The Truth about The Gayest Bus Tour, Gay Flag of South Africa and Joburg Pride

The Truth is not since my tours with House of the Holy Afro have I been on a more crazy, most rewarding and enlightening adventure.

The Adventures of Primrose, Queen of the Karoo - The Bus Bitches

3 Drag Queens, a Dancing Twink, 2 Pekingese Mutts, 1 Lesbian (German) Videographer, 1 Narcissistic (German) Porn Star Angel, 1 Fashionista Radio Presenter, A Typical Joburg Dainfern Beefcake, 2 Flag Boys, A Badly Drawn (Beeno Style) Accountant, 1 Flapping Congolese "Refugee" and the "Straight"photographer is a Recipe for Disaster, Dementia, Deviancy, Determination and Domination ( take that anyway you please).

Bernadette "lola fine", Felicia "odidiva", Mitzi/Tick "genevieve le  coq"

Lola Fine "The Most Photographed Drag Queen in Africa" never shuts up. Verbal Diarrhoea doesn't quite encapsulate the river of put downs, snide remarks, witty quips and plain drivel that flows out her mouth on a constant basis.

Odidiva to Genevieve Le Coq on seeing her Chanel inspired suit for an interview with Ofm (Bloemfontein):   Aaah, shame sana that's so Coco Chanel 

Lola Fine:  That polyester thing! She got it from the Salvation Army

On another occasion Lola Fine is found bitching with a bottle of JimmyJagga

Lola Fine:  My Dear, those Mildred Queens must have taken my tits I've lost my tits

Odidiva:  Thats what you get for getting off you tits

NikNak/ Adonis/ ElectroLox

Thabo Gabose aka Adonis, or rather ElectroLox or fondly referred to by the Bus Bitches as NikNak. Turned from sweet ingenue wanting to join the voguing dance troupe VINTAGE, into a pouting, finger snapping - head rolling diva, defining everything as "grotesque".  By the time we were in Gauteng heading to Soweto Pride, Flag Boys Henry "Pashasha" and "Huge"Eugene couldn't believe the monster their bus had created.
Eugene to Odidiva : What happened to that kid? He's got so much attitude, but he only listens to you
I am sure by the end  everyone wanted to NikNak and Paddy Whack him. Thing is NikNak is very good at his self-taught urban dancing and whenever he was aptly utilised, he knocked it out the ball park.

The Gay Flag of South Africa Gayest Bus Tour sponsored by Budget Rental was a resounding success. If Unity in Diversity was the theme of the tour instead of "I AM AFRICAN" it would have hit every mark.  To house such a cross section of South African Gaydom manage to get through 14 days on the road without  any major fallout, is testament to the strong message emanating from the Flag Boys about social justice and the tradition of advocacy.

The work and schedule was relentless, we had to tweet, blog , facebook, bbm, dress in drag from dawn to dusk while constantly under the watchful eyes of Damian the photographer and Karina the videographer. One was more constant than the other, but both shared a deep passion and love for the project working tirelessly.
Damian was like a fly on good shit constantly buzzing around  lulling us into a false sense of comfort while he caught us at our most unaware, vulnerable and rabble rousing intense.
It must be said that the results of his work is some of the most visually striking images of our journey capturing the zeitgeist of The Adventures of Primrose, Queen of the Karoo.

At Ofm before the shit hit the fan at Mimosa Mall

The Adventures of Primrose, Queen of the Karoo was christened by Genevieve Le Coq, the clever bitch who started off as Gay Flag of SA Ambassador, Tour Manager, Event Organiser and Stage Manager, but was defeated by the demanding schedule of appearances, blogging tweeting etc, interviews and performances. This pressure strained the close relationship Miss Le Coq has enjoyed over the years with The Flag Boys. A system of communication, attention to detail regarding the care given to the Bus participants were obstacles not really attended to. Once things got hectic, people began to question how much thought had been put to caring for the persons who actually made The Gayest Bus Tour what it was.
This was resolved by Odidiva, I , speaking my mind about this situation and Eugene finding general consensus with all on the bus. But in the end more could've have been done as promises of VVIP treatment in some cases were not met.

Odidiva gets run over buy an ambulance in Beaufort West

But I think if it wasn't for the gruelling March (not Parade) of Soweto Pride we would not have been so aware of what a significant journey we were partaking in. Yes, Constitutional Hill with the esteemed Gay Freedom Fighter, Judge Edwin Cameron as our guide was truly a special moment, where we learnt a great deal about our Human Rights and the contribution of the LGBTI community to establishing our democracy. Tears of pride were shed for those that came before us and laid down their lives and sacrificed so much for us to be.
Yet, when this motley crue of the Gay Flag of SA Bus Tour in all its Over The Top regalia suddenly found itself in a protest pilgrimage for LGBTI members being murdered, tortured, raped and beaten on an almost daily basis, something truly began to change and emerge. 
We'd begun this tour with us leading the KOFSI, the LGBTI Youth Club of the University of the Free State, through its main campus and student union on their own Pride March. This resonated with us all, especially Genevieve Le Coq who'd been a victim and left the University because of gaybashing. We were received by the Office of the  Dean of The University of the Free State. We implored him to put action to the policies of tolerance and engagement with the LGBTI students. True to for the students were all of African origin with none of the white students in attendance. That night we performed at our FAGulously welcoming and Afro-chic accommodation Emoya and all the whities came out to play from the city and the campus.

Odidiva just Got Fried

The after party of our Emoya performance was magical a multiracial, multicultural pot pourri of fun with everyone wanting a piece of each other or a drink and dance with another. Of coarse our Bloemfontein visit would not be without incident as earlier that day after our march and our interview with Ofm we were accosted by the security of Mimosa Mall. This episode is well documented, gossiped and bitched about. Needless to say Gay Flag of South Africa Gayest Bus Tour left the Free State with Winged Victory.

Discussing serious issues at Out Pretoria

We arrived in Jozi to an outstandingly warm welcome. Genevieve Le Coq had been clever enough to organize two fundraising events featuring herself  Odidiva, Lola Fine and Adonis. Dragvagazna at the super stylish n chic Melon restaurant, Bitchy Bingo at Ratz, an appearance at Provocative and a private event called Stella R at the grand old Rand Club.
For our stay in Johannesburg the Gay Mafia of Mellville colluded to accommodate us in 12 Stars Apartments, Johannesburg on 7th Guesthouse and Satori Guest House all on Melville's infamous 7th Street and a stone's throw from Ratz and Melon. The accommodation was just exquisite and luxurious.

No sooner had we put our bags down and we were off to our first engagement in Linksfield at a club night called Provocative. Provocative is a throw back to 90's rave clubs with a generous splashing of Die Antwoord "Trailer Park Trash". Surprisingly enough we all managed to have a fantastic time and really enjoyed the warm hospitality and possibly the best sound system I'd heard in a club in ages (take note Crew Bar). The DJ's kept us dancing and after performances by NikNak and Odidiva the vibe became feverish.

The Fagulous Boys of Provocative

Some of the Gayest Bus Tour with the Flag Boys and Who?

The following night was the Grand Opening of Beefcakes in Illovo where Odidiva was due to make her much hyped solo performance Joburg debut. The opening was a resounding success thanks to the warmth and generosity of Beefcakes Joburg clientele and staff. The venue is bigger and better and right next door to Babylon Bar, which means a night out at Beefcakes just keeps getting better.

The Diva in Full Voice - The Grand Opening of Beefcakes Jozi

From there we rushed to the fiasco that was the Secret Circle party. Secret Circle gave one of the impression of what Andy Warhol's parties in his The Factory would have been like chaotic, funtastic, sexy and posy.  The whose who of Joburg's hipster arts and entertainment industry was in attendance having a great time. While the acts had to contend with cacophonous acoustics and non-existent stage management. Justin our "I have a stalker" Fashionista couldn't wait to get out of there after experiencing the "crack den of a VIP room" (his words not mine).

Channelling Tina Turner n Miriam Makeba -Secret Circle

One of our fagulous hosts Johann then telephoned Lola Fine on our way home to invite us for a bit of a "Patsy" at Ratz.

Picture the scene in Priscilla Queen of the Desert where the drag queens take over a small town bar and turn it into a night of madness. And then times it by 10. Miss Lola Fine, Genevieve Le Coq and Odidiva hit Ratz like Absolutley Fabulous. By the end Le Coq and Diva had the room doing the sakkie-sakkie to Kurt Darren's Kaptein (with Genevieve leading of coarse), before we broke into an impromptu "lip synch for your life" show of CeCe Peniston's anthem FINALLY. For the rest of the weekend and the following week we were the talk of Johannesburg.

"Finally its happened to me!" -  Ratz Madness

Our arrival for the  Rand Club event caught the the staff and the patrons by surprise. By the end we had them dancing on tables to Proud Mary and Rihanna's Where Have You Been But nothing will ever get the sight of Ivo Leo in full Angel  Winged Regalia dancing on a table in the middle of The Rand Club, an iconic image of fallen grace.

The Rand Club will never be the same

The Melon Dragvaganza dinner was one of our highlights as it came off with professional slickness, Along with our interview on 5fm with DJ Fresh and Poppy. As was Bitchy Bingo hosted with the frisky perkiness of a Jewish Energizer Bunny by Lola fine. The months of preparation and hard work of The Flag Boys and Genevieve was paying off.

Damian takes an iconic picture at Melon Dragvaganza

Back to Soweto Pride lets just say it was most people's first visit to the sprawling Capital township of South Africa. Even Leon from Dainfern a Joburg native, had never been even to the world famous Vilakazi street where two Nobel Peace Prize Laureates have homes. On our march we stopped periodically to commemorate deceased members of the LGBTI community by laying life sized puppets of the dead in the purple T-shirts of 1in9. As the number of murdered increased members of the march lay down too until we reached 18 person laying on the ground on the corner of Jabavu Rd in front of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and the St Paul's Anglican Church. Here we all came round with our flags and banners, with Gay Flag of South Africa laying its flag on the ground with the dead. We all held a moment of silence for the truelly vulnerable in our LGBTI Community.
By reacting so violently and angrily to 1in9's  attempt to do the same during the Parade (not March) on 6 October, Joburg Pride revealed its true colours. Not the colours of Judge Edwin Cameron, Zackie Achmat, Bev Ditsie, Simon Nkoli, Jack Lewis et al but the colours that showed no compassion to those who live on the very edge of violence, hate crimes and murder, because they dare to "parade" themselves honestly and truthfully.

Eugene encapsulates all our emotions standing next to a bastion of the LGBTI community

It costs organisations and individuals  money to participate in Joburg Pride whether they are gay, straight, multinational corporations  or non-profit organisations. Even Beefcakes Cape Town's premier gay owned and gay themed restaurant was proposed an exorbitant fee to "activate"at Joburg Pride which they could not afford. And no compromise could be reached. LGBTI Community performing artists, drag artists and musicians were overlooked in preference for mainstream heterosexual acts. Looking at this event it could have been any other music festival like Rocking The Daisies or H2O. Only in order to draw the thousands of paying customers one needs not to advertise extensively but simply call it an institutionalised Cause Celebre for a major minority group. Sounds a bit cynical and mean spirited doesn't it? (maybe I am laying it on too thick)
I  do applaud the organisers of Joburg Pride for putting on a brilliant and professional event year after year, its world class. There was also a major Twin Pride happening in the rest of the park that was equally fun and satisfying.  It happens every year. The Twin Cities the separate celebrations of Johannesburg Pride. Strange how its those who cannot afford to pay entrance fee, buy booze and food at exorbitant prices, that are always victimized, murdered and raped.

Maybe next year we can begin Pride in Newtown, march over Nelson Mandela Bridge to Zoo Lake. This would help to take it away from just a suburban jamboree and give it a truly Johannesburg visual and spiritual identity. Maybe next year some of Joburg Pride will head to Soweto Pride bridging the gap, showing real leadership, support, affinity and reconciliation after this year's embarrassing violence.

The video of LGBT Activists Disrupt Joburg Pride Parade:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnxip-T_Hnw

The The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development handed out mugs with its crest and name saying: LGBTI Rights are Human Rights at the Zoo Lake Sports Club. Only thing was those who needed the government were outside the gates and in Soweto Pride mourning their loved ones still waiting for justice.

One of our last stops on the Gayest Bus Tour was to a small HIV Support Group associated to OUT in Pretoria (another NGO we visited n supported), called SOHACA on the famous Vilakazi Street in Soweto. This small NGO works tirelessly for our LGBTI community creating awareness, tolerance and acceptance, continuing the great work of advocacy. The whole staff came to receive our short visit. They were so honoured to be appreciated for their great work as we were humbled by SOHACA.

PRIDE - A Deeper Love

So when I put my name forward for the Gay Flag Bus Tour of South Africa Gayest Bus Tour sponsored by Budget Car Rental in 2013, understand I do so proudly. This was not a party with a purpose but a Pilgrimage of Advocacy.
AMANDLA! AWETHU!
ALUTA CONTINUA