JOBURG PRIDE 2007: NOT JUST A PARTY

As part of its mission to offer something to all of Joburg’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities, Joburg Pride 2007 will be hosting a programme of community events that will help inform and increase awareness of LGBT issues.

“We are hoping to attract people who have an interest in advocacy and research, as well as those who need information on issues such as hate crimes and sexual health within the gay and lesbian context,” says Tracey Sandilands, Chairperson of Joburg Pride.

“It’s quite imperative that we, as the LGBTI sector, educate not only ourselves but the community at large about who we are – our identity, challenges and celebrations – in order to change negative attitudes,” adds Thuli Madi, who heads up the Community Events and Liaison Portfolio for Joburg Pride.

These events will be held at Braamfontein’s Constitution Hill, which has kindly sponsored the venue, and will include the following:

Monday 1 October: A workshop on sexual and mental health will be presented by Out Wellbeing, and will include information on and testing for STIs (sexually transmitted infections).

On the same day, the Gay and Lesbian Archives (GALA) will host a screening of the documentary film Simon and I and the launch of its book Till the Time of Trial about the late Simon Nkoli. The launch will feature guest speaker Justice Edwin Cameron.

Tuesday 2 October: The Forum for Empowerment of Women (FEW) will conduct an all day mini-conference for LBT Women to discuss lesbian rights, research that has been conducted into lesbian circumstances and behaviour and other issues pertaining to women.

Wednesday 3 October: The Forum for Empowerment of Women (FEW) will host a debate on the theme of: “Pride in a time of Prejudice; No cause for celebration?”

Thursday 4 October: Juan Nel of the Unisa Centre for Applied Psychology (UCAP) will present a workshop on psychotherapy and counseling in South Africa, followed by the findings of research into the experiences of gay men in therapy. After lunch, Out Wellbeing will explore homophobic violence and crime and its impact and responses.

Friday 5 October, Behind The Mask will present a workshop on video advocacy and basic writing and interviewing, aimed at improving the skills of LGBT staff who are involved in media activities.

The week’s activities form part of the overall Pride Festival programme, which kicks off on Thursday 27 September with the fund-raising premiere of Another Gay Movie in Rosebank and culminates in the annual Parade and “Concert in the Park” at Zoo Lake Sports Club on Saturday 6 October from 10am.

Entrance is free for all community events as well as the parade and the concert. To RSVP for the community events, and to view the complete programme, please visit www.joburgpride.org or email info@joburgpride.com.