By Gomolemo Mothomogolo
LGBTQI+ community braved the streets of Sandton and raised their voices against homophobia and hate crimes despite threats of a terrorist attack reported by the United States Embassy in South Africa. Hundreds of members of the queer community were dressed in rainbow colored attires when they took to the streets for the 33rd Johannesburg Pride march on Saturday in Sandton. A Zambian refugee and queer activist, Anold Mulaisho complained about the asylum application process in South Africa. “When it comes to us queer refugees and migrants we feel as if we are living in an open prison. So it is important to show visibility to say to society we do exist. We hope that the South African government could do something to recognise us because as well known as I am, the government still tells me I am not gay enough because I don’t look like Somizi Mhlongo. “I am saying we all don’t look the same. We are different in our own ways and they must accept us for who we are,” said Mulaisho. He said he fled Zambia in 2018 seeking protection, escape prosecution and homophobia in his home country. While the South Africa’s Constitution is the first in the world to prohibit unfair discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, the queer community believes more still needs to be done. A woman who only identified herself as Vee from Soweto raised safety concerns for LGBTQI+ community saying “hate crime remains a big problem especially in the townships”.
Vee said she hoped the march will be part of initiatives to tackle challenges in queer community. “This is my first time here and I want to see what we are all about and as a community. What we bring to the table in terms of issues such as homophobia. Is there something else we can fight for as the LGBTQI+ community,” she said. Earlier this week, the US embassy warned its residents of a possible terrorist attack in the Sandton area over the weekend. The South African government slammed the US government for causing “unnecessary anxiety and panic” in the country and it assured South Africans that law enforcement authorities are monitoring the situation.
