Hundreds celebrate rainy Mamelodi Pride

Bad weather failed to dampen the mood of participants in the first-ever LGBTI Mamelodi Pride this past weekend.

Due to the rain, organisers of the Tshwane township event, dubbed MamsPr!de, were forced to change venue; from Moretele Park to Thibo Café, a popular haunt for the LGBTI community in Mamelodi.

Although the venue was already rented out for another event, the owner cancelled the booking to give MamsPr!de a last-minute home for the day.

It all started at 13:00 and went on until the early hours of the morning, with more than 300 people ultimately taking part in the celebration.

The event aimed to create a safe social space for LGBTI people and their supporters, build awareness around hate crimes and mobilise LGBTI people to access HIV testing services.

Pamphlets on HIV and safer sex as well as condoms and lube were handed out to the revellers. Media, including the SABC, Mamelodi FM and the local newspaper, conducted interviews with participants

Organiser Jay Matlou told Mambaonline that he was extremely happy with the outcome of the township’s inaugural Pride event.

“We had a great turnout, especially considering the change of venue and the weather. It was a very nice mix of people, including a lot of allies in the form of non LGBTI people who attended to support their LGBTI friends and family,” he said.

Matlou and fellow organiser Martina Molebale plan to hold the event again next year. ‘We’ve thought that we want to do an indoor one in winter and an outdoor in November. Next year we also hope to have a march,” he added.

Below are some more images from the first MamsPr!de.