I Am Queer Fest sets precedence for Joburg Pride
JOBURG – The LGBTQI community comes together to celebrate inclusivity, diversity and representation.
LGBTQI – lesbian, gay, transgender, queer and intersex community is coming out loud and proud and they want you to know it. The I Am Queer Fest celebrates their queerness by acknowledging their diversity by having a come-together and celebration with music and food.
On 9 August, organiser of I AM Queer Fest at Republic of 94 in Braamfontein, Tshesipo Leeu, put it strongly,
“I Am, on its own is a movement that challenges the norm, those that don’t think we don’t have a place because we are queer. I Am says accept me as I am because I won’t be changing for you anytime soon.”
She added that naming the fest I Am Queer Fest developed overtime.
“There was a lot of exclusion, a lot didn’t sound fitting and it felt like I was defined by people…then I Am came to mind – I Am who I want to be – I can be anything I want to be, no one can define me. There was so much power in the words ‘I Am’ and they were inclusive of everyone under the queer umbrella, it’s taking ownership of who you are and being unapologetic. Queer being a word previously used to degrade LGBTQI people and those of misunderstood identities and later claimed to be powerful become fitting, then we had I Am Queer Fest.”
Many from the queer community filled up the venue to show off their pride, love and diversity as they listen to the likes of Second Quosins, rocking the decks with a blend of house and pop. With a sea of colours, the LGBTIQ flag proudly displayed, it was clear that Leeu’s idea was what the queer community has been wanting for a long time. She said the queer community needed the right representation.
“I Am Queer Fest came after thinking long and hard about an event that will rep Society and culture is slowly changing its perceptions and views to the queer community, we see that helped by mainstream media with more representation in series, movie leads and transgender characters played by transgender men and women.
“In my own opinion I see a lot of people are informed and willing to learn and accept those, the media has helped, more and more LGBTQI stories are being told and more queer people are telling our stories.”
With that, Leeu said it was important that the fest created an environment of inclusion.
“An atmosphere to firstly feel safe – feel safe to just be who you are as a queer person… Once you could be who you are, the rest would fall into place.”
It was easy to see, as many people simply danced the night away.
