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South African Culture: Gay South Africa

Gay South Africa

South Africa is very liberal regarding its gay and lesbian population. Gay sex has been legal since 1994 for consenting adults over 18, discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation was made illegal under the constitution in 1996, and same-sex marriage was legalized in 2006.

Cape Town (in particular), Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, and Port Elizabeth to name the major urban centers, all have a thriving gay scene. South Africa now ranks as one of the world's biggest destinations for gay travelers. Outside the main urban centers, homosexuality is still taboo in conservative black and white communities.

South Africa also has its own Pink Loerie Mardi Gras held every year in the town of Knysna. Joburg Pride (the Johannesburg Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade) has been an event on the Johannesburg calendar since 1990. Every December, Cape Town is host to the Mother City Queer Project Festival, a huge gay/drag party in December and the Cape Town Pride Festival in February.

Cape Town is probably the most openly gay city in Africa with the above mentioned Mother City Queer Project Festival rivaling Sydney's Mardi Gras and a gay film festival organized by Out in Africa in Cape Town and Johannesburg in November.

The gay bar and club scene in Cape Town is based around the De Waterkant, Green Point and Sea Point areas of the inner city. The area has gay accommodation (B&Bs and guesthouses), cruise bars and steam baths. Gay beaches include Clifton No 3 and the nudist beach at Sandy Bay.

In Johannesburg gay nightlife centers around Gauteng and is more multi-racial than the predominately white scene in Cape Time. Jo'burg's Gay Pride march is held annually in September.

Durban's smaller gay scene includes the gay-friendly restaurant and art space Bean Bag Bohemia and The Lounge, a gay club at 226 Stamford Hill Rd in Morningside.

Useful gay & lesbian numbers

Gay and Lesbian Coalition, Cape Town
Tel. (011) 487 3810
www.q.co.za

A website with almost everything about being gay and lesbian in South Africa, including what's on.

South African Gay Information and Travel Guide
www.gaysouthafrica.net
An online resource for the gay traveler to South Africa.

Exit
www.exit.co.za
Long-standing gay newspaper and online resource.

Triangle Project
www.triangle.org.za
Offers counseling / medical service and works towards empowerment for gay communities.

Behind The Mask
www.mask.org.za
A communication initiative around LGBTI rights and affairs in Africa.

Related Links

Gay Austria

Gay Germany

Gay Poland

Gay Switzerland

Gay Ukraine

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