The South African flag is very colourful - almost like the Rainbow Flag. The large flag above was flying over a bar on Somerset Rd in the heart of Cape Town's "Pink Village" and marked action central for CT Pride Day activities.
I was not sure what to expect on Pride Day, but I was happy to haven been there for it. The parade was scheduled to start at noon, and at noon it started. I followed the tail end of it for a few blocks, then noticed it coming back down the street. So, I crossed the street for a better view.
The parade had everything you might expect from what was clearly a new-ish event: some floats from local businesses and community-based organizations; lots of ordinary people marching along; an interesting float from an Islamic group (below - the text reads: "Certified Halaal" with two Islamic men holding hands), and of course, a bevy of cute 20 something boys. And it took all of 15 minutes for the whole parade to pass by!
The rest of that warm sunny Saturday afternoon was spent behind a fenced-off area that was a 2-block long beer garden. It never got really full of people, so it was pleasant enough, but became a bit boring after 2 beers and several strolls through the crowd. So I left when I had had enough, happy to have experienced it.
Of course, the political / human rights backdrop of being gay and lesbian (they use: LGBTI) in Africa is not a happy one. There are at least 30+ countries in Africa where homosexuality is completely illegal, and 4 where the death penalty exists for LGBTI people. South Africa's constitution bans LGBTI discrimination and, like Canada, recognizes same-sex marriage. I was keenly aware that this Pride Day in this City in this Country was very much a priviledged "pink" event on an otherwise not very accepting continent.
