The 2nd United Prides of Africa is happening

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Pride organisations around Africa are set to host the second United Prides of Africa online event on Saturday 26 June.

The organisers said the event is a response to the many Pride celebrations that have been cancelled or postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the human rights abuses across the African continent.

“It is also for those community members on the continent who are unable to celebrate Pride as we do in South Africa, because of anti-LGBTI legislation in place,” said Production Coordinator Matthew Van As.

“People whose sexuality is illegal and where they face discrimination, public humiliation, imprisonment, and in some countries, death – just for being who they are!”

Africa is one of the regions with the highest rate of criminalisation of LGBTIQ+ people, with around 30 countries still outlawing same-sex sexual expression.

According to Van As, the first United Prides of Africa in 2020 received 1.3 million views during its live broadcast from countries all over the globe.

United Prides of Africa will use online platforms to deliver a Pride “in which everyone can participate, wherever they are in Africa and the world.” The event will be live-streamed and people are invited to join in the event from their homes.

United Prides of Africa is happening in conjunction with Prides and Pride organisations from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Egypt, Nigeria, Tunisia and Eswatini – among others – with more organisations set to join.

The online event will be broadcast with the participation of these organisations as well as that of artists, performers, activists and contributors who will lend their voices in support of the unsung and silenced voices across the African continent.

“Our vision is to create a united Pride movement that promotes and respects bodily integrity and equal protection of human rights regardless of culture, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) within Pride and Pride-like movements,” said Van As.

“We stand together to unify and strengthen LGBTIQ+ organisations in Africa through Pride and Pride-like activities in order to challenge the status quo in various African countries where state legislation exists that impedes SOGIESC-related work.”

To stay up to date on United Prides of Africa 2021, follow the event’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages.

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