Helgard Marais, Mr. GSA Finalist 2014 - Awesome day at JHB Gay Pride!

 "Johannesburg Pride was hosted as the first domestic event of this nature in response to the rise of democracy, bolstered by the release of former President Nelson Mandela in 1990.  It sought to advocate for inclusive equality, and the recognition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual (aka Polysexual), Transgender, Intersex, Asexual and Agender as well as Queer (LGBTIAQ) rights as inclusive of Human Rights."

"The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, approved by the Constitutional Court on 4 December 1996 underscored universal human rights to all... South Africans prohibiting inter alia discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender - the first of its kind in the world. Despite the legal protection of the LGBTIAQ minorities, social prejudice and stigmatisation remains."

"The ongoing perpetration of violence and intimidation against the LGBTIAQ community raises the need to redress social discrimination. Homophobia, transphobia, “corrective” rape which at time includes murder, and LGBTIAQ hate crimes are just a few of these social challenges that needs to be redressed."

"Thus, Johannesburg Pride seeks to celebrate the legal strides made in South Africa including additional legislation such as marriage equality for gays and lesbians since 2006, and the legal alteration of gender description in identity documents since 2003.  Legalities not specificallyaddressed in the Constitution anomalous to then respective current applicable laws. Johannesburg Pride equally seeks to redress the social and prejudicial discrimination of LGBTIAQ and the right to equality and dignity."

"In addition South Africa needs to be a champion of these rights in support of its immediate neighbours within the Southern African Development  Community (SADC) as well as on the African continent as a whole, while not discounting countries where LGBITAQ is criminalised."

"Despite the ratification of the  African Union’s (AU) Charter on Human and People’s Rights by 53 AU states, and while the United Nations’ instrument has universal application, scores of African countries specifically finger the LGBTQI minority for particular crimininalisation, vilification and subjugation. Johannesburg Pride stands in solidarity" 

As a openly gay man and a Finalist for Mr. Gay South Africa 2014, I am proud to have been part of the 2013 Johannesburg Pride celebrations. I encourage fellow community members to support events like this, not only to celebrate but to ensure that we are noticed and recognised as community. To lobby for our rights and place within a bigger society.