Every year this month is celebrated to honour the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, New York. That Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.

Initially the last Sunday in June was celebrated as "Gay Pride Day," but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the US the "day" soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include parades, picnics, parties, workshops, and concerts.

Before covid memorials were held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost due to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The true purpose of pride month is to recognize the impact that Queer individuals have had on history locally, and internationally.

South African queer people enjoy the same rights as non queer people in the eyes of the law. Other African countries have a long way to go before queers not only enjoy their right to equality but can also live their lives safely and in dignity.

While we celebrate pride month this year, we must remember the lives of the Queer Kings and Kweens who have been brutally taken away from us due to homophobic violence, intolerance and hatred for living their truth.

There are many organizations in South Africa and Africa who dedicate their time and energy to protect the rights of all queer people. I urge you all to support their efforts by donating to them as many are greatly underfunded.

To all those brave brothers and sisters I salute you and all the work that you do.

Sandiswa and Amandla met when they were working together, Sandiswa was then Amandla's superior. Fast forward a few years the two got married but things did not turn out as they envisioned. They called it quits and found love in other people. while with other people they became each others side dishes, and now they are back together again married, inlove and each others best friends. 

Find out how this queer couple navigated their love life and made it full circle. 

Follow Sandiswa on Facebook - Sandiswa Nyati-Ludidi 

Amandla - IG - amandla_nyatiludidi

              - Facebook - Amandla Nyati-Ludidi

              - Twitter - @nyati_ludidi

Relationships that start off via social media are not always about instant gratification and meaningless sex. Bokamoso & Tshoanelo are living testament to the fact that love can be found in the most unlikeliest places. 

From a twitter post to DM to WhatsApp to their first date and finally the day Tshoanelo proposed, this fun queer couple tell us how it all came together and why they decided to move in together during peak lockdown.

Lauren offers counselling for a variety of concerns, including addiction, marriage, relationship problems, trauma, bereavement, HIV/Aids and general lifestyle issues and concerns. Her clientele is generally between the ages of 5 and 55 and are looking for holistic counselling, to improve their lifestyles from an overall wellness perspective.

"If you are struggling, you do not have to do it alone. If you are unable to find solutions, let's explore your options together. I offer a non-judgmental space where you are able to just be yourself and speak freely and openly".

EXP Medical Centre

Call Lauren Loots for a phone consultation now - 087 250 2389 x85

The term “chronic kidney disease” means lasting damage to the kidneys that can get worse over time. If the damage is very bad, your kidneys may stop working. This is called kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). If your kidneys fail, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant in order to live.

Listen to Goliath**speak about how he discovered that he had chronic kidney disease and would have to live the rest of his life on dialysis. This young queer has had to overcome depression and live his life in fear during peak covid 19 lockdown. He has come full circle in accepting what he cannot change and is now living everyday to the fullest the best way he can. 

Former media practitioner Mbulelo Xinana from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape knew that his life was to do more than be behind the camera covering stories. The trajectory of his life work changed when he covered a LGBTQI+ event in the city of his birth Port Elizabeth.

Together with the organization that he works, ISICEBISI, this young queer coordinates events that aim to teach the youth about LGBTQI+ education, Gender Based Violence as well as sensitization workshops for parents and teachers of queer youth at schools in Port Elizabeth.

Follow this remarkable young man on social media on the following handles:

Twitter - @mbuleloxinana

Instagram - @mbulelo Xinana

As a teenager, Khanyisa Pinda, was told he had six weeks to live because he had dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) – an enlarged heart. But now, he is a medical doctor who has been working on the front line during the pandemic

Dr Pinda was a first-year medical student when he was diagnosed with DCM, a condition in which the heart’s ability to pump blood is decreased because the heart’s main pumping chamber, the left ventricle, is enlarged and weakened. In some cases, it prevents the heart from relaxing and filling with blood as it should.

In 2017, doctors put Pinda’s name on an urgent transplant waiting list after his condition deteriorated so much that his heart was left with only 10% functionality. With the help of medication and frequent check-ups, Pinda’s condition has since improved, allowing him to graduate and work as a doctor at New Somerset Hospital in Cape Town.

At present, his heart functionality is 26% and he has been delisted on the donor list.

Follow this phenomenal queer on social media on the following handles:

Twitter: @khanyisa_pinda

Instagram: khanyisa_pinda

Depression - A mental health disorder characterised by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life. Depression can also be associated with thoughts of suicide

Anxiety - Intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Fast heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating and feeling tired may occur. Anxiety is only an indicator of underlying disease when feelings become excessive, all-consuming and interfere with daily living.

Nomfundo has always known since her younger days that something was amiss with her, she didn't know what it was or if there was a word for it. 

"When covid happened and the country was on lockdown, this baker from Witbank in Mpumalanga saw her life going from 100 to 0. She lost her job and her depression and anxiety was at it peak". On this episode Nomfundo speaks about her journey with coming to terms with her mental health issues and how she copes with her everyday ups and downs. 

Follow Nomfundo on the following social media accounts

Twitter - @I2_meleng_fufy

Instagram - @i2_meleng 

We speak to Reiki Master Ingrid Pollak , a Social worker with a Special interest in: Anger Management, Anxiety, Brain spotting, EMDR, Depression,

Queers are encouraged to seek professional help should they feel overwhelmed by everyday life. 

contact Ingrid on the details below

Tel: +27 (0)82 331 8424

Gang Raped at the tender age of 17 , Siyabonga Makhonxa speaks to us about dealing with being gang raped and living with HIV. 

Born in Port Elizabeth and raised in Fort Beaufort , a small town in the Eastern Cape. This young man has lived a life filled with suffering and pain but has risen above all that and has become an outspoken HIV Activist and ARV ambassador. 

Follow this phenominal queer on Facebook @Siyabonga Makhonxa.