The only Pride organisations being included appear to be Pretoria Pride and Durban Pride. There is nothing wrong with including organisations from outside Cape Town — this is WorldPride, after all — but where are the local Cape Town organisations, particularly those working in our townships and Black communities?

We are already doing important work on the ground. We create spaces that bring people together, challenge stereotypes and educate communities where LGBTQ+ people still face serious discrimination. Yet we are not being included, consulted or given an opportunity to contribute.

I am worried that WorldPride is becoming the same old story we have seen from Cape Town Pride for years: a small group controlling everything, deciding who is included and who is kept outside. Once again, local organisations — especially Black-led and township-based organisations — are being left out, while Cape Town Pride chooses who gets a seat at the table.

WorldPride Cape Town should not become another event controlled by the same white people and the same organisations. It should represent the many different organisations, communities and voices that make up Cape Town and South Africa.

At the moment, that representation is missing. Where are the Black-led organisations? Where are the township organisations? Where are the people already doing the work in communities that need visibility, support and inclusion the most?

WorldPride is supposed to be about unity. But unity cannot exist when local organisations are left outside the room.