All the pride of being LGBTQI+

Queer love takes to the streets

QUEER couples say they are still facing challenges despite being in a new era. Cape Town Pride will be taking place today under the theme “True To You – Be Who You Are”. It’s 23 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in South Africa, and 11 years since South Africa voted to legalise same-sex marriage, giving same-sex couples the same legal rights as straight ones.

Andrew Murphy and Matt Pike have been together for five years.

“We met through mutual friends but not like at a party. It was more like: ‘I have a number for you, message this person’ and it all went from there after we organised a date,” Murphy said. The couple own a popular trendy coffee shop in Walmer Estate called the Hot Milk Coffee shop.

“When we started dating we spent so much time in other people’s coffee shops discussing business ideas and how we can work together, and it just hit us. That’s how the whole idea was born,” Murphy said.

As an interracial couple, Murphy said they were still stared at when out in public. “We’re really fortunate for the pioneers who fought a way for us in society but Matt and I still get some stares. It just adds more spice,” he said.

Jaque le Roux and Lindo Hiki have been together for a year and said the labelling of same-sex couples had become almost a norm.

“People can’t end up being who they are, and sadly this can lead to depression and a high suicidal rate,” Le Roux said. Both he and Hiki are in the medical profession.

“We understand the working fields we both are in. We’re also both loving and caring to people from all walks of life,” Le Roux said.

Kelly-Eve Koopman and Sarah Summers said there was a lack of understanding of trans and non-binary people even within the community. Koopman and Summers have been together since 2014.

“We met at Pride. I saw Beaulah (beautiful) standing against the wall and walked up to her, got on to my knee and asked her to dance.

“She very politely declined, but she invited me on Facebook! We were friends for two years before we dated. I played a long game,” Summers said.

The Muizenberg duo made waves in 2017 on social media after posting a six-part web series exploring coloured identity on their Facebook page Coloured Mentality.

Today’s Pride Parade will start at midday in Chiappinni Street in De Waterkant and move towards Reddam Field at the Green Point Urban Park.

At the Urban Park, the crowd will be entertained by top local and international artists and bands.

ANDREW MURPHY AND MATT PIKE