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Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality said it was proud to be flying one of the world's largest Pride flags on Donkin Hill in the Central Business District.

The Gay Pride flag was hoisted on Wednesday and flutters beneath the world's largest South African flag on the Donkin Reserve.

“June is celebrated internationally as Pride month. Many of the great cities of the world have, for some years, been vocally and visibly supporting Pride,” said NMB spokesperson, Mthubanzi Mniki.

“Pride flags fly at government institutions in major cities, from Toronto to Dublin to Istanbul to Moscow. This year, Nelson Mandela Bay officially adds its voice to governments committing, firstly, to recognizing the LGBTQ community, and most importantly, to uphold the rights of the LGBTQ community,” he said.

Mniki said the Tshwane local government also displayed the Pride flag outside its city hall on Human Rights Day earlier this year.

“We acknowledge that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, Two-Spirited communities and Allies (LGBTTIQQ2SA) often feel understandably sidelined. We acknowledge, too, that open and often vicious prejudice is still displayed towards members of these communities,” Mniki said.

He said it was important for the Nelson Mandela Bay government to live up to its promise of freedom and fairness for all its diverse communities.

“The city government's brand promise of One City, One Future speaks of inclusivity - of all communities of the Metro forming integral and important parts of the City whole,” he said.

The task of the city is to provide an institution that will always strive to uphold the rights of all of its communities.

“Today, as the colourful Pride flag flies on the Donkin, we make that commitment, particularly to our LGBTQ community,” Mniki added.

(Image: MambaOnline)