Cape Town to host WorldPride 2028

Cape Town garnered enough votes to host WorldPride in 2028.

The bidding process, beginning in late October, was held in Medellín, Colombia, where teams from Guadalajara (Mexico) Pride and WorldPride Cape Town vied for the hosting rights. InterPride, the event’s organiser, officially announced Cape Town as the host for WorldPride 2028, according to ‘Washington Blade’.

This will mark the first time WorldPride is hosted in an African nation.

South Africa stands as the sole country in Africa with constitutional recognition of LGBTQ+ rights. Consequently, it has seen an increase in LGBTQ+ asylum seekers from both Africa and elsewhere in recent years.

Responding to this historic milestone, Cape Town Pride expressed that it was Africa’s time to shine, acknowledging the efforts of the WorldPride Cape Town bidding team and the city’s involvement in the process.

“This is a first for the whole continent of Africa,” stated Cape Town Pride CEO Tommy Patterson. “A few weeks ago, in Medellín, Cape Town Pride, the city, and the bidding team presented our bid. The team did a wonderful job and we all forged great friendships and allies from Pride groups all over the globe.”

Patterson also expressed excitement over the global support for Cape Town Pride.

Michael Gladwin of the WorldPride Cape Town bidding team shared in the enthusiasm.

“This will mark the first time WorldPride is held on the African continent, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome the global LGBTQ+ community to our beautiful city,” Gladwin remarked. “A heartfelt thank you goes out to all our incredible partners who supported this journey. Together, we will showcase Cape Town as a beacon of inclusivity and diversity.”

Gladwin also praised Guadalajara Pride for their efforts.

“Their commitment in promoting LGBTQ+ rights is inspiring, and we look forward to collaborating in the future,” Gladwin mentioned.

While Cape Town’s LGBTQ+ community is celebrating the successful bid, it has faced criticism from some city residents.

Rev. Oscar Bougardt, the founder and lead pastor of Calvary Hope Baptist Church, denounced WorldPride as “garbage” and “filth” that should be opposed.

“I am happy to say I am amongst the pastors in Cape Town who are in opposition and are outraged at this garbage planned for 2028,” stated Bougardt. “The city of Cape Town and LGBTQ+ organizations planned this event without consulting rate payers, this bid was done in secret and taxpayers’ money will be used to fund this filth.”

“Just as the LGBTQ+ organizations have the right to host WorldPride 2028, we have the right to say we don’t want it in Cape Town,” he continued. “I pray more church leaders will stand up against the planned WorldPride 2028. To church leaders and parents, this is the time to unite and tell the city of Cape Town and LGBTQ+ organizations that we are disgusted at the planned event. United we stand and divided we will fall!”

Kaohsiung, Taiwan, secured the bid for WorldPride 2025, but the local committee later withdrew due to a dispute with InterPride. Consequently, WorldPride 2025 will be held in D.C. from May 17 to June 8, 2025.

The 2024 ILGA World Conference was hosted in Cape Town last month.