Love is love. Queer rights are human rights. These were some of the banners brandished by the hundreds of marchers that took part in the annual Cape Town Pride Parade on Saturday 2 March.
Love is love. Queer rights are human rights. These were some of the banners brandished by the hundreds of marchers that took part in the annual Cape Town Pride Parade on Saturday 2 March.
The event, which aims to highlight challenges faced by the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and others (LGBTQIA+ community, saw hundreds of people making their way down the Green Point Fan Walk chanting freedom songs.
Leading up to parade, organisers hosted various events around the city.
The large group assembled in Prestwich Street in De Waterkant then made their way down the Fan Walk to the Green Point A Track where the Mardi Gras parade took place.
The procession, led by Mr and Miss Cape Town Pride, followed by the popular bikers from Ride with Pride, stopped briefly at the rainbow crossing in Somerset Road where Rob Quintas, Mayco member for urban mobility, and Wentzel April, Cape Town Pride festival director, did a ribbon cutting to officially kick off the parade.
Kelly Cupido, Miss Cape Town Pride 2024, encouraged people to “flaunt your truth and love your truth”.
Jody Dryden, Mr Western Cape Humanitarian Sovereign 2023, said he participates in the parade annually.
“It’s been a good experience I enjoy seeing the Cape Town pride community stand together.
“To the people out there, I would like to say be yourself no matter what people think or say about you. Go out there and show the world what you are made of.”
Regular festival goer, Marco Castoldi explains that he joins the parade to form part of the celebrations and to highlight the challenges facing LGBTQIA+.
“Let us continue to fight intolerance, LGBTQIA-phobias, human rights injustices and focus on raising awareness of our beautiful community,” concludes Adams.
