(South Africa) - An estimated five thousand Gays and Lesbians turned out for the 18th annual Joburg Pride Parade in Rosebank, Johannesburg, despite the inclement weather. While the overall mood of the event was celebratory, the reality that many Gays and Lesbians are not safe in their communities was also highlighted by the organisers. A minute’s silence was held to mark the brutal murders of two Lesbian women, Sizakele Sigasa and Salome Masooa, in Soweto in July, as well as all LGBT victims of hate crime. Speaking on the main stage, Sandilands made an impassioned demand for tolerance: “Here today, in the midst of the partying and fun, we remember Sizakele and Salome and together we say ‘Enough’. No longer will we tolerate double standards and discrimination against our community, and we challenge everyone here to speak out against prejudice wherever they find it.”
