GAY & LESBIAN PRIDE NEWS
Joburg Pride 2008 to show it's love
The 19th annual Joburg Pride Parade prepares to hit the streets
September 22, 2008
A scene from last year's Pride - Photo: Ryan Young
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JOHANNESBURG — Joburg’s citizens will be celebrating their diverse sexual identities and freedoms on Saturday 4 October at the 19th annual Joburg Gay Pride Parade, presented by 5FM and Flex Bender, in what promises to be a day of contemplation but also outrageous fun and entertainment.
The anticipated Parade, complete with a host of floats and thousands of revellers, is set to kick off at Zoo Lake Sports Club at 11am and wind its way through the streets of Rosebank before returning to the Sports Club field.
The celebrations will continue until 6pm, with live entertainment, drag shows and 5FM DJs – Christina Knight, Grant and Anele, Fix and Euphonik – getting down with the crowds. There will be plenty of food and drink on offer, as well as a number of stalls.
And expect to see the much-anticipated “Drag-Race” – cancelled last year due to the rain – in which the city’s most fabulous divas will take part. A children’s area with a jumping castle will be provided to entertain younger Pride-participants.
In recognition of the impact of HIV/Aids on all communities in South Africa, there will be a free HIV counselling and testing station, which will also offer substance abuse counselling.
A ‘Community Village’ will house representatives from a number of gay community NGO organisations as well as pay homage to the victims of homophobic hate crimes; highlighting this year’s theme of ‘Love, Not Hate.’
“The 2008 theme of Love, Not Hate is an important reminder that while we have a Constitution that aims to protect all of us equally, the daily reality for too many people across our country is frighteningly different,” says Justice Edwin Cameron in a message of support for Joburg Pride.
“In the midst of this continuing struggle for justice and equality, Pride is an important celebration of diverse identities and freedoms hard-won,” he adds.
"Joburg Pride is a special, once-in-a-year occasion for the usually disparate and invisible LGBT community to come out in a united show of force that celebrates who we are – and to make the assertion that we will continue to resist homo-prejudice and discrimination. Malibongwe igama lama-LGBT," affirms Joburg Pride Co-chair Zak Mbhele.
Over 5, 000 people took part in the 2007 event despite the unseasonable downpour and Joburg Pride organisers anticipate an even larger crowd this year.
For Joburg Pride Co-chair Tanya Harford, the event is not just for lesbian and gay people. “Joburg Pride is a day of celebration for anyone who supports and respects diversity. Bring your friends, your pets and the whole family,” she says.
Gates open at Zoo Lake Sports Club from 9am. Entrance is free. The parade begins at 11am and is expected to return to the start at around 12.30pm. Soft-drink and water points will be provided for marchers and pets. The post-parade celebrations continue until 6pm after which revellers are expected to leave the venue. For more information about Joburg Pride 2008, visit www.joburgpride.org.
Joburg Pride Week
The week before the annual Joburg Gay Pride Parade will see a number of Pride themed events organised by gay-friendly and gay-owned businesses and venues. Chief among these is the Cinema Nouveau screened by Fish Eagle Pride Film Festival, two fundraising film premieres for Pride (introduced by international celebrity RuPaul), an Interfaith Labyrinth Walk Service, Soweto Pride on 27 September and various events at gay bars and clubs – all culminating in the parade and a variety of post-parade after-parties around Gauteng. For more information on these and other pride-themed events, visit www.joburgpride.org.
Win with Joburg Pride
Pride is offering those interested in staying in touch with the latest Pride news an opportunity to join Joburg Pride's news database AND win a Nokia N82 worth R5, 000. To join the database and stand in line to win, SMS your name and email address to 32042. SMSs cost R1 and only one entry per person is allowed. Joining the list will ensure that subscribers receive up-to-date info about Joburg Pride as it becomes available. Subscribers may unsubscribe at any time. The competition closes at 6pm on Saturday 4 October. – Issued by Joburg Gay Pride Festival
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RuPaul film premiere to raise funds for Joburg Pride
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