The annual Cape Town Pride Festival (26 February to 6 March 2011) is a celebration of our wonderful diversity enshrined within our constitution, and also creates awareness around issues impacting on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities locally and throughout Africa.

The 2011 Cape Town Pride Festival is scheduled to commence on 24th February and run until 6th March 2011. Cape Town Gay Pride is administered by a Board of Directors appointed from and by the Gay and Lesbian community. The 11 day Festival is a highlight of Cape Town's Gay Calendar.

February and March are regularly the months during which Cape Town host a lot of events including parties, parades, pageants and picnics to accommodate everyone. Cape Town's Pride Festival began in 2001.  By 2002 it combined with a local gay event. This parade aims at showcasing the diversity and sense of togetherness within the gay community.

As in previous years, the Pride Pageant would have normally taken place already, it happens before the official opening of the Festival, so that the newly crowned Mr & Miss Gay Pride can lead in the various events throughout the Festival. However, this year it is included in the festivities and will take place on the 26 February 2011 at the Joseph Stone Auditorium in Athlone.

Cape Town Gay Pride Week includes the launch cocktail party, the Red party, fashion shows, sports events, art exhibitions and some great functions. The theme for Cape Town Pride Festival 2011 is "Love our Diversity".

Cape Town Pride's principle beneficiary is the Pride Shelter Trust, a non-profit, Section 21 company, established independently from Cape Town Pride. The Trust aims to establish and manage a shelter offering short-term safe accommodation to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community of greater Cape Town during times of crisis. Cited: Capetownpride, 2011.

By Supporting Cape Town Pride, you will also support the aid of a much needed shelter for displaced persons who find themselves victims of Homophobia. For more information visit the Pride Shelter Trust.

For more information and the programme for 2011, follow the link below:

http://www.capetownpride.org/

Page updated: 24 February 2011