Palapye gears up for second annual Pride march
staff writer | Tuesday November 3, 2026 09:46
Scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2026, the Pride march according organizers will be a bold demonstration of visibility, dignity and the fight against discrimination. The event will bring together members of the queer community and their allies under the theme, “Our visibility, our dignity, our joy”. The march is expected to provide a platform for the LGBTIQ community to assert its place in society, challenge deeply rooted stigma and advocate for greater understanding and acceptance.
Organisers say the initiative is more than just a colourful celebration, describing it as an important movement aimed at ensuring that queer people are recognised as equal members of society who deserve respect, dignity and freedom from discrimination. 'Palapye’s 2nd Annual Pride is about visibility, taking up space, and affirming that LGBTIQ people are part of the communities we call home,' the organisers said in a statement announcing the event.
They emphasised that the march seeks to create opportunities for meaningful conversations around sexual orientation, gender identity and the challenges faced by queer people in their everyday lives. 'We create opportunities for awareness-raising and conversations that challenge stigma, shift mindsets, and build greater understanding and acceptance,' the statement reads. The event comes against the backdrop of continuing debates around LGBTIQ rights in Botswana, where questions of equality, social acceptance and legal recognition remain prominent.
Although Botswana achieved a landmark legal victory in 2019 when the High Court struck down laws criminalising consensual same-sex sexual conduct, subsequently upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2021, members of the queer community continue to advocate for broader social acceptance and protection against discrimination.
The organisers maintain that nobody should be forced to conceal their identity or live in fear of rejection simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. 'At its heart, this is about the right to live with dignity, free from discrimination. Same-sex relationships should not be criminalised, and no one should have to hide who they are to belong,' they stated.
What makes this year's Pride particularly significant is that the event is being organised by members of the queer community themselves, without dedicated financial support. Despite the absence of funding, organisers say they remain determined to build a strong and united movement capable of advancing the rights and interests of LGBTIQ people, particularly outside the country's major urban centres.
'This Pride is organised by Queer people in our community, for our community, without dedicated funding. It is an expression of our collective determination to build movements, strengthen our communities, and create spaces where we can exist, connect, and celebrate freely,' the organisers said. The Pride march is scheduled to begin at 8am, although organisers are yet to announce the assembly point. Following the march, participants will gather at Purple Moon Restaurant in Extension 1 for a celebration of queer joy, with gates opening at noon.
The celebrations are intended to provide a welcoming environment where members of the community and their supporters can connect, express themselves freely and celebrate their identities. Organisers have extended an invitation to members of the public to join the activities in solidarity with the queer community, stressing that building an inclusive society requires collective effort.
'Come march with us, celebrate with us, and stand with Queer people in Palapye. Let’s build a community where everyone belongs and everyone’s dignity is respected,' the statement reads.