Durban’s LGBTI community to march for “common ground”

This Saturday’s Durban Pride march will see the city’s LGBTI community flying the gay flag to commemorate lives lost and to celebrate sexual and gender diversity.

The theme for Durban Pride 2015 is “On Common Ground.” Organisers said the theme aims to “encourage people to imagine a world where we are all equal and free in our everyday experience… irrespective of race, ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, sexual identity, gender identity, sexual orientation and gender expression.”

Organised by the LGBTI Community and Health Centre and the Pride Advisory Committee, Durban Pride is a week-long event that culminates in the annual Liberation March and Festival on Saturday 27 June.

It takes place at The Amphitheatre (North Beach, opposite Elangeni Hotel), from 12pm till 10pm. Gates open at 10am, kicking off with a rainbow flag raising ceremony, followed by the parade.

There will community and food stalls, a bar and entertainment including bands, DJs and drag artists. It all climaxes with after-parties from 10pm at The Lounge (226 Mathew Meyiwa Rd, Stamfordhill) and Club Altitude (25 Silver Avenue, Stamfordhill).

The Pride Week programme includes an array of films and workshops at the Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, running until 26 June at the KZNSA Art Gallery in Glenwood. There are also daily poetry, live music and karaoke evenings hosted at The Lounge and Club Altitude

The weekend programme features the Mr and Miss Durban Pride Pageant and Pre-Pride Party on Friday at The Lounge, from 10pm (doors open at 8pm) and a Pink ShisaNyama on Sunday from 12pm at KwaMax (Umlazi).

Shosholoza Meyl has organised a Durban Pride Train, which departs on 26 June from Joburg and returns on 28 June. The R1,950 per person package includes train tickets and accommodation, breakfast and a dance coach. Contact Lesiba Mpho Dikgale on 012 315 2090 / 079 459 4565 for details.

Visit the Durban Pride Facebook page for more information on the festival and events.