Politically charged Durban Pride returns after three years (Photos)
mambaonline.comThe recent 10th Durban Pride was smaller than in previous years but no less passionate about demanding LGBTIQ+ equality and safety from hate crimes. Thanks to Covid-19 and associated lockdown and restrictions, the last Durban Pride was held back in June 2019.
The pandemic saw the Durban Lesbian and Gay Community and Health Centre, which organises the event, faced with limited funds, which meant that the usual post-March festivities did not take place this year. “It’s tough, and there’s no way to sugar coat the lean times we’re experiencing here,” Jason Fiddler, Durban Pride organiser and chief safety official, tells MambaOnline. “So when we looked at this year, [fellow organiser] Nonhlanhla Mkhize, and I agreed we had to cut our cloth accordingly and focus on what mattered most: taking to the streets in protest for the egregious attacks on and murders of LGBTIQ+ people in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal.” He adds that “where the lockdowns forced people to live with intolerant family or abusive partners, the damage done has been unbelievable.” Despite the challenges encountered by the organisers, on Saturday 25 June around 300 people gathered at the City Hall in central Durban to march to Gugu Dlamini Park for a vibrant Pride protest. “With a few hundred people taking to the streets, we made up for our size this year with colour, passion and determination.
It was absolutely awesome to watch, and walk among such beautiful people,” says Fidler. A candle-lighting vigil was also held to honour those who’ve lost their lives to hate crimes and gender-based violence in KwaZulu-Natal.
Two suspected hate crime murders and one violent attack against LGBTIQ+ people have been reported in the province this year.
