LGBTI Pride event paints Wattville colourful
Over 1000 people from various townships in Ekurhuleni attended the LGBTIAQ+ event
Dressed in flamboyant colours, over 1000 members of the LGBTIAQ+ community gathered at Rakele Park in Wattville on September 10 for the 15th annual Ekurhuleni LGBTI Pride 2022 event.
The event, which attracted mostly young people from all over Ekurhuleni, is aimed at celebrating the diversity of the community as well as creating awareness about issues faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people.
Under the theme ‘Claiming the Streets’ the day started with a 15km march led by MMC for health and social development, Bokang Lethoko, with activists chanting as they moved around the township.
Pride flags, which have become the universal symbol of the LGBTQ+ movement, were held high by activists during the march.
According to the organiser of the event, Ntsupe Mohapi, from Ekurhuleni Pride Organising Committee (EPOC), the event is held annually to promote and confront issues such as hate crimes, hate speech and discrimination faced by the LGBTIAQ community.
“Every year we target townships around Ekurhuleni intending to unite the LGBTIAQ community and create awareness of our existence by educating the community following murders and rapes of lesbians. The event was a success, although we were disappointed when EMPD members failed to pitch to escort us during the march,” said Mohapi.
At the event, attendees had an opportunity to browse through various stalls which sold LGBTI clothing and other items. A mobile clinic was on site to offer testing services while condoms and lubricants were handed out to attendees.
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