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JOHANNESBURG (AP) \u2014 Hundreds of people marched Saturday in the South African capital to mark 35 years of Pride Johannesburg, an annual event that has been critical in advocating equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community.<\/p>\n
The march in the Sandton district of Johannesburg, was a colorful spectacle but also an opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community to highlight critical issues such as the discrimination most members of the community still face despite South Africa\u2019s progressive stance on equality issues.<\/p>\n
Johannesburg resident Alice Mpholo, was one of the people who supported the march.<\/p>\n
\u201cPride is really kind of reminiscent of just the rights and the opportunities that this community has fought so hard for,” she said. \u201cAnd it\u2019s not just in South Africa. It\u2019s across the continent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mpholo said there were still many countries on the African continent where LGBTQ+ people’s rights are not recognized.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are being prosecuted. They are being killed just for existing. So a day like this is a day for celebration, but it is a day to appreciate the privilege of being able to be myself and be with people that are just like me\u201d, said Mpholo.<\/p>\n
Bruce Conway, another participant, said the event provides a safe space for the community to express themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m here today to celebrate myself and other people who embrace their identity in radical ways and ways that we don\u2019t normally appreciate on a day to day way. And I\u2019m here to experience love in multiple capacities,” he said.<\/p>\n
Traffic around the central district of Sandton was diverted to accommodate the march.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n