(Posted 10th July 2023)
On 20 June, LoAnn Halden, Vice President of Communications for the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, moderated an EQUAL Africa, part of Africa Travel Week, webinar on unpacking the importance of Pride events as drivers of tourism and change, especially in the African context.
The webinar’s esteemed panellists included Aisha Shaibu-Lenoir, Queer Activist, Cultural
Producer and Founder of Moonlight Experiences; Michael Gladwin, Founder of Afrigay Travel
and AllStay LGBTQ+ Education; Rodney Otieno, Co-Founder and Director of Policy
Development and Membership for the Queer and Allied Chamber of Commerce Africa; and
Nonhlanhla ‘MC’ Mkhize Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Lesbian and Gay
Community and Health Centre.
The panellists explored various crucial topics within the LGBTQ+ community, including how
Pride events provide that push for countries – and the governments and businesses operating
within them – to fully embrace the idea of inclusivity instead of ‘pinkwashing’ once a year in
June.
“Pride events, like Durban Pride, are selling the concept of pride as not just a one-day activity,but a year-long campaign and investment,” said Mkhize.
“It’s really important to think beyond the concept of ‘we welcome everyone’. We need to
understand why we need to be inclusive and how we need to be inclusive – what we need to do in order to become truly inclusive. We can’t just say we are. We need to action it,” added Gladwin.
The panellists also highlighted the importance of allies in the fight for change, addressing how
there’s often a ‘fear factor’ at play amongst many individuals, organisations, and business
owners who wish to support the community.
“LGBTQ is a very complex community, and sometimes people get scared. ‘What if I say
something wrong? What if I mess up the acronym? Or what if I say something that offends you?’ That fear, again, goes back to education. We need to have open conversations with people who are open to being our allies but don’t understand how to come into our world,” Otieno commented.
Despite the many concerns in countries like Uganda at the moment, it’s true that Africa has
taken many great strides towards inclusivity, and each panellist is hopeful for continued
progress across the continent in the future. Gladwin noted how much work is being done to
bring the World Pride 2028 event and InterPride 2024 Annual General Meeting & World
Conference to Cape Town, often seen as Africa’s LGBTQ+ beacon of hope.
“We need to create a global conversation, find the gaps, and find the solutions. Let the
conversation begin in Cape Town,” he said.
Shaibu-Lenoir concluded the webinar by reminding everyone of the foundation of these Pride
events.
“Anyone who wants to be an authentic ally must understand that queerness has always been political. Pride, in its foundation, is a protest. That needs to lead the way in Africa like it has in so many other countries. Pride is also a wondrous celebration, but we mustn’t forget that, at its core, it’s about change. Things can get better.”
Interested parties who would like to watch the webinar can click here.
