Editor’s Comment

FROM

THE EDITOR

Welcome all readers

The coronavirus a.k.a Covid-19 has taken the world by storm with nearly every country (over) reacting by shutting down their economies and keeping their populations isolated in their homes or in quarantine centres around the world.

However, it is the reality of our lives in South Africa and we have to make the best of what is a very bad situation. In this issue we look at a number of issues relating to life under lockdown: there’s Breaking The Silence (page 4) which features a number of posts from LGBTI people around the world and their stories of surviving in these unprecedented times. Sex is a basic need, go to page 46 where we look at sex (or the lack of it), in the time of Covid-19.

With so many businesses failing as a result of the governments extreme measures we take a look at how to dress for that all important interview when applying for a new job in the fashion feature on pages 12 - 15

It’s not all doom and gloom though, and we feature Yahto Kraft who has just dropped his fabulous new single Ugly, which is set to top the charts, on page 26. We also have an article on Tyron Zoutman , (page 8) - a very talented dancer/ choreographer who hails from Cape Town.

Cape Town Pride 2020 was the biggest and most successful Pride event to date on the African continent, and happened just before the shutdown - visit pages 17 to 24 to see all the pics ...

The lockdown has left many people, especially the most vulnerable in our community, in dire straights - See pages 30 & 31 to help with a food drive to assist these less fortunate people. Gay owned business, Schmidhauser Electrical is also helping with the survivors of rape and abuse - See page 38

All over the world Pride celebrations have been cancelled as a result of corona - Interpride are planning an global Pride online, and South Africa will be participating - the date for this huge event is 27 June, so save the date and get streaming to join in the global party!

Everyone is afraid, but remember you can’t let fear take the joy out of life, so keep positive thoughts and stay safe... mask up, keep your hands clean, don’t touch anyone up... till better days ...

IMPORTANT NOTE THE NEW PRIDE SHELTER CRISIS NUMBER NICOLE 0722876310

ISSN 2304-859X

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PATTERSON PUBLICATIONS

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MANAGING EDITOR:

Tommy Patterson 082 562 3358

CONTRIBUTORS: Daniel Dercksen,

Mark S. King

PHOTOGRAPHY:

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LGBTQ COMMUNITIES

The Coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on LGBTI Pride events across the globe. There won’t be rainbow floats in the streets, but Pride will still happen — online. As the old adage says “There’s Always a Rainbow After the Rain.”

More than 300 pride events around the world have been cancelled or postponed as a result of the lockdowns and consequent ban on gatherings. Homophobic religious people are screaming antigay rhetoric from their pulpits. A pastor in Chicago is shouting about God reclaiming his rainbow as we see rainbow flags fluttering in support of health workers. A rabbi in Israel is blaming the virus on homosexuality. Yeah... they are still doing this even in 2020 ... and yes, some Islamic states still have the death penalty. But, the coronavirus pandemic has had unexpected knock-on effects for LGBTQ people around the world: forcing LGBTQ youth back into living with their families in lockdown where they may not be accepted, placing vulnerable people at risk of homelessness and employment insecurity, and stalling progress on potential legal changes that could grant LGBTQ people greater rights. In an ordinary year, Pride celebrations would offer a chance to gather together, celebrate the achievements of the community and reflect on the future for social change. For many, Pride is much more than a one-off party or day-long festival. It’s an opportunity for people who may not be “out” publicly to feel comfortable, surrounded by others in their community. For others, Pride is an opportunity to push for further social change. For some its a time to celebrate the achievements their community has made in their countries and a time to stand in solidarity with those in countries where they do not enjoy our freedoms and in some cases have the death penalty - just for being gay! “LGBT people around the world are insanely resilient, but they face isolation every day in their life,” says J. Andrew Baker, coPresident of Interpride, the international association of Pride organisers, speaking to Time . “One of the challenges we find today is that LGBT people are even more isolated.” To overcome that isolation, the world’s biggest international Pride networks, Interpride and the European Pride Organisers Association, are organising a “Global Pride” to be celebrated online on June 27. Global Pride organisers are planning a 24-hour live streamed event, including remote contributions from international Prides, speeches from human rights activists, workshops with activists and high-profile performers yet to be confirmed. Activists say that in countries like Uganda and Nigeria, where gay people face significant persecution, Global Pride offers a tool for marginalised LGBTQ people to realise they are part of a bigger family worldwide. “It’s become the cornerstone of LGBTQ communities,” says Jed Dowling, the festival director of Dublin LGBTQ Pride. “It’s our Patrick’s Day, it’s our 4th of July, it’s a symbol of everything that was achieved through the year.” South Africa’s InterPride representative, and Cape Town Pride festival director, Matthew Van As said, “Global Pride presents a chance to overcome the challenges of isolation caused by the coronavirus.” He is currently busy signing up local and international African artists to perform at this iconic first-time global event. So make a point of saving the date and join in celebrating Global Pride... 27th JUNE 2020 Source; Time.com