Over 20,000 people turned out for the parade to celebrate the 30th annual Johannesburg Pride at the end of October. Johannesburg Pride is the longest-running pride event in Africa and also one of the largest such parades in South Africa.
The Pride of Africa
This year organisers debuted a new flag inspired by the flags of all 54 African countries to advocate for the inclusion of all African LGBTIQ identities.
Organisers said Johannesburg Pride was all about celebrating The Pride of Africa.
LGBTIQ Africans from all over Africa flee to South Africa as the safest country for them on the continent.
South Africa’s constitution explicitly ensures the rights of LGBTIQ people.
The country was also the first African nation and the fifth country in the world to legislate for same-sex marriage.
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And then – a rainbow over Johannesburg Pride
During the march through the Sandton area of Johannesburg, a rainbow lit up the sky above the celebration. Some took the rainbow as a sign the weather approved of the march while others took it as a sign from God.
Rami Chuene tweeted, “God is such a show-off though!… Hello to the righteous, washed by the blood, whiter than snow, judgmental homophobes!”
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What “gods” may be, they approve #JOBURGPRIDE #GayPride #Rainbow #Rain pic.twitter.com/5xPBcbNH9b
— IG:the_bearded_ayanda 🔴⚫ (@iam_siyafierce) October 26, 2019
A thread of #jhbpride #JoburgPride 🌈🌈🌈 pic.twitter.com/cbvjwfgcpw
— Siqalala (@Siqalala) October 26, 2019
“Pride is proudly African, and authentically you,” said Johannesburg Pride
#JoburgPride @JhbPride 🏳️🌈 #WakandaForever #shonaprince🇿🇼 pic.twitter.com/KdlfDs6uXl
— ngonie kembo🇿🇼 (@Diamondkembo) October 27, 2019
Saw this picture on Facebook. Made me so happy 🌸#JoburgPride pic.twitter.com/Qz8FSAeBVz
— Thandiwe Seboletswe (@InformalTrader) October 26, 2019
Happy Pride 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈#JoburgPride pic.twitter.com/2iofSS4lMh
— LUNGELO Michael (@LUNGELOMichael1) October 26, 2019
Some Christian groups announced they would attend Johannesburg Pride, not to protest the occasion but to support the LGBTIQ community and offer hugs.
However, about 200 women mounted a protest along the route. They claimed because of social stigma and cost disadvantaged LGBTIQ people in the townships could not attend attend the event.
They also protested the commercialisation of the event. In fact, the parade enjoyed notable corporate support from the likes of Mercedes-Benz. The protestors also noted the predominance of white LGBTIQ people participating in a country with a majority black and coloured population.
We are HERE and QUEER 🌈#JoburgPride2019 pic.twitter.com/RP9q6xRwST
— Cum……. Laude 🌈 (@AnotherYolanda) October 27, 2019
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