{"id":2432,"date":"2026-04-09T19:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T19:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fattehmagazine.com\/?p=2432"},"modified":"2026-04-09T19:59:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T19:59:25","slug":"cape-town-pride-echoes-across-the-continent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fattehmagazine.com\/am\/cape-town-pride-echoes-across-the-continent\/","title":{"rendered":"Africa Update | Cape Town Pride Echoes Across the Continent"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cape Town Pride attendees gather in South Africa\u2019s second-largest city in March 2026. Image courtesy of Natalie Jeanne Photography<\/a> for Cape Town Pride via Instagram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

In our March round-up of must-read LGBTQ+ news, Fatteh spotlights Botswana\u2019s same-sex<\/em> marriage battle, religious homophobia in Senegal, Nigeria\u2019s secret parties for feminine men and<\/em> stories from Zambia, Ghana and the DR Congo.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

by Beza Lealem <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s rare for three \u2018good news stories\u2019 to emerge in the same month from Africa\u2019s LGBTQ landscape. But March was one such month, as two women from Botswana took the government to court in a bid to secure the right to marry, and a Kenyan court finally held extortionists accountable for crimes against gay men. Elsewhere, one of the continent\u2019s oldest and largest Pride events brought together more than 10,000 people in a vibrant show of visibility, joy and community in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cape Town Pride welcomed revellers to its party-meets-protest in March after nearly a month of festivities. The city saw a strong presence of LGBTQ creatives, drag artists and DJs across the wider programme, all celebrating the theme of ubuntu<\/em>, \u2018I am because we are\u2019. Performances from South African singers including Jimmy Nevis and Belinda Davids rocked the Mardi Gras stage after the main parade. Although the event dates to 2001 in its current form, Cape Town\u2019s first Pride march was first held in 1993, three years after the country\u2019s maiden LGBTQ march in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this year\u2019s extravaganza, Nkosinathi Sangweni Waka Mtshali<\/a> reminded attendees that 2026 marks two important anniversaries for South Africa. \u201cThis year, we honour 30 years of our constitution and 20 years of marriage equality, reminders of a journey shaped by courage, struggle and triumph. Even as our community continues to face real challenges, our voices rise, our stories grow louder, and our presence becomes ever more undeniable. Pride remains our declaration that we will not dim our light, that we will continue to love fiercely, and that we will shape a future where every one of us can stand fully seen,\u201d<\/em> said Cape Town Pride\u2019s brand ambassador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event may feel remote to Africans beyond South Africa – especially those in countries increasingly hostile to LGBTQ people or where homosexuality is criminalised – but it still offers a tangible sign of hope across the continent. That sense of possibility is important in a month when Senegal\u2019s president signed a harsher anti-gay bill<\/a>, doubling the maximum penalty for same-sex relations, despite calls from the United Nations human rights chief<\/a> not to. It was also a month when anti-LGBTQ crackdowns intensified across Uganda, Ghana and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introducing Fatteh\u2019s Defender of the Month<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As sombre headlines often dominate LGBTQ news in Africa, we decided to launch a new series focusing on the positive within these otherwise distressing stories. Each month, we will celebrate the bold, brave and admirable people who stand up for LGBTQ communities across the continent, from the tireless activists dedicated to the cause to ordinary people who make the difficult decision to put their necks on the line for others. Their efforts rarely receive the attention they deserve, even though personal sacrifice is often required to advance LGBTQ rights in our region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Fatteh\u2019s Defender of the Month\u2019 <\/strong>– our very first in the series – is Faustina Araba Forson<\/strong>, a reverend and mother of Ghanaian transgender musician Angel Maxine<\/a>. When faced with the prospect of Ghana reviving its extreme anti-LGBTQ bill, Forson took to social media to publicly denounce the lamentable legislation in a grassroots campaign like no other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m asking mothers who have LGBTQ children like mine to come and join together and fight for our children. Don\u2019t shy away from your children. Don\u2019t let society push you and say that your child is a demon. No, your child is created by God and so your child is special. They are human beings like everybody, and they deserve to live like everybody\u2026I love my LGBTQ child,\u201d <\/em>said Forson, in a March video message<\/a> published by advocacy group Rightify Ghana<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Ghana\u2019s \u2018Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill\u2019 becomes law, it would expose anyone serving or defending LGBTQ people to criminal prosecution – be that lawyers, health care professionals or family members. Human Rights Watch<\/a> says that, because of the way the bill defines an ally, it \u201cextends well beyond the regulation of conduct, criminalizing identity, stifling advocacy, dismantling important civil society structures, and compelling citizens to surveil and denounce one another.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visibly worried and exasperated, Forson said, \u201cthis bill that is coming\u2026has given me so much pain and I know there are mothers like me who are also going through the same. [The bill says that I have] a duty to report my own child [and tell the authorities to] come and arrest my child! Look at the pain you are putting a mother through. There\u2019s no need for any bill to be passed. It has to be cancelled.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forson\u2019s passionate campaign had already reached thousands before it was picked up by mainstream media such as Pulse Ghana<\/em>.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s our round-up of other March headlines.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\"\" \"\" <\/strong><\/strong><\/a>Ugandan women jailed for kissing re-arrested after being granted bail<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>

\"\" \"\" <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Islamic group Jamra handed over list of LGBTQ people to Senegal investigators<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>

\"\" \"\" <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>US conservative Christian group supported Senegal\u2019s anti-gay law campaigners<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>

\"\" <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Rebels in DR Congo target LGBTQ activists with extreme violence, UN warns<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>

\"\" <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Nigeria, Niger and Chad\u2019s feminine men attend secret \u2018yan daudu\u2019 parties<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>

\"\" \"\" <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Court sets date to hear activists appeal for Uganda\u2019s Anti-Homosexuality Act<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>

\"\" \"\" <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>US college revokes Ghana president\u2019s honorary degree over anti-LGBTQ stance<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>

\"\" <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Nigeria\u2019s anti-gay law is fuelling violent vigilantes and a \u2018blackmail economy\u2019<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>

\"\" <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Kenyan court jails anti-gay perpetrators in landmark robbery and extortion case<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>

\"\" <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>LGBTQ activists concerned over US decision to withhold HIV aid to Zambia<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>

\"\" \"\" <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Violence against Uganda\u2019s LGBTQ community has surged since the new year<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>

\"\" \"\" <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>South Africa\u2019s Metropolitan Community Churches condemns killing of gay imam<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>

\"\" \"\" <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Moroccan LGBTQ activist jailed for \u2018insulting Islam\u2019 faces arm amputation risk<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>

\"\" \"\" <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Senegal\u2019s president signs law doubling prison term for same-sex relations<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\" Botswana same-sex couple takes government to court to fight for right to marry<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In our March round-up of must-read LGBTQ+ news, Fatteh spotlights Botswana\u2019s same-sex marriage battle, religious homophobia in Senegal, Nigeria\u2019s secret parties for feminine men and stories from Zambia, Ghana and the DR Congo.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2434,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2432","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fattehmagazine.com\/am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2432","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fattehmagazine.com\/am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fattehmagazine.com\/am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fattehmagazine.com\/am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fattehmagazine.com\/am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2432"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/fattehmagazine.com\/am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2432\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2448,"href":"https:\/\/fattehmagazine.com\/am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2432\/revisions\/2448"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fattehmagazine.com\/am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2434"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fattehmagazine.com\/am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fattehmagazine.com\/am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fattehmagazine.com\/am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}