Hundreds of people have attended Swaziland’s first gay Pride march.
It is estimated 500 people gathered to walk in Mbabane, the country’s largest city, and wave the rainbow flag proudly.
The king of Swaziland announced in April that the country would be renamed eSwatini to mark 50 years since independence from British rule.
US Ambassador to eSwantini,told AFP: “We are thrilled to see this happening today.”
Male homosexuality is outlawed in Afrifa’s last absolute monarchy, ruled by King Mswati III who in the past is reported to have described homosexuality as “satanic.”
Government official Percy Simelane has denied the state had an anti-homosexual stance and said “it would be unfair to view the state as homophobic.”
He told AFP: “If they ask why are we not legalising it, we tell them it is not the mandate of government but it must be the people of eSwatini to do that, not government.”
The march, on Sunday, June 30, was the first one to take place in Swaziland, and saw people donning shirts that read “God is love”.
Lisa Peterson added: “Some are afraid to come into the open because they are afraid of these acts of injustice. We are here to make justice for all.”
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