PRIDE ROCKS JOBURG
While there were fears that Pride would not take place this year, the 17th annual Joburg Pride parade – the largest lesbigay event in Africa – took to the streets of Rosebank this weekend with few hitches.
Approximately 2 000 to 3 000 people walked the six kilometer circular route from Zoo Lake, starting at around 11.30 on Saturday morning. Although there appeared to be less than the usual floats this year, and despite a particularly warm spring day, the vibrant crowd was in fine form. This year saw no change in the increasingly diminishing annual participation in the event; the parade has in the past attracted up to 20 000 people.
While the parade’s theme was centered on raising HIV and AIDS awareness there was little to reflect this during the event. Instead, from gay parents and determined activists to outrageous drag queens there seemed to be two key issues on the minds of the participants: the community’s opposition to the Civil Union Bill and anger toward Jacob Zuma’s recent homophobic comments.
After the parade, participants settled in at Zoo Lake for drinks, food and entertainment into the late afternoon. However, Mambaonline received numerous complaints about the R30 cover charge as well as disappointment at the lack of diversity and “big names” in the entertainment line-up.
Various clubs held after-parties around the city – at venues such as Ramp Divas and Citrus Lounge – into the early hours of the morning. The most anticipated and publicised, the QC Mega Pride party, was relatively well attended – although not to capacity – but the promised live performances by Jaqc and Danny K were cancelled due to lack of interest among patrons who seemed more intrigued by the promise of the dancefloor.
Organised by the controversial Gary Bath – who still owes monies to suppliers of previous Pride events – some expected that this year’s Pride parade would not take place due to a perceived lack of financial and community support.
A new non-profit company has been set up to organise Pride from next year.
Mega Rip Off. R150 for just another normal QC party! What a rip off! I paid good money to see those singers perform and wat did I get? Screwed. That’s what!!!!
mega p*d off. QC certainly lead us on big time…. only time i saw pam & jacq was when they quickly emerged (with guards) from the vip room for a trip to the toilets. not sure that was worth any money. R150 for nothing much more than the monthly party is a cheek. if QC sees pride as just an opportunity to rip off the community….
P*d off. Well, QC can go to hell. I will never, ever set foot at taboo due to the simple fact that they tried to hijack pride.
To all the co conspirators and the sellouts of the gay community: Have a good look a yourself, and decide whether you want to fight for what you beleive in. If you dont, rather get back in the closet because you are no good to anyone in anycase!
P..Off. Again a total ripp of at taboo and elsewhere – no shows , rip off VIP area and the worst so called music – have they heard of dance music – shocking toilet facilities, prices and a sad reflection of Gay JHB….
Dissapointing. Must say Pride 2006 was very dissapointing. The March was okay but the decrease in numbers participating was evident. The function at Zoo Lake was the worst ever organised. Not many toilets to accommodate the crowd. Entertainment was done by some krap drag group and other artists that are not known to the gay community. This event did not represent anything that the community stands for! (e-mail mmackinnon@ccn.co.za)
Crap Drag group. Thank you for your comment – hope you can do better sweetie!!!
Crap Drag group. Your welcome. Sorry but I know what my talents are and making a fool out of myself is not one of them. There are many talented drag artists out there that would have done far better.
Crap Drag group. Your welcome. Sorry but I know what my talents are and making a fool out of myself is not one of them. There are many talented drag artists out there that would have done far better.
Comments on Pride. Allthough Mike here thinks that we r crap drag cabaret group I might just mention that we r the best on the East Rand so sweetie – if you dont know where we r or what we r all about – contact me sluticia@webmail.co.za and this was one of our biggest set goals to perform at Pride 2006 – we expected more from the gay community but i have to admit – with the response set out this weekend in Pride 2006 – IT IS SHOCKING – no wonder we fight a loosing battle for equal rights and to be seen in the community – because we cant stand together as a gay community. The day the South African Gay Community can stand together and stop bitching about senseless matters and rather take on the matters of the day then we will be able to fight for equality till then – it will be a sad loosing battle! Anyone wanna know more about the Fascinating Divas and Club Gemini in Boksburg please feel free to contact Lady Shardone at sluticia@webmail.co.za Thanks darlings
Pride. I don’t think it is a matter that the community can’t stand together. Every single pride event seems to distance people even further. The attendance this year was shocking!
I don’t blame people as in future I will also not attend. Has the pride organisers paid off there outstanding accounts and have they given the R10000.00 to Nkosi’s Haven as promised publically two years ago?
Pride. I don’t think it is a matter that the community can’t stand together. Every single pride event seems to distance people even further. The attendance this year was shocking!
I don’t blame people as in future I will also not attend. Has the pride organisers paid off there outstanding accounts and have they given the R10000.00 to Nkosi’s Haven as promised publically two years ago?
Best drag group. Sluticia…you claim that your group is the best on the East Rand? I know of far better groups on the East Rand so I am sure if this is just your perception as it certainly ain’t fact!
Pride. Why do you guys/girls waste your time going to Pride? I think it’s only a bad excuse for getting drunk and getting laid.
Regarding the crap drag group – well, we lack talent.
A TOTAL WAIST OF TIME. I think we as the gay people think we are made in this country wake up people ……we look bad. We should start looking why we have pride yes a paarty but we have a few pionts to make and sorry we do not get the pionts across because we do not believe in it anymore SAD SAD SAD SAD DAY!!!!
Entertainment well the bad drag’s made there piont that we need to get real people that ARE creative enough to start something worth while for us ……..sadly we can stop this pride because if this pride and proud sory guys and girls we have lost everything.
Watching drag queenswalking around Miss Drag SA with broken shoes, glitter Sister that look like ugly straight drunk men in ………….sorry sister you all need to look in a mirror guys since your first Loerie I must say you all look terrible I will atmit that there was Drag queens like miss Soweto go girl that look like real woman Miss B hang up you of all people should know behave like a WOMAN not a man in a dress
The committee sorry my first but my last no f*ck clean tiolets, no good entertainment, no real mission, what are we standing for come on wake up. As a first timer to hearnumber has decrease so much the has started ring a year ago get your act together otherwise number will decrease even more.
I now it is may be difficult to arrange there are a lots of qualified people in this world do the right thing and the gay people will follow do it like this and you have nobody that will follow and we can give it up.
My own view sorry guy and girls and I now there are a lot of you that will say bitch bitch bitch but we need to stand together and out of my view piont we losing it all, and that is sad.
To the drag queens you that look like woman and behave like woman to you I put my hands together and say well well well done.
PRIDE IN JOBURG A WEIRD FIASKO. PRIDE is turning into a embarresment. I will not support these events any longer. It is now absolutely clear that PRIDE lacks able minds and people with vision. Over the past years, it rather looks like a backyard part.
Bye bye “Pride”
PS: Pride belongs to all of us. It does not belong to Bath idiot or any “board”.
Pride and snobbish queens.. Well, now here is a delightful tidbit. So QC was not up to scratch? Darlings, I am thrilled at that. They got their just desserts.
I was appaled at how some of the big names on the SA gay scene jumped on the QC bandwagon, and didnt support pride. Where was Exit? Where was Gay Pages? And for that bloody matter, where was MAMBAONLINE.
Do not pass judgement so easily. Gary bath had to organise an event without ANY real support from the community, and I feel that he did a brilliant job. I was one of the exhibitors at the event at Zoo lake, and I must say that it was a fabulous day, and I made lots of new friends and business contact.
Where does all this back stabbing come from? What the hell is the matter with the gay community? We should be unioted at pride, celebrating our diversity and fighting for injustice to be abolished. It is also a time to remember and honour those that have gone before us. From stonewall till today many have lost their lives in senseless killings, for standing up for what they beleive in.
So for next year. Lets get all the big players involved. Lets get the GAY COMMUNITY involved. Lets take ownership of pride as a community, and make it something to be proud of (it is called PRIDE) after all.
So, if you want to bitch and moan about this years pride, first ask yourself: What did I do for pride? If you come up with the answer “nothing” Rather shut up honey, because you have no right to complain then!
Slutisha – shut up. People did their part for pride by attending (paying to see you on stage- which will never happen again) and enduring your bad performances. Nothing against Gary Bath as he certainly makes the best effort. All this is about is letting him know that he should scrap your contact details so that entertainment can be done the right way for Pride 2007
Another Year, Another F*ck Up. Not surprising there was such little support, as the same guy organised the event as last year.
Herewith A Breakdown:
Publicity – Practcally non-existent. No radio, no billboard, no pamphlet, little website. I suppose no publisher wanted to take a Bath-ride down the river of unfulfilled promises.
Clubbing: Regardless of the lack of entertainment, QC remained the best place to go. I don’t care that Danny or what’s his name didn’t perform. Once again, the clubs didn’t want to really listen to a Bath full of s*it.
The Walk: A more realistic figure this year. About 3000, the same as last year. Not the 10 000 previously reported by Bath-torian publicists.
HERE’S AN IDEA:
– Let a SA comittee bring in the NY, Sydney or London organisers to event next year?
bollocks. Darling, you are a SHINING example of why pride didn’t succeed. It is not Gary Bath that didn’t try. God knows, he did try his level best to, with the resources available to him, create a day that we could all enjoy. In my oppinion it was QC that also chucked a spanner in the works. People started to think that QC was the “new Pride”
Infighting, that is another problem, and it is fueled by defeatist queens sitting on their backside complaining, instead of getting actively involved. I am sure Gary Bath would have loved some extra support.
Why did the gay media not bring their part. Exit and a few other big players rathr slammed pride instead of supporting it. I am sure it is because of personal vendettas, which is a crying shame. It is an event for the gay community, and pride should bring people together, not divide them (I did, however, see a pride guide the cover of the new gay newspaper Glamorous Life, that is basically where I found out about the where and when’s, as well as an ad with the organisers’ contact details and they were also the only part of the gay media that even bothered with a stand at the mardi gras)
Get off your asses, and get involved next year. We do not need any outside help, we just need the community to stand together!
Think clearly . The reason Gary Bath was not supported by organisations was because he was irresponsible to take on this year’s event: he admits that he owes previous suppliers money (including Nkosi’s Haven). He has a dubious financial background and has probably simply racked up more debt this year – regardless if the event otherwise went well. We have to think clearly about the long term future of Pride. We need a clean slate.
outside help. Why run off to Sydney or London for help when an excellent example in how to run Pride exists in our own country? Cape Town, a smaller and poorer city than metropolitan Jo’burg, has a fabulous Pride Festival which is being expanded to 11 days this coming February.
By the way, QC at Taboo was a rip off but everybody there seemed to be having a good time. And some of the Divas at Zoo Lake were fab, especially the Five Diamonds. If any future events are to be held at Zoo Lake, perhaps the area should be condensed so that everybody is closer together.
Take it for what it is. If one takes in consideration that only Mr Bath took up the initiative to organise everything on very short notice and that no organisations wanted to support him – the result was better than what was expected and the job was well done. Hopefully next year will be fully organised and a big improvement from the past, because the past years wasn’t worth going.
Think clearly. The reason Gary Bath was not supported by organisations was because he was irresponsible to take on this year’s event: he admits that he owes previous suppliers money (including Nkosi’s Haven). He has a dubious financial background and has probably simply racked up more debt this year – regardless if the event otherwise went well. We have to think clearly about the long term future of Pride. We need a clean slate.
Taboo FU. Once again a total ripp of at Taboo – a classic example of exploitation of the community and from those who could afford it – and who chose the DJ’s – worst music ever – a schocking embarrasment – let alone the classic no shows and rip offs – neva again!
Pride or Proud. It seems to me that Pride has become too negative with so many issues, it would be really great to have a day where we can all just get together, and have fun, let our hair down a little and take things for what they are. I personally don’t see the need to be over the top but hey, each to their own. I for one would love to see this get better and better and use it as an opportunity to enjoy the community, meet new people etc.
GET A GRIP!!. This is the first time I have attended “PRIDE” in six years and like most of you was somewhat dissapointed. The route was great, parking great, entrance cheap. I believe you get what you pay for. “Marching” in the MIDDAY SUN is ridiculous. If you want to cust costs, scrap the so called “ENTERTAINMONT” and put on an ABBA CD, that’s all the Queens want. Music we can relate to. You would have done better to pay a Ramps DJ for the afternoon.
NEW IDEA (or maybe not) Open the gates to PRIDE at say 15H00, “March” at 16H00 (cooler) then it’s early evening and you can go straight to an after party. Cut out the CRAP RAP in between the march and the after party. To keep your energy levels going from 9 in the morning is too much for most Queens over 25.
Get an EVENT COMPANY to put the after party together, that’s what event companies do for a living and then up the price, but get what you pay for.
JUST A THOUGHT!!!
sad. The in-fighting, even on these forums alone, is scary. I think there is a problem with personal ego’s getting in the way.
Gay people love to look down on others.
Anyway it is very sad about how those who paid to get into Taboo were ripped off, clearly a disappointment. I got to say I went to Ramps and had a fantastic time, they did an awesome job in all respects!
Finally, to ‘Mike’ – you should read the articles about the money being owed, as well as the earlier comments on this forum before you go on about not attending pride in future because money is owed – because there’s more to it.
Anyway, that’s my 2cents. C ya
divas rock. bad i think any man that puts on a dress takes a lot of courage so stop bitching and stand up for oneanother if they are bad give them room to improve never judge people or let gay brother and sisters down i think that the drag group was not bad at all , did you not hear the people cheering mike query i am too mush of a lady to bitch so i won’t all that i can say is what goes a round comes a round pride rock’s mamba rocks ramp divas rock’s fascinating divas and geminene all thats gay rocks and yes even mike rocks thanks love always shenaaze lady a pride 2006
Sisters and Brothers lets love each other. Miss Simply Blue/D’vine Fabulous
I truly don’t understand why lesbigay like to look down to each other and always having bad comments. The gay pride is about having fun and not forgetting the falling heroines and heroes. The reason why the Simon Nkuna’s come up with the street match was for heterosexuals to acknowledge the fact that we us moffies/homo-family are here! Because it was seen as a white or coloured disease and doesn’t exist in the black culture….and that’s the reason Jacob Zuma came up with a homophobic statement, because he realized that we don’t appreciate each other, we hate drag queens/artist, we always have bad comments about transvestites or even the bi-sexualises and perhaps could be the reason why most of us cant come out of the closet after years of democracy, some still fares discrimination among colleagues because we hate each other! Once you see someone dressed as a woman, you pin-port the wrongs in her! Why do we hate each other, why can’t you approach the person and assist him/her since you are an expect!
Sisters and brother lets stop disliking each other…
pride. can we not act as normal humans.
no wonder we get looked down .
bath must go he is an embarasment
PLUR. As usual, there has to be a scapegoat, and I suppose Gary Bath is an easy target, but look within yourself. Along with pride there should always be a little thing called dignity. I saw many people having a fabulous time at pride on Saturday.
Sure, things were not ideal, but darlings, I am PROUD to be gay, and I conduct myself with an air of dignity. I looked at what pride had to offer, and I made the best of te day. I made very valuable business contacts, I made friends. I had a blast.
Stop placing the blame on everybody else. The amenities WERE provided (even though the entertainment might not have been everybody’s taste.) The onus was on you, you fabulously queer individuals, to have a good time. This is rather hard while you are bitching, blaming and moaning. It is even harder if you didn’t even pitch. For the most part it was a very sucessful pride.
But be it as it may. I respect people’s viewpoints. So, let us bury this whole fiasco as some see it, shall we. Lets see if more of us cannot get involved in the planning of next years pride. Lets learn from this, and bring back being PROUD to PRIDE. As a group that is still very much marginalised, we should stand together, not rip each other apart.
Peace, Love, Unity, Respect… Maybe we should make this the theme for next year, and live up to it? Not a bad idea, is it.
it is a useless undertaking . The “gay pride” march is a has-been in high heels tottering off course, in flamboyant garments, thick melting makeup, over pumped silicone tits and a sad fast fading toothy smile to the barrage of heterosexual cameras.
This is how we gay South Africans are being portrayed and seen. There is a time and place for each of us with our myriad fantasies and idiosyncrasies…. thank GOD for choices.
HOWEVER THE GAY PRIDE – IS THE DYING SWAN OF EVENTS ON THE GAY CALENDAR.
It is always easy for one to compare the vibe, the bonding, camaraderie and the big brand names that come to the party once you have been exposed to pride marches beyond our front doors. BECOS WE ARE A DECERNING GROUP OF PEOPLE WITH TASTE FOR THE FINER THINGS IN LIFE.
Where is the festive spirits?, why are families not included straight, bent, faggots, whatever our colour or orientation.
Why is a Mardi Gras or carnival atmosphere not created? It should be all-inclusive to encourage tolerance, acceptance etc. How does one propose to embrace our differences and celebrate our similarities when the planning management etal is a one-band show?
Where are the corporate partners? Is there not a possibility of having events staged throughout the country in tandem with the gay pride in Jozi. Have satellite events in Durban, Cape Town, East London or wherever to create that impact and make a meaningful contribution instead of the deafening silence the pride is synonymous with.
It would appear that very little thought or project management has gone into the planning and execution of an event of this scale.
Gay pride is not just there for us to don our finery and parade bare arsed, it is there to highlight our successes, recognise of failings and make good on promises of the year gone by.
Why is there no market research or survey to find out what people want, not all of us would like to fall apart with a few floozies and a few rounds of cheap booze.
WE THE GAY PUBLIC ARE THE CUSTODIANS OF THE GAY PRIDE ? CONSULT US AND GIVE US FEEDBACK.
MAYBE THE ORGANISERS SHOULD TRY GIVING SOMEONE A BLOW JOB TO SHOT SOME COMMON SENSE INTO THEIR HEADS.
roger
WHAT A SAD DAY!. What a sad day it was when I decided to take my lover actually said we willgo to the pride never in my life have I been so sad. Sorry to say it like this but the only one that can help us is the Lord.
I have never understand why it is so but why do us gay people take our own for a ride aren’t we suppose to support each other. Committee…..Committee what is your problem. Is the to many chiefs andno indians to run the show.
I must say I am thankfull that my lover said no walking because halfway I would have said home and now!!!! You have lost what it means to proud to be gay sorry to those of us that do try but the writing is on the wall we must get act together or just stop this pridde thing we aredoing it for all the wrong reasons and as long as we are doing it so we will get no where
Before I say this drag queen I take my hat off for you girls but remember to be a drag queen means you want to be a woman not a man in a dress. Miss drag SA you of all people should now THAT sorry B you did not make the final you lost it all I now you for year and sorry walking around with broken shoes please take it off we would look much better on your natural feet. The glitter sisteryu all look like straight men gone wrong to a fansy dress get yourself together or or look at pic of your first loerie girls soory you have lost it totally.
I ask please get your act together people we are losing out on a lot we must stand for our rights and fight for it not waist the time of a whole day just for a party what about HIV/AIDS, Marraige or people there so much please wake up or stop
sorry but it was a sad day!!!!
Boo Taboo. As I thought, boys… as I knew, more like it!
And to the upstart who tried to lambaste me & my criticism of the QC Party being a rip-off… I don’t need to say it but I’m gonna: I told you so!
Performers cancelled, so where d’ya think the unspent cash went to?? Some of my friends went ahead of me to the QC Mega [sic] Pride party hosted at Taboo. Later that night when I asked if it was rocking, came the reply: “Don’t rush to get here…” So we didn’t.
PRIDE?. JA-NEE , INDERDAAD ‘N TREURIGE DAG GEWEES , MOES DALK MAAR DIE BEGRAFNIS ROK BY DIE DRYCLEANERS GAAN HAAL HET . SORRY MAAR EK GLO EK EN MY OU KON MEER MET R60.00 GEDOEN HET , AL WAS DIT DAN MAAR FLIEK TOE OF NET UITGERY HET HARTIES TOE ….WAAR WAS DIE GEES VAN ONS EERSTE MARCH , MET KARDOES OOR DIE KOP EN AL , DIT WAS ‘N MARCH . SELA . I REST MY CASE .
INTERESTING!. There is no need to march around, people know that gay people are here to stay.