Joburg Gay Pride

Gay Liberation Ahoooy!

Earlier this week the theme for the 22nd Annual Joburg Gay Pride was announced and as per usual, it's set to be a scorcher! Have the date reserved: 1st October!
If you've ever been to Joburg  Gay Pride, you know its going to be bananas!!! And this year we are partying for a purpose. Below is the release…

"It’s not an easy life being gay. Growing up you get laughed at, bullied, beaten up, called names. You get put into a box, labelled, discriminated against within your family, in the community, in life. Now add rape and even murder to the mix, just for living as you were born to be! Would anyone choose this hardship for themselves?
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have been the victims of abuse, murder, beating and so called “corrective” rape for decades. 17 years on from our first democratic election in 1994, we would have hoped for some change, increased education, protection and justice. Gay people are subjected to underlying discrimination in politics, in the workplace and in society, yet there are no stringent measures to protect their rights. If being in the closet is hard enough – then living a life with issues being swept under the carpet is even worse.
The Bill of Rights in the constitution of the Republic of South Africa section 9 (3) clearly states: “ The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds , including race , gender, sex , pregnancy , marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour , sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.” This clause also applies in the Human Rights Act.
South Africa is the first country in Africa and one of the first in the world to legalise same-sex marriage. Its post-apartheid constitution was the first in the world to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. Internationally, as well as throughout Africa, countries envy South Africa for its democracy; its constitution, economy and successfully hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The country plays a big role in Africa to help to educate other countries. With all the positive aspects of South Africa, its progressive laws and legal system, it still fails to incorporate the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into the community as a whole.
Recently a lesbian activist, Noxolo Nogwaza, was killed and allegedly gang-raped which was reported to be “corrective” rape. Corrective rape is a criminal practice, whereby lesbians are raped by heterosexual men in order to cure the lesbian of being ‘gay’. This crime seems to be more prevalent in black communities. Any abuse – and all rape – is a crime. Terrible things are happening to innocent people but very little is being done to stop this kind of senseless violence.
With this background taken into account, Joburg Pride 2011 is proud to present the theme for this year. The aim to creatively, without fail and without shame, encourage society to speak out and take action against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender hate crime. The entire community needs to consistently drive the message that being gay or lesbian is NOT a fashion statement, a sickness, a crime, a curse or a choice."

Joburg Pride 2011, in celebration of 22 years of existence, will march under the human rights theme of “Born This Gay” on Saturday, 1 October 2011, calling for the protection of all human rights protected in South Africa’s constitution, but especially those of sexual minorities who are victimised on a daily basis.
JOBURG PRIDE 2011 – BORN THIS GAY!

You know I'll be there coz
CrazyBlackVirgin SUPPORTS GAY LIBERATION!