JOBURG PRIDE INVITES LGBTI GROUPS & NGOS

Organisers of the Johannesburg Pride scheduled for 28 September in the city centre have invited South African and international LGBTIAQ and human rights NGOs and community groups to take part in the event.

In a statement, the Pride committee said it plans to highlight three issues this year: “corrective” rape; homo-/transphobia; and hate crimes.

“While we are fully aware that these issues are not exhaustive [they] will be highlighted as this year’s focal points – with a focus on South Africa and the African continent in general,” said Simone Heradien, Johannesburg Pride Human Rights Campaign Manager.

“In the interest of not sidelining any pertinent, burning issues within this and the global human rights sectors, Johannesburg Pride would like to invite you to ‘Make Your Voices Heard'”.

Heradien suggested that groups could use all or permutations of three possible Pride platforms to communicate their messages.

These included the NGO-Village (centred within the core of Pride activities on Mary Fitzgerald Square); the Pride March itself (by way of floats or cars, groups marching in an organisation’s branded clothes, or placard-carrying groups); and Pride-Week (by hosting or co-hosting events and activities).

Heradien added that any other suggestions would be welcomed. For more information, contact her on simone@johannesburgpride.co.za.

The event will be based in Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, while the parade route will pass the Johannesburg Central Police Station and the Gauteng Legislature and will include the iconic Nelson Mandela Bridge.

The committee, which was formed in the weeks following the dissolution of the company that previously organised the event in April, has asserted that they are putting on the 24th Johannesburg Pride.

Another group, however, intends to host a ‘People’s Pride’ event in the city the following Saturday, 5 October, which organisers say will be more political and inclusive.

Johannesburg Pride is the oldest and largest LGBTI Pride event on the African continent.