joburg's gay pride celebrates 18

By BTM Reporter

February 15, 2006: The annual Johannesburg Gay Pride parade is celebrating 18 years of existence this year, which will be run by the newly-formed Joburg Pride Company.

Adopting the theme 'Coming of Age', Joburg Pride Company has already announced its plans starting October.

The organisation, which is pending registration as a ‘Section 21 Not For Gain Company’, is comprised of volunteer members of the local gay community. It was elected in June last year when various representatives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Intersex (LGBTI) organisations and other interested groups met to determine the way forward for the long-running Joburg Pride.

This year’s celebrations will be gay identity and freedom in the context of Africa.

“Joburg Pride has experienced many difficult growing pains over the years”, says Joburg Pride Company Chair, Tracey Sandilands.

She continued that; “But the new organisation is determined to ensure that this year’s event will be organised in a professional and financially responsible manner.”

Kicking off on 30 September, the festival will include a week-long series of gay events in the areas of arts and culture, entertainment, community development and workshops to address current issues affecting LGBTI people.

The festival will recapitulate on 6 October in the traditional Parade followed by an open-air celebration, and later by after-parties at various venues around Johannesburg.

The parade dates have been chosen in consultation with the City of Johannesburg. The route for the Parade is under discussion, and will be announced once finalised.

“The city deserves an event that has the support of the region’s LGBTI community, and which will become the foundation for an increasingly popular and memorable annual world-class Pride celebration”, vaunted Sandilands.

Joburg Pride Company’s vision for 2007 and beyond is to contribute towards the creation of a world in which a united and equally developed LGBTI community confidently expresses its identity and diversity, is recognised and celebrated, and its constituents are seen as full and equal members of all societies.