Hundreds of activists will descend on the streets of Soweto, White City Jabavu on national Heritage Day - 24 September 2011- for the seventh annual Gay and Lesbian Soweto Pride March - a local protest march as organised by Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW). This day provides South Africans with an opportunity to voice their frustrations against homophobia and discrimination experienced by gays and lesbians and other minority groups in South Africa, especially those who live in the townships.

Participants will gather at the corner of Elias Motsoaledi and Mphuthi Streets at 10 am and the march will proceed to Credo Mutwa Cultural Village where a political and cultural programme will be conducted until 6pm.  The theme for this year is: African Pride - queer love is a Human Right.

 “The theme for 2011 was arrived at in the context in which minority groups such as lesbians and gays’ human rights are trodden on in South Africa today.  Women have acquired so many rights legally yet some women can’t walk safely in the streets of their own townships. The struggle is not only to take back the streets, we have to encourage out mothers, fathers, sisters, neighbours and cousins to join us in this struggle as it womens’ rights are human rights and lesbian’s rights are women’s rights.” said Sedica Davids, interim direct at FEW.

“Soweto Pride is also attempting to address the problem of what is termed “corrective rape”, where barbarous methods are used by males to address their own inadequacy and lack of agency. We say that we want this form of barbarism to be identified and dealt with foremost as violence against women (who identify as lesbian) and call on our communities – our sisters, brothers, families, churches, mosques, trade unions, the police force and clinics to march with us to ensure that queer love is a human right.” continued Davids.

It must be remembered that Africa is for Africans even though being ‘different’ is considered by many to be un-African. This has influenced the senseless intolerance towards minority groups that include gays, intersex persons, transgender persons and lesbians. Members of all represented organizations and individuals who will be present seek to demystify this notion. This harassment only increases our resolve to defend our fundamental constitutional rights and freedoms. 

FEW is pleased and proud to be part of such a broad-based effort on behalf of such a worthy cause, and sees it important to them to be a leader and make a contribution in the community. It also urges the South African government to provide the necessary support for victims of gender based violence.

PLEASE NOTE:

Marshalls will be visible at the corner of Elias Motsoaledi and Mphuthi Street at 8:15 to direct the march.

For more information contact: Phindi Malaza on 011 333 0345/0458 and or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it