The annual Parade and Mardi Gras will see the curtain fall on the 2020 edition of Cape Town Pride this Saturday, 29 February 2020.
Cape Town, South Africa (27 February 2020) – The Cape Town Pride Parade will hit the streets of Green Point this coming weekend in celebration of the LGBT+ community, and to highlight the struggles and challenges they continue to face.
The event is the culmination of the week-long Cape Town Pride Festival.
This year marks 23 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in South Africa, and 11 years since South Africa voted to legalise same-sex marriage, giving same-sex couples the same legal rights as straight ones.
“We have come a long way in those 23 years, yet we face daily reminders that the global battle for true equality is far from over, and rights hard-won can be threatened, attacked and taken away. It has taken our community many years to secure legal equality for the whole community, and there is still work to do. We exist to continue to fight for true equality and challenge prejudices that the LGBT+ community still sadly face on a daily basis.” – Cape Town Pride
The City of Cape Town has been a proud supporter of Pride for many years and 2020 is no different, with event support to the value of up to R350 000.
“We are grateful to events such as Cape Town Pride for providing a space for individuals to express themselves, raise awareness and celebrate who they are. As an inclusive City, we want to reaffirm our support for the LGBT+ community through partnering with organisations such as Cape Town Pride who have committed themselves to doing good in our society and continuing the fight for equality.
The event also provides a tourism boost to the local economy, through the approximately 6000 people attending the Pride Week Festival from outside the city. This helps our efforts to create jobs and for that, the City is extremely grateful,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Apart from the festivities, the Cape Town Pride organisers also conduct education programmes around HIV/Aids, transgender awareness and the event management mentorship programme.
Saturday’s parade will start at midday in Chiappinni Street in De Waterkant and move towards Reddam Field at the Green Point Urban Park.
A moment of silence will also be observed to honour fallen members of the LGBT+ community.
At the Urban Park, the crowd will be entertained by some top local and international artists and bands.
Motorists are advised of rolling road closures along Somerset Road and Green Point Main Road from 11:00 to 13:00.
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