When it comes to PRIDE Month what excites the Queerguru Team more is not the well-oiled heavily sponsored events in metropolitan cities like New York, London, or Berlin. It’s those smaller cities, that are more remote and where sometimes people quite rightly think they may be the ‘only gay in the village’ that hold Pride events for the very first time.
Just like Delaware County in the oldest settled section of Pennsylvania, has just had its first-ever LGBTQ Pride parade Organizers estimate more than 1,000 people gathered and walked through the borough’s streets to celebrate the beginning of Pride Month and the inaugural event.
It was all organized by U.D.T.J. the local social justice group that also organized a Pride Festival in Upper Darby a home-rule township in Delaware County, for the past two years.
Kyle McIntyre, co-founder of U.D.T.J. told the local PBS station “not only do we have so many people come out and join us in the parade itself, but just to watch, support, and attend…it was just heartwarming. And look, Pride is here to stay in Delaware County and it’s just getting started. So we’re so excited,”
The irony of all this is that the main Philly Pride Parade was canceled because of internal conflicts after 28 years
Then right across on the other side of the World an extremely brave handful of Nigerians in QueerCity Media are preparing their second Pride Celebration. Like other African countries simply being gay can threaten your freedom and even your life.
In 2014 Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act (SSMPA) was signed into law which threatens a 14-year jail term for anyone caught in a same-sex relationship. In the Muslim-majority north, where Sharia law often takes precedence, homosexuality is punishable by death by stoning. Not only does this and other laws endanger the lives of queer people in Nigeria, it also empowers homophobes to take matters into their hands; the lynching and murder of anyone who is openly queer, or perceived to be, is common.
Against such oppression, last year the Nigerian queer community held its first-ever Pride. Pride in Lagos featured art exhibitions, a Pride ball, a Pride village with local NGOs, the publishing of a Pride anthology, and a drag competition called DragHerThon. Grindr and the Capitol Ballroom Council in Washington, D.C. were a few organizations partnering with Pride in Lagos.
Despite opposition and backlashes the first Event was successful enough for them to mount a second one this year from June 12th to June 18th, In fact, they promise his year’s celebration promises to be bigger and better than ever before, as we come together to celebrate love, diversity, and inclusion.
Pride Lagos told us “Our mission is to create a safe and inclusive space where everyone can be their authentic selves, without fear of discrimination or prejudice.” The message of this year’s Pride in Lagos theme underscores the importance of inclusivity and acceptance of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic that sets them apart from others in Lagos, Nigeria, and West Africa.
It puts a totally new perspective on the whole concept of queer pride …… and if you would like the fledging Pride in Lagos to continue to make waves then you can help by donating HERE
