“There was some mobilization in the media and online by hate groups in the week leading up to the event,” Matt says. Local news outlets contributed to the climate of fear that preceded the official celebration. “This is the first event of its kind, our first opportunity to show our faces to the world and to our country,” he said. Just last week, The Rock of Hope’s Melusi Simelane revealed to that threats had been made yet activists remained undeterred. Unsurprisingly, the weeks leading up to the event were fraught with worry and concern. Instead, this was a moment of community and personal empowerment, and a powerful boost to so many who have previously had to hide, but who today experienced the giddy excitement of visibility.”
We were loud, proud and dignified, and nobody came to hurl hatred, abuse or worse at us, as had been feared. At certain moments, the infectious joy of this community was so intense that it was difficult to hold back the tears. Recalling his experiences to i-D, he described the parade as, “beautiful and colorful. Matt Beard, the company’s Executive Director, was among the activists marching through the streets and celebrating the country’s LGBT+ community.
