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Born This Way

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Born This Way Gay Pride March

Gathering under the rallying cry of “Born This Way” the gay and lesbian community of Port Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay and further afield will take part in the Nelson Mandela Bay Pride March on Saturday 24 September.

On Saturday 3 September the Prince and Princesses will be elected from around the Eastern Cape to take part in the King and Queen of Pride contest on 23 September. The Port Elizabeth heats will be held at Day-Zees in Parliament Street starting at 9:00 pm.

The designated Charities for the Pride event are; The House of Resurrection Haven in Salsoneville, The Luleki Sizwe Corrective Rape Project, and ECGLA. Rocco De Villiers will be appearing at the Steytlerville Karoo Theatrical Hotel from 7:30 pm on 23 September and donating his fee to the designated charities. Day-Zees in Parliament Street will be hosting the King and Queen of the Eastern Cape competition from 9pm along with the pre-PRIDE disco.

Nelson Mandela Bay Pride March will start at 1:00 pm from Stanley Street in Richmond Hill and proceed from there across Cape Road, down Robson Street, up Parliament Street to the stage outside Day-Zees church.

Performers confirmed for the afternoon after the march and up until 6:00 pm are; Danielle Pascal, Lola Fine, Sean Achilleos, Three Diva’s Cabaret, Jooma Mize, Terry Tiger Victor, Kevin Ellis, Sam Marais, the New Afroteens and Ebrahim. This will be followed by an after party at Day-Zees in Parliament Street.

A number of stalls will be sited along Parliament Street selling various items including a range of PRIDE memorabilia.

Many local and national businesses have donated prizes for the Prince and Princesses, King and Queen of Pride, best Costume, etc. Local hotels and Bed and Breakfasts are offering discounted rates for the weekend, and some also donating free weekends for Prize winners, these include The Admiral’s Lodge, The Lemon3Lodge, The Steytlerville Karoo theatrical Hotel, and The Hopefield House Hotel.

The theme “Born this Way” was chosen to help spread tolerance, and understanding. Gays have an inherited predisposition for the same sex, but do not have something that is a disease you can catch. We welcome members from across the spectrum of sexual orientation and we have the backing of the Nelson Mandela Tourism Board and a local branch of the ANC.

The march will be led out by riders from the Harley Davidson Book Club who will carry pillion passengers bearing flags borne by representatives of the various organisations taking part in the parade. These participating groups will include, the Eastern Cape Gay and Lesbian Association (ECGLA), PEBears, Masipume, Parents/Families/Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), Without Prejudice (Group representing people against discrimination for any reason (race, sexual orientation, religion)), SA Leathermen (Eastern Cape), Lifeline, Outspoken Radio, EC LGBTI, and many more.

David says; “Come see for yourself, some of us may be a bit more flamboyant than the ‘norm’, but we love to have fun, and the live acts will make this a day to remember.”

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.

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Comments

  1. No-one is born gay. There is no scientific proof of that. This means that homosexuality is an acquired taste, and all that scientists have been able to detect is that SOME people are more susceptable to it than others, which puts homosexuality in the same category as alcoholism, drugs, smoking etc.

    Now, within the confines of their privacy, consenting adults can do what they like. I don’t have the slightest bit of problems with it, but to hang it all out in a “Pride March” is too much for me to stomach.

    Keep it out of the public eye. Sex – of any kind – does NOT belong there.

    • I also meant to say that anyone’s sexual orientation is really none of my business, and frankly: I’m NOT interested.

  2. Gay Pirate Speak – translated in honour of International Pirate Day 19 September 2011:

    Th’ theme “Born this Way” be chosen t’ help spread tolerance, an’
    understand’n. Gays have an inherited predisposition fer th’ same sex,
    but do nay have someth’n that be a disease ye can catch. We welcome
    members from across th’ spectrum o’ sexual orientation an’ we have th’
    back’n o’ th’ Nelson Mandela Tourism Board an’ a local branch o’ th’
    “Blimey That Smells Foul!” ANC.

    Th’ “Batten Down The Hatches!” march will be led out by riders from
    th’ Harley Davidson Book Club who will carry pillion passengers bear’n
    flags borne by representatives o’ th’ various organisations tak’n part
    in th’ parade. These participat’n squadrons will include, th’ Eastern
    Cape Gay an’ Lesbian Association (ECGLA), PEBears, Masipume,
    Parents/Families/Friends o’ Lesbians an’ Gays (PFLAG), Without Prejudice
    (Group represent’n people against discrimination fer any reason (race,
    sexual orientation, religion)), SA Leathermen (Eastern Cape), Lifeline,
    Outspoken Radio, EC LGBTI, an’ many more.

    David “Rum Swigging Skull Bone!” says; “Come see fer yourself, some
    o’ us may be a bit more flamboyant than th’ ‘norm’, but we love t’ have
    fun, an’ th’ live acts will make this a day t’ reakon.”