Gateway to Africa

Johannesburg is definitely South Africa's gateway to Africa - most airlines to South Africa fly directly into Johannesburg's Oliver Tambo International Airport. A few now fly from Europe or the Americas to Cape Town and the third major city, Durban, our east-coast port city is seeing increasing traffic. This will be boosted with the completion of Durban's huge King Shaka Interntional Airport in time for the 2010 world cup soccer event being hosted by South Africa.

Photo is courtesy of GayShare - Johannesburg Pride 2008.

Biggest Gay Party December

In Durban for the launch of QC2's huge December gay circuit parties coming to Johannesburg (Sat 29 December), Durban (Tues 26 December) and Cape Town (New Year's Eve Thurs 31 December) is promoter Pieter (right) seen with Durban View Gay Guesthouse co-owner Llewellyn (second from right) and guests Lindeque (left) and John (second from left).

Salvation are the most famouse gay parties in London and the world with rave reviews from every continent.

So be sure to be there... log on to QC2's website and make sure you get your tickets early. QC2 were the organisers of the recent Fireman's Ball at the Dome in Johannesburg with several thouand Pride after-party enthusiasts.

The Face of Pride Johannesburg

The face of Pride Johannesburg 2009... what a party, what a fest!!

For more pics here's the link to the Joburg Pride pics and Facebook group.

Mr Gay South Africa at Pride

Mr Gay South Africa finalist Gavin Deale (second from left) at the H2O Pride after-party in Johannesburg this weekend.

You can vote for Gavin to take top honours in the finals of the Pageant to be held in Johannesburg in November by sending your sms message GSA Gavin Deale to 35215.

3 cities more fun

Johannesburg (John, second from left) visits Durban View Gay Guesthouse joining Durban (Llewellyn, left) and Cape Town (Shaun and Tom, right) - for some 3 cities more fun in the roof-top jacuzzi.

And all this while Johannesburg was in the middle of it's annual Pride Festival.

Seems like everyone had some fun this weekend!

Out in Africa Film Festival 3-13 Sept

The 16th OUT IN AFRICA South African Gay & Lesbian Film Festival takes place in Johannesburg from 3-13 September and in Cape Town from 10-20 September 2009 and features 17 international feature films and 9 South African productions, five of which are world premieres.

The festival has a wide range of films to appeal to all with subjects that run the gamut of human experience. Themes range and include, amongst others: high school hilarities, forbidden love, coming out, the desire for children and ageing gigolos. Moviegoers can look forward to comedies, tragedies, dramas and thought provoking documentaries. Every genre of filmmaking is covered including homage to celebrated gay icons.

Award winning international directors and actors will attend as guests of the festival. The festival opens with Spinnin' (6 Billion Different People) a film made by Spanish director Eusebio Pastrana in 2007. This is the Spaniards at their wacky best – an exuberant award winning film set in Madrid in 1995 and follows lovers Garate and Omar as they seek to have a child.

Included in the line up is Fig Trees. Directed by John Greyson, this Canadian production is a contemporary opera based on the lives of South Africa’s own HIV/Aids activist, Zackie Achmat and Canadian Tim McCaskell. The film uses clever historical references to Gertrude Stein and Virgil Thompson and is richly layered, intelligent and unique. Greyson, who is considered the Prince of Gay Filmmaking, is a guest of the festival and will be in attendance. He travels courtesy of the Canadian High Commission.

Angel, directed by Giorgios Katakouzinos is an award winning film that when it debuted at Cannes in 1982, took the world by storm. Based on a true story this Greek classic is considered the one Greek film that all Greeks have seen. Anyone who has seen Cabaret will be fascinated by Chris and Don, directed by Guido Santi and Tina Mascara This amazing documentary is about Christopher Isherwood whose short stories “Goodbye to Berlin” were the basis for the musical Cabaret. This sharp, witty and revealing film is told mainly by his lover, Don, and is supported by amazing archival footage of Hollywood starting in the late forties.

Courtesy of the British Council, the festival welcomes in attendance director Simon Pearce and producer Christian Martin whose film Shank follows the story of working class Cal who hides the fact that he is gay to his fellow gang members. Trouble erupts when he rescues a French boy his gang beats up. This explicit, shocking, largely hand-held film has already picked an international award and breathes new life into British alternative cinema.

Probably the most controversial film of the festival is the recently unbanned by the South African Film & Publications Board, XXY. This multi-award winning film is a complex tale of gender, identity and sexual orientation. Beautifully shot with stellar performances, the festival is proud to welcome the director, Lucía Puenzo and lead actor Inés Efron.

Click on the link here to see the full Johannesburg schedule at Monte Casino.

Johannesburg Gay Beach Party: Sat 31 Oct

Of course urbanites will be laughing to imagine Johannesburg holding a beach party when Johannesburg is 600 kms from the nearest beach....

...but the "beach" and Pool party will be the ultimate Pool party for all with Hot topless Barmen , DJs, Dancers and hot topless men.

Johannesburg summers will never be the same again with only 1500 TICKETS AVALIBLE FOR THIS FANTASTIC DAY/ NIGHT EVENT.

Tickets will only go on sale on the 15th September and the organisers are top event organisers of QC events and Risque fame.... so click on the Facebook link for more event info and make sure you are there to be seen.

Johannesburg to be Awarded

San Francisco, CA - A quick Google search and you’ll find a list of cities that have hosted the Gay Games. Seven cities, San Francisco (twice), Vancouver, New York, Amsterdam, Sydney, Chicago and Cologne (in 2010) share the honour.

But what about Gay Games Toronto? Gay Games LA? Or Johannesburg 2010? Just like during the Olympic bid process, there is stiff competition to host the next Gay Games and only one city can be selected. Toronto, Los Angeles and Johannesburg are examples of cities that marshaled significant resources and energy to bid to host the Gay Games but ultimately were not chosen.

As the Gay Games 2014 Site Selection process winds down and as the world begins final preparations for next summer’s 2010 Gay Games in Germany, the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) has announced a new award designed to honour all previous Gay Games bidding cities and host city organisations. Each city has been invited to send representation to the 2010 Gay Games in Cologne where each city will be presented with a Medal of Honour during the July 31, 2010, Opening Ceremony.

The 18 cities that will be honoured include: Amsterdam, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Cologne, Dallas, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Montreal, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Sydney, Toronto, Vancouver and Washington, DC. Each city has been invited to send representatives to Cologne for the special ceremony.

It's Pride in Johannesburg - Sat 3 Oct

It's Pride time in Johannesburg in October.

Joburg Pride is an annual celebration of the lesbian and gay community in Gauteng.

The 1990 Joburg Pride March was the first lesbian and gay pride parade to take place on the African continent. It was organised by the Gay and Lesbian Organisation of the Witwatersrand (GLOW) headed by the late legendary gay rights and anti-apartheid activist Simon Nkoli. Many of the participants wore brown paper bags over their head out of fear for their safety.

The event has taken place every year since then, making the 2009 Joburg Gay Pride Festival the 20th annual Pride event in the city. Today, Joburg Pride is organised by a Section 21 company run by a board of volunteers.

The after-party is the Vawter Fireman's Ball 2009 - best event not to be missed. See the poster on the events panel to the left for booking information.

Hot Joburg

Whilst most of South Africa is starting to get a little cooler, there is still glorious autumn sunshine and here's our Jhb hot bod showing what it's about.

Joberg Pride Screen "Milk" Wed 22 April

Joburg Pride is hosting a sparkling night of cinema on 22 April with a special fund-raising screening of the Oscar-winning film Milk, at Cinema Nouveau, Bedford Centre.

Starring Sean Penn, who won an Academy Award for his portrayal of the title role, the acclaimed film tells the story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to hold public office in the United States. The film also won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.“We find it particularly fitting to host this screening on the night of the National Elections. The film is not only a fantastic piece of entertainment, but is also a tribute to those who are committed to ensuring that we continue to live in a free, fair and democratic society,” says Joburg Pride Co-Chair Zak Mbhele.

Tickets cost R100 per person and include refreshments. Thanks to the generous support of Ster Kinekor, the funds raised from the sale of tickets will go towards putting on the 2009 Joburg Pride Festival in October.“Do your civic duty and vote, and then celebrate your freedom by watching one of the best films of the last year with us,” says an enthusiastic Joburg Pride Co-Chair Tanya Harford. “You’ll not only be doing your bit for Pride, but have a good time doing it.”

The Joburg Pride screening of Milk takes place on Wednesday 22 April at 7.30pm at Cinema Nouveau screened by Fish Eagle, Bedford Centre. To book your exclusive tickets, call Natasha on 076 454 2076 or e-mail info@joburgpride.org .

Hot Bodz in Joburg

Morning Joburg visitors and friends. Here's a little something to start your weekend.

Mr and Miss Gay North-West 25 April

Although not strictly in Johannesburg, this is still an appropriate place to publicise Gay Umbrella, a non-profit organisation working among the gay community of the North West Province. Established in 2007, this organisation is working hard towards serving the needs of lesbians, gays and other sexual minorities.

They will be hosting the first ever Mr & Miss Gay North West Pageant. In the past two years they have tested the waters with the Miss Gay Umbrella and the support was very encouraging. Now the event has been rebranded in line with national trends and so Mr & Miss Gay North West is born.

Categories

There will be three categories in the competition. The first is Mr Gay, where the judges will be looking for the sexiest young man. Miss Gay is for those boys who like to drag, while the Mr Lesbian category is looking for the most handsome lesbian in the province.

Contestants will have to dress in casual wear, swim wear and evening wear.The winners of these three categories will be expected to raise funds for a charity and they will have to work hard during the year to help popularise Gay Umbrella and its activities. They will be entered into other contests and it is hoped that one of them will win a national title. The judges will be made up of a panel consisting of other beauty queens, radio personalities and sponsors.

A special rate on accommodation at a local guest house has been secured and those travelling from afar are welcome to contact the Gay Umbrella office for more details. For the first time ever the focus will also fall on local gay talent as part of the entertainment. Guyz and girlz who can do drag shows, play musical instruments or sing and dance are welcome to come forward to be included in the programme. The organisers are hoping to include this talent search aspect as part of the competition and are currently negotiating prizes with sponsors.

Mr & Miss Gay North West is trying to up its game and several semi-professional and professional artists have already volunteered their services. The popular Ayanda will share MC duties with Brown. The Five Diamonds from Kimberley are making their way to Mafikeng to astound the audience with their show.

The event takes place in the stylish Mmabana Mafikeng Cultural Centre Theatre which can seat around 350 people. Admission is R40 per person and the show is scheduled for 25 April at 19h30. Tickets can be booked by calling the Gay Umbrella Office or they will be available at the door. A bar service will be available and after the pageant the ever popular DJ Smallz will keep the dance floor going until dawn!

Look out for these other events coming up in 2009: Out in Africa Film Festival - 15 & 16 May. Unisa/Gay Umbrella Research Project - June through September. Educational Lekgotla - 17 October. North West Pride - 28 November.

The secretary is Hendrik Baird and he can be reached on cell 083-698-7998. Alternatively contact can be made with the Chairperson, Mildred Maropefela, on cell 073-157-1791. More information will be available on http://gaymaf.blogspot.com and e-mails can be sent to hennieb@ananzi.co.za.

Elections and Erections

ELECTIONS & ERECTIONS is a personal journey through the minefield of fear and fun on the eve of South Africa’s most crucial general election.

Pieter Dirk Uys celebrates the two issues that were illegal for most of his life in South Africa: democracy and sex.

This performance shows at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from Tue 17 Feb to Sat 28 Feb. Shows take place from Tuesday to Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm with extra 5pm shows on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets, available from Computicket, are R80 for the preview on February 17 and otherwise range from R90 to R120.

This performance shows at the Nelson Mandela Theatre stage of The Joburg Civic Theatre from March 3rd until March 15th 2009. All tickets are R150

Gay Pride Film Fest 6-8 March 09

It’s the Out In Africa Pride Film Festival on at Nu Metro Monte Casino from the 6th to the 8th March 2009.

Here is the schedule of movies and a short synopsis of each:

Fri 6th 18:45 pm The Amazing Truth about Queen Raquela

20:30 pm I Can’t Think Straight

22:00 pm Otto; or Up With Dead People

Sat 7th 16:00 pm The Marching Season

17:30 pm The Amazing Truth about Queen Raquela

19:15 pm Mulligans

21:00 pm Otto; or Up With Dead People

Sun 8th 18:00 pm Mulligans

20:00 pm I Can’t Think Straight

The Marching Season

Dir: Grace Chapman, Emma Jones

UK 2008 60min

In 2006, in the new and supposedly democratic EU state of Latvia, the Gay Pride parade was banned. In 2007, the organisers persevere and this ‘fly-on-the-wall’ documentary charts the events surrounding Latvia’s first officially sanctioned Latvian Gay Pride parade in Riga. This fascinating exposé reveals how members of the LGBT group Mozaika organise the event despite escalating threats from religious fundamentalists and the curiously-named neo-Nazi homophobic ‘No pride’ organisation. The film juxtaposes the Riga parade with coverage of the 2007 London Pride drawing parallels with the fight for LGBT rights in 60’s and 70’s Britain. The Marching Season is an absorbing insight into a country where a chilling Soviet-era mind–set still permeates, and a timely reminder of the reasons why we march.

The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela

Dir: Olaf de Fleur Johannesson

Iceland 2007 80min

Based on the real life of Filipino transsexual prostitute Raquela Rios, this winner of the prestigious Teddy Award (Berlinale 2008) is part documentary, part fantasy, often filled with wry humour, always telling. Playing herself, Raquela introduces elements of her life inter-woven with fiction. She spends her days working as a prostitute and dreaming of meeting Prince Charming. The Prince, of course, will sweep her off her feet to Paris and a life of luxury. Just to make sure that the Prince is virtually out there, Raquela trawls the Internet for suitable candidates, and lands the job as a webcam host on a transsexual porn site. Michael, the owner of the website, pays for Raquela to go Iceland to stay with her transsexual internet friend Valerie, and then meets her in Paris. But is Michael a Prince or a Toad?

Otto; or Up With Dead People

Dir: Bruce LaBruce

Germany / Canada 2008 94min

From the lens of cult Canadian filmmaker Bruce LaBruce (Super 8½, Hustler White, The Raspberry Reich) comes a ridiculously ironic, low-budget film. As ever, La Bruce questions the divides of art, life and porn, and throws in some irreverent tongue-in-cheek references to sex, violence, Marxism, Capitalist consumerism, suicide, and AIDS.

This gay Zombie "film within a film" features Otto, a newly undead zombie who stumbles woodenly around Berlin seeking meaning for his un-life. He meets up with Medea, a melancholic director who casts him in her political shlockumentary which reveals the burgeoning "plague’ of homosexual zombies growing in the city. The characters of Otto and Medea are hilarious and Medea’s girlfriend Hella, a black and white flickering silent movie character is a wonderfully witty touch.

Mulligans

Dir: Chip Hale

Canada 2008 92min

A Mulligan, in golfing terminology, allows a player a second chance to perform a certain move or action. Golf fanatic Tyler Davidson comes home for his college vacation with his new best friend Chase in tow. His family welcomes Chase into their summer routine - playing golf, having barbeques, going to parties and hanging out at the beach in their charming small American town. Chase eventually decides to come out to Tyler and this revelation sparks off a series of events that make for a shockingly different summer than the one Tyler envisioned for himself and his family, particularly his father.Beautifully-shot and filled with gorgeous sun-drenched scenes, the film thoughtfully and sensitively explores issues around friendship and love and acceptance of others and oneself.

Awards:

Q Cinema Film Festival – Fort Worth, Texas – Audience Award

Q Cinema Film Festival – Fort Worth, Texas – Best Film

Pittsburgh International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival – Audience Award

I Can't Think Straight

Dir: Shamim Sarif

UK 2007 80min

From the Indian/South African director and writer of World Unseen comes a light cross-religious lesbian romantic comedy with a twist of cultural conflict. At the party for her fourth engagement, London-based Jordanian-Christian Tala meets Leyla, the guarded Indian-Muslim girlfriend of Tala’s friend Ali. Despite the thin veil of social propriety, chemistry sparks between them. However, the girl’s mutual naiveté and emotional confusion ensures that it remains unacknowledged by either until they meet for the weekend in Oxford. The approaching wedding and descending relations throw a spanner in the fledgling romance, and they must separately face up to the weight of their cultural, religious and parental expectations – especially those of their dragon mothers.

Face of the city

Here's a fresh face and hot bod to grace our pages for February. Nice one!!

Valentine's in Joburg

Johannesurg seems the city to be this Valentines' Day with parties galore. Little seems to be happening or well publicised in our other major cities. Check out the links on the side-blog for the big happenings... but otherwise, just cuddle and enjoy your loved one on this the most romantic day of the year, albeit over commercialised and traded!!

New Club opens Boksburg

Catering for the east of Johannesburg crowd, the popular Risque club in Bryanston is now opening a branch in Boksburg.

According to the owners - "RISQUE is now ready for all you guys and girls in the east. Risque Boksburg will open on the 7th of March.The address is Venter Center, C/N Rietfontein and North Rand Rd Boksburg. This will be the event of the year. Hot hot topless barmen to entertain you all night long.This venue is said to be the best in the east. Dancers all over for you to feast your eyes. Loads of parking. There will be a shooter bar for all the V.I.P’S and all the guests of Wickes and Bruce. If you have a Risque v.i.p.card bring it for some free shooters. Risque will strive to give you the best music and party that you can have. Entry will be R20.00 before 10.30 and R40.00 all night after that.More info - Risque Lounge ": Bruce.

Happy Holidays

The holidays are here and the count-down to Christmas and New Year has begun. If you are visiting Johannesburg, a very gay welcome to you. Enjoy the action-packed season and gay Club events and parties lined up. Check the side-blog for the up-to-date party details. May there be a Christmas Angel waiting for you too.

Christmas in the Hay

Wishing all of our Johannesburg visitors Merry Christmas, a "hot" festive season, and much fun in the hay!!

New Events side-blog

If you take a look to the left, on the side-blog, you will see a new way to display Johannesburg events - fust click on the logo and you will be taken to the details screen. Older events will be deleted and new ones added regularly.

Networking in Johannesburg

It's been an exciting time for networking in South Africa the past week - a new Gay Directory South Africa was established on Facebook... a new way to network and cross-link websites, blogs and Facebook groups in Johannesburg and across the country.

If you click on the link a whole new dimension opens up and lets people across the world find gay groups, businesses and websites quickly. If you are reading this story, please spread the word and become a regular reader of this blog and the linked Facebook groups. Collectively we'll keep you up to speed on Gay happenings in South Africa. Dave

January Pool Party

Join the Wild Boyz for a cool summer Pool Party this January 2009. It's the 3rd annual such event hosted by the Facebook Group the Gay Mafia. It takes place at the Otter Pool, Randburg.

If you want more details, just click on the link to the event here - the cost is R100 per head for a spit braai with profits going to the SPCA.

New Gay bar for Pretoria - Detour

Pretoria is up and coming and posing a challenge as the new Gay capital of South Africa with yet another gay bar set to open in November.

You are all invited to the opening on Sun 2 November at Moreleta Centre, 680 Rubenstein Ave, Moreleta Park. It promises to be a 5-star gay lounge and bar. They have their own website as well as a Facebook group you can join. Impressive lead Pretiria - hopefully others will follow!!

Brief Man Party

Oh! is the place to be on Thursday this week for their Boxers, Briefs and Men Party... more men less boxers please. Click on the link to check out the Facebook event.

Joburg Gay Pride 2008

Joburg Pride 2008 takes to the streets of Johannesburg in October with the colourful float parade on Saturday 4th October at Zoo Lake. The theme for the 2008 festival is Love, Not Hate and this message will be central to all of the festivities. More information can be obtained from their website and Facebook group.

Mucical hits Johannesburg 12 Sep- 12 Oct

The musical adaptation of the record-breaking box office hit movie, The Full Monty, will run at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre from 12th September - 12th October 2008.

The Cape Town run of the show was highly acclaimed.

The South African cast features Steven Hicks, Tiaan Rautenbach, Mike Huff, Clinton Hawkes, Shaun Murphy and Thokozani Nzima. Bookings are through Computicket and more info can be seen on the website. Tickets from R190,00.

Detour - new Pretoria bar

It's always great to hear of a new gay facility opening, and we are thrilled to announce the opening soon of Detour, a new gay Bar and Lounge in Pretoria.

Detour is a brand new 5 star gay bar and lounge in the East of Pretoria. A unique venue for gay guys and girls with exclusive entertainment and shows. I am sure this is the answer to many prayers for something really special and extraordinary! FOR MORE INFO Call 072 4972500 .
Address: Shop no 4A Moreleta Park Sentrum, 680 Rubenstein Rd. Dood luck guys!!

Johannesburg Out In Africa Film Festival

Here is the link to the website for the Out In Africa South African Gay & Lesbian Film Festival which kicks off in Johannesburg from the 4th - 14 September 2008 at the Killarney Mall. Check it out for news, reviews and titbits about everything, from this year's queer films, arts and culture, health, or just about anything that catches their eye.

New Gay website - Gay Share

South Africa's Andy Wicks has just launched his new website aimed at the gay market. GayShare is an excellent site themed to Work, Live and Play gay in South Africa. It's an opportunity for gay business owners and event organisers in Johannesburg and the rest of the country to market themselves to the exclusively gay community online. Well done Andy and your team for an excellent new addition to our community internet and business needs.

Desert Safari anyone?

There are no deserts in Johannesburg, but I had to share this hot pic with you. Enough to make anyone want to go on a desert safari!

QC Birthday bash

Hey, it's the Queer City Birthday Bash on Friday 6th June and you can win a month free use of a Peugeot 207cc convertible from Peugeot Fourways. SMS Queer + your name to 36112 to enter and be at the QC Birthday Bash.

Mr and Miss Gay SA 31 May

Pretoria is the venue this month end for the Mr and Miss Gay South Africa International finals. Here is Werner Strydom from Pretoria one of the finalists. Before and after the show and pageant you will be able to join the crowd on the dance floor to the cool sounds of one of South Africa's top DJs Hennie Blom and party until sunrise.

There will also be a special appearance by Mr Gay South Africa 2007, Mr Community, Mr Cool Smile, Mr Jeans, Mr Personality, Mr Speedo, Couple of the Year and Drag Queen of the year.

The extravaganza will be held at the Portuguese Hall and tickets may be booked through StrictlyTickets.com or TicketBitch.co.za.

Risque1st Birthday

Come and celebrate Risque's 1st birthday on Fri 30th May. There will be loads of prizes from Smirnoff Spin and Cameroon with top DJs. It's going to be a jol.

It's a SEXtravaganza at Therapy

THERAPY is the place to be this Saturday for their SEXTRAVAGANZA, Saturday May 24th.

Get your Freak on with special Guest,Dj Ricardo Da Costa Alongside the Therapy resident Djs,Stuart Hillary, Rude Rory, Groovy Q and Bren. Doors open @ 9pmFree Entry Before 10pm R60 after 10pm.

Indaba success

Meet Eddy Rust of Johannesburg, marketing guru of Mhondoro Lodge, in Durban for the Indaba Conference - Africa's largest tourism conference. Eddy also collected the lodge's runner-up award in Good Safari Guides "Best Food and new Lodge" category. Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo province were well represented at the Conference.

Camp David's the place..

Danie (left) and Anton (seated) are Pretoria's Camp David Nude Bar owners and driving force. Says Anton "It's a Nude Cruise Bar for Adult Gay Men. Meet in the flesh. Why wait for fun to come to you? Come and hang out with us right now.Welcome to the ultimate cruising experience". And what to expect when you arrive? "Take your clothes off and enjoy a drink, or if you're shy, have a drink before you come. The next time you won't need to as the atmosphere is relaxing and not at all intimidating. " Also in the photo with the owners is Cobus.