Creating Africa Pride in the Face of Homophobia and Radical Anti-LGBTQIA+ Laws & Bills
As decades of religious extremism, ignited and spread by mostly evangelical Americans in the name of Christianity, leads to rising homophobia and catastrophic consequences for the lives of LGBTQIA+ people across the vast African continent, AFRICA PRIDE 2024 http://africapride.org is creating a global collective experience that brings together the LGBTQIA+ community, allies, and supporters, celebrating love, acceptance, and equality.
AFRICA PRIDE will be a year-round program of African LGBTQIA+ unity co-produced by InterPride members Rainbow Adovocacy, Equal Namibia, Coloured Voices Uganda, East Africa Visual Artists, African Queer Youth Initiative, and LGBT Voice Tanzania, along with other nonprofit organizations and individuals in Africa and around the world.
AFRICA PRIDE 2024 is an Africa-wide Pride event with hybrid online programs and local gatherings, both private and public, depending on local conditions, safety and security. Taking the lead on the continent will be the Dar es Salaam Tanzania Pride March.
Pride Solidarity Marches and musical performances will become a virtual experience interfaced with local participation in 22+ African countries, along with others around the world.
AFRICA PRIDE features Solidarity Marches with community groups and individuals marching in solidarity in 12 countries outside of Africa, including EuroPride in Greece, London Pride, Paris Pride, Oslo Pride, Dublin Pride, Mexico City Pride, Bogota Pride, Berlin Pride, San Francisco Pride, San Antonio Pride, Lexington Pride, and Twin Cities Pride in Minneapolis, with engaging displays of unity representing various LGBTQIA+ identities, history, and achievements.
Musicians & Artivists: A dynamic virtual online stage sponsored by the virtual festival company FILMOCRACY will host music, artivists and inspiring speeches, along with headlining artists from the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. A talent showcase features emerging artists and performers.
Community Engagement: A virtual Exhibition Hall with online booths offers resources, information and support, including mental health resources, HIV testing information, legal advice, and safe spaces, along with faith-based outreach with spiritual groups.
Story sharing platforms provide exhibitions of poetry, video and music, along with virtual art galleries, short films and videos highlighting African LGBTQIA+ history, culture and current issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community.
As a program spearheaded by Los Angeles-based nonprofit Rainbow Advocacy’s OUR PRIDE Arts & Advocacy Network, AFRICA PRIDE 2024 events will be focused on Stonewall Weekend, beginning on Friday, June 30, Stonewall Day, and concluding on Sunday, June 30, the final day of Pride Month 2024, along with a special Berlin Pride march on July 27, with a focus on support for Namibia Pride and the LGBTQIA+ community in Namibia, a former colony of Germany.
Details at OUR PRIDE (http://ourpride.org) and info@ourpride.org
