Coronavirus | Free State Pride & Mr Gay Western Cape postponed

More LGBTQ+ events have now been postponed because of the growing threat of coronavirus in South Africa.

With 116 people thus far confirmed to be infected with the virus in the country, the authorities have announced measures to reduce the spread of the virus.

As revealed by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday, this includes a ban on events with more than 100 people.

In response, the organisers of the annual Free State Pride, which was set to take place on Saturday in Bloemfontein, have announced that the event will not go ahead, at least for now.

“In light of the honourable President Ramaphosa’s State of the Disaster [statement] last night banning all mass gatherings, meetings and events with more than 100 people, Pride has been postponed,” said Free State Rainbow Seeds, which hosts the event. A new date has yet to be announced.

The inaugural Mr Gay Western Cape, which was scheduled for 11 April at the Joseph Stone Auditorium in Athlone, Cape Town has also been put on hold.

Organiser Barry Reid, who produces the popular Miss Gay Western Cape pageant, confirmed on Facebook: “Dear Friends and Supporters of Mr Gay Western Cape, in lieu of the President’s Announcement, we are forced to postpone Mr GWC until further notice.

He added: “As soon as the President announces the lift on gatherings of 100 people or more we will set a new date.”

The news follows the earlier announcements that both Mr Gay World 2020 and the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras and Arts Festival, which were both being held in Knysna, have also been postponed – most likely to some time in September.