Johannesburg Pride 2010 Focuses On Anti-Gay Discrimination Across Africa

South Africa, the only nation on the continent with full LGBT equality, celebrated gay pride this weekend in Johannesburg with a march meant to draw attention to persecuted gays across Africa.

Organisers said more than 18,000 people took part in the protest in the economic capital of South Africa, the only country in the continent which allows same-sex marriages. On one float, a transvestite dressed as an angel sat on a swing on a giant map of Africa which carried the slogan "We are all African!", the theme of the 21st edition of "Joburg Pride". "We are aware of the fact that LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people across Africa are being arrested, their human rights are under threat and it's a growing phenomenon on the continent," said organiser Luiz de Barros. "South Africa having an enlightened constitution, we have a responsibility to reach out to our brothers and sisters in Africa," he said.

In 38 of 53 African nations, homosexuality is against the law.