzi Mthabela, and TV presenters Ryle de Morny and Refilwe Modiselle.
Tune into Expresso Morning Show on Tuesday and Friday weekdays at 06h00 – 09h00 to join the brave conversation. Viewers can also continue the conversation with Somizi and Courtnae on their IG LIVE after the show on 13 July 2021.
Ingram’s Skin Sessions will conclude on Friday, 20 August 2021.