GAY & LESBIAN PRIDE NEWS
Pride, The Wedding March! - more news
September 03, 2004
Hlubi Mboyo
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The annual Johannesburg Pride Festival, South Africa's original and largest Gay and Lesbian Pride celebration has been a fixture of the community for 14 years, and now going into it's 15th year of celebration and protest. The event occupies a unique place within the historical and tourism context of South Africa, and in so doing on PRIDE's 15th year coinciding with South Africa's 10 years of democracy, the event has aptly be named The Wedding March!
The theme, The Wedding March, being in support of the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project, and several other community organisations, in support of several same sex couples, who have recently given notice of their intention to challenge the common law definition of marriage in the Johannesburg High Court.
S.A Pride has in with the sprit of "Umbuntu ", a star studded cast lined up for the day concert, the very special line up includes for the first time our very own South African celebrity MC's, Hlubi Mboyo who will head up the task as main MC for the event and supported by Abby Plaatjies, the two renowned actress have pledged their support for S.A Pride, and will take the crowd through the day's events. Not with standing S.A Pride has also secured one of South Africans rising songsters Nana, who will be performing on stage from her début album, called 5 loves and 2 fish. Monde from Afrique will be show casing some of his designs in a gala fashion show at this year's event, and will be designing Hlubi Mboyo's dress for the event.
S.A Pride will also as part of its social awareness is donating a portion of funds receive by the entrance fee of R 30-00, being charged at the Fair Day, Zoo Lake, to Nkosi's Haven. Gail Johnson, director of Nkosi's Haven had the following to say, "It is indeed an honour and privilege to be part of the fun, colourful, vibrant annual S.A Pride march this year. We are exceptionally proud and thrilled to be nominated as the beneficiary. HIV/ Aids is taking its toll in every walk of life and Nokosi's Haven deals with it daily, by caring for the destitute HIV/AIDS infected mom, their children and resulting AIDS orphans. It is the infected children that need all the support in the world, and it is without a doubt, that all participants to the Wedding March, will respond with their normal love for life and care for children."
S.A Pride has once again two online partners namely, Gmax and Mambaonline, who will through out the duration of the S.A Pride month be keeping the community and rest of the world updated via the web. Gregory Francis-Mackenzie-Forbes, Marketing Manager for Gmax says: ""Media exposure for this type of event is extremely important. As can be seen in countries where freedom of expression is suppressed, so is the freedom of the press. Zimbabwe is a shining example of what happens when intolerance breeds discrimination. Like the LGBT community who annually celebrate the freedom of choice, the media too should join in the celebrations and exercise their right."
What is also being billed as the most anticipated Pride event, in association with Qurious Communications and the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project are set to place S.A Pride firmly on the international Gay map by hosting the official Pride After Party, aptly named The Honeymoon. International artist that will be performing at The Honeymoon, are Jimmy Somerville and Wayne G, opening with a spectacular fireworks show, at the Turbine Hall, Newtown Johannesburg. Tickets are R220-00 for VIP and R 100-00 normal, for more information Etienne on 0823237202 or e-mail Etienne@freshlybrewed.co.za.
Online information regarding the events can be found on www.gmax.co.za, www.mambaonline.com, and www.sapride.org or call the S.A Pride hot line on 082 234 4297 (GAYS). – Issued by SA Pride – For more information regarding the above, please contact Gary Bath on 0826250179 or Sean Lucas for any media related information on 0824709045.
Related
Nana - Five loaves, two fish, one fantastic voice and a Pride party that's gonna knock you dead! [02/09/2004]
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