‘When young people see themselves reflected in their communities, it changes everything.’ That’s how one rainbow flag can make a difference.
Durban, South Africa (28 November 2025) – For the past two months, Durban has been home again for Aubrey.
He’s the founder of the West London Queer Project (WLQP), an organisation known in the UK for building joyful, inclusive community spaces for LGBTQ+ people through events, support networks, and visibility-driven initiatives.
Coming back to SA has been nostalgic for him in all the good ways. But it has also brought back the painful truth about growing up here.
“I can’t ignore how much of my teenage years were overshadowed by being gay. There was a constant fear of being outed, bullied, or even beaten up. Thankfully, none of that ever happened to me, but the fear was real and it shaped so much of how I moved through the world until the day I finally came out and found support all around me. It’s only now, with distance and perspective, that I can truly see how heavy that fear was.” shares Aubrey on Facebook.
Much of the work Aubrey does today through the WLQP aims to create safe spaces that embrace LGBTQ+ people. The London-based NPO runs sports and book clubs, workout sessions, masterclasses and socials where the queer community feels unafraid, seen, and accepted.
And now, standing in the place where it began, he’s thinking about what could have eased the burden on his younger self, and for the many LGBTQ+ teens still moving through the world with fear.
And that’s visibility.
“When young people see themselves reflected in their communities, it changes everything. Today, some (not all) LGBTQ+ youth are able to come out earlier and live more freely, and that’s thanks in part to the visibility so many fought for.”
The symbol of that visibility is the Pride flag.
“It’s heartbreaking that so many people react negatively to it, instantly associating it with sex rather than what it actually represents: safety, visibility, belonging, love. For someone who has felt unseen or afraid, the sight of a Pride flag can be a lifeline. Flags with messages like ‘You are loved’ or ‘You are seen’ can mean the world.”
Aubrey has watched how Pride flags have become a powerful gesture of solidarity in the UK, especially at sports stadiums where supporters have fully embraced it. Change starts in these public spaces where thousands of people from every race, gender, age and religion gather in good energy and team spirit.
“These flags send a clear message that everyone is welcome, everyone belongs, and everyone deserves to feel safe in these spaces. Seeing them displayed so openly and confidently has made a real difference to LGBTQ+ fans who, for the first time, feel acknowledged by the teams and institutions they love.”
And he wants to bring that same acceptance home to South Africa.
During the visit back home, Aubrey noticed that LGBTQ+ visibility in SA doesn’t reflect the progressive rights we are often celebrated for. While our constitution is one of the most inclusive in the world, many queer people still feel invisible, unsafe, or pressured into silence.
Here’s the good thing.
Aubrey wants to be a part of the change. He’s written to Kings Park Rugby Stadium offering to donate a Pride flag on behalf of the West London Queer Project.
“Donating a flag is a tiny gesture, but visibility has to start somewhere. I truly hope it’s something that can grow and spread across South Africa.”
At the time of writing, he hasn’t heard back from the stadium yet, and he’s hoping someone in Durban might be able to help connect the dots.
One flag could turn into many across the country. And that would mean more to SA’s queer community than most people even realise.
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