Preparing for Pride 2009

Gay pride is the biggest event in any gay, bi or Trans gender person’s

calendar. And it’s also quite big for some companies who use it to show

awareness to the masses it brings to support the gay, bi and Trans gender

nation within the Gauteng area.

So when one prepares for this big event, one has a mental to do list in their

heads and some physically write it down such as myself. I can’t trust my

memory sometimes especially when it comes to remembering things that don’t have much emotion to them.

So my mental to do list would start as follows:

1. Must find out what weather will be like

2. Must find suitable outfit (which is great as it means I get to venture through malls such as Sandton city to find my perfect attire for that day.)

3. Round up the troops ( the social groups in which I travel) to find out who is here, who isn’t, why they aren’t and arrange who will be with me on the day we March for our rights, freedom, support within South Africa and the world.

4. Book hair appointment and find a really funky style to have it cut into just for the day.

5. Decide if we are marching on foot or joining a float. If were marching find and break in the perfect walking shoes. If joining a float finding out the theme dressing accordingly and sorting out what you’re supporting on that float.

6. Ensuring that camera batteries are fully charged as you want to capture the memorable event.

7. Sunscreen if it’s hot (and usually it is) in the 12 years I have been out and proud it’s only rained once.

8. Deciding on meeting points… pre parties and after parties. It’s a more than a 24 hour event. One has to prepare and know everything before the day arrives.

There is already two weeks before so much build up, the gay and lesbian film festival was just on in Monte Casino, then there is picnics and dinners and meetings, Martina Natrivilova has sent a message to wish us gay’s a good pride parade.94.7 has little ads every now and again building us up, for the actual day, this year they are joining us to March through Rosebank in Johannesburg. I wouldn’t mind being on their float to be perfectly honest but so would everyone. One can dream I guess. Right now I have to focus on Pride though, you have seen my list of things to do before this great day and not only must I have one for me but for my sister who is coming to March with me in support of me and my friends and our life style. Last year they claimed there was 10 000 people. I hope this year we beat it.

So come on Gautengers come and support all the gay, bi, and Trans gender people you may have met or know. Come March and support us.

3rd October 2009 Zoo Lake Rosebank 09:00 till 17:00. This is an event for everyone.