Celebrate Pride with Queer Couples Picnic in Jozi

The Queer Couples Picnic is a unique gathering to build resilience, celebrate LGBTIQ+ love, authenticity, freedom of expression and diversity in a non-judgmental, non-sexist and non-phobic setting.

The picnic will take place on Saturday 5th of October at Victoria Yards from 12h00 midday until late, and it is free till 17h00.

This is a safe space to promote positivity and advocate for queer love and inclusion and a holistic exploration of ways to keep, protect and nurture queer love.

The event will have edutainment activities such as a panel discussion about couples who will share their experiences in Q&As, a session with a Sex, Intimacy and Relationship Coach and Therapist and there will also be edutainment games, followed by performances.

Speaking about the initiative, transgender activist Yaya Mavundla said she believes that all love deserves to be celebrated and recognised.

“When I met my partner, I wanted the world to know that I was in love, but the fear of what would come with that influenced my decision not to. I know so many couples in our community feel like that and I think such initiatives are important to affirm to ourselves that we are also deserving of love, we are also deserving to be free with who we love – anytime, anywhere,” said Mavundla

She further shared how a couple she met was also a major inspiration for this picnic. “I recently met an openly gay couple back home in Untunjambili, Kranskop in KwaZulu-Natal, and they have been together for six years. Their love is celebrated by the community and it truly warmed my heart to see that happening in the community I grew up in where there was no representation of the LGBTIQ+ community”.

Couples are encouraged to bring picnic baskets and blankets and celebrate love in a safe space with those who look like them.

After the Joburg edition, The Queer Couples Picnic intends to travel to different provinces in partnership with Access Chapter2.