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GEORGE NEWS - Despite the cold wind, the first Gay Pride parade held yesterday (Tuesday 19 June) in George proved to be a warm-hearted event with lots of spontaneous cheering, dancing and singing led by the Heidedal Primary Schools drum majorettes and Pacaltsdorp UCC Boys Band.
The United States choir and gay rights group, the Boston Gay Choir, said the heartening support made it worth their while to travel halfway around the world to be part of the event.
Last-minute changes were made in the arrangements due to court being in session and law stipulating that no gatherings are allowed within 100m of the court buildings at such times.
This, however, could not obliterate the embracing messages given by Sean Snyman, DA councillor for Community and Social Development, and Deputy Mayor Charlotte Clark, both of who made an impassioned plea for the George community to take a conciliatory approach towards their gay compatriots.
The singing of Shosholoza caused great cheer among the 100 supporters who gathered around the Civic Centre's fountains off York Street, where deep-felt words of encouragement were spoken to the local gay community and the American visitors.
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Snyman quoted the 13th-century Islamic poet Rumi: "Listen with ears of tolerance, see through the eyes of compassion and speak with the language of love."
Snyman said that his own stance had deepened when his lesbian daughter expressed her deepest fears of being rejected by her father. "I would like to make a plea to our communities - let us work towards a more tolerant society because tolerance does not mean acceptance or sacrificing our own values and principles, but rather the willingness to co-exist with others whose values and principles differ from our own."
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