NEWS Gaypride: 15 years old and still going strong September 27, 2004 Some of the revelers at Pride 2004 JOHANNESBURG — People of all sexes, races, ages and orientations hit the streets of Johannesburg on Saturday for the fifteenth Gay Pride march in the city. Police took part in the revelry. Instead of arresting drag queens as they had threatened to do before the march, they video-taped the flamboyant crowd. After getting off to a slow start, the gathering grew until it filled a number of blocks of Jan Smuts Avenue. Some people were half-naked, some clad in leather, but many had not dressed up at all. Battling windy conditions, the parade moved along Jan Smuts, up to Oxford road, and down again via Rosebank. Gay and lesbian groups reacted violently this month when metro police said they would enforce a 1993 law stipulating that people taking part in public marches or protests may not obscure their faces. The parade was given the go-ahead last Monday after a meeting between metro police, the SA Police and the organisers. "It was agreed that the parade should take place... without hindrance, provided there is no violation of the law. It was also agreed that none of the participants will be allowed to consume liquor," Metro police spokesman Wayne Minnaar said. – Sapa Related stories Prizes from SA's Top Brands at the Pride 2004 Gmax.co.za stand [21/09/2004]