pictures: Cape Town gay pride website
Once again Cape Town will be celebrating gay pride this
weekend but unlike any other years, some will not take part.
The gay activist and founder of the Free Gender
organisation Funeka Soldaat will not be attending this year’s event.
Soldaat believes that the event doesn’t have a meaning
behind party.
Soldaat says the pride is disappointing, it supposed to
unite cultures, not just few individuals.
“We are suspending our attendance because we’ll be having
a dialogue on the same day concerning the issues in Uganda and seek for
strategies to move forward,” says Soldaat.
She further described the Pride Parade as “disappointing”
and according to her; things must be looked at in a different way.
She say organisers don’t see that things the way were
supposed to be reviewed, “They are not aware there are people who are supposed
to be part of the pride”
She says its supposed to be a massage and a party after
that.
Soldaat says organisers are less interested on real
issues that are happening in South Africa they decided to suspend themselves
this year.
The purpose of the event is to promote diversity and
awareness around the issues facing LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender
and Intersex) communities.
Soldaaat says they are not in the mood for party.
But things are different to this year’s miss Cape Town
pride. He says he is so excited about event.
Manila von Teez admits that it’s not easy preparing for
this kind of event but he is excited for the after party.
Von Teez says for him this event is an opportunity to
show that he is gay and he is not ashamed of whom he is. “the event is to show
that we are united and proud of who we are” says von Teez.
He says it’s been a long journey for him but eventually
it came together and His whole week was intense, he was on radios, doing shows.
He says it is rewarding at the end of the day.
“tonight I’m opening a pageant with performance, and conclude
with my own show later Then after party tomorrow” says von Teez.
