Queertopia: A space where the LGBTI+ community can feel at home

JOHANNESBURG - The second Queertopia festival, hosted by the Jägermeister Night Embassy in partnership with Other Village People (OVP) is back like it never left come 10 and 11 December 2022 at the Victoria Yards.

“We want the community to experience a sense of euphoria while checking into Queertopia. We want them to know that Jägermeister Night Embassy and Other Village People were intentional when creating a world where they can be in the warm embrace of community, dance how they want, have a good time and fully express themselves,” said Mpumi Mayisa from Jagermeister Night Embassy.

OVP by Andiswa Dlamini (she/her) and Kefiloe Siwisa (she/her) creates experiences for LGBTQIA+ communities to feel liberated and be authentically themselves.

It also allows the members of the LGBTQIA+ communities to connect, celebrate and find their tribes.

“Our focus as an organisation is not about whether or not we are accepted by society. If the narrative remains focused on where we are not accepted or where we have to work to be accepted then we fail to address some real needs in our communities,” said OVP to Eyewitness News.

Founded in 2016, Other Village People has two queer-focused platforms; SSS (Same Sex Saturday) - party space that runs in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban - and Grounded - an intimate series of alternative experiences from hikes to dinners and everything in between.

“Queertopia is an immersive queer-centred festival that normalises and celebrates our differences. This fictitious new world order has its own forms of expression and communities that reimagine the world we live in,” said OVP as they plan to raise the Queertopia flag again.

After a successful event last year, the organisers have, again, put a two-day plan to celebrate queer people.

“Most spaces both consciously and unconsciously speak to and cater for cis-heteronormativite people in a way that marginalises other communities. Until all spaces are able to recognise the importance of all people and prioritise the needs of all then we will continue to curate queer-centred events,” said Mayisa.

All attendees are encouraged to come as they are, respect people's pronouns, always ask for consent, be considerate of others and never police anyone’s queerness.

“We should be able to exist freely everywhere, we should not be confined to specific places, because we are human first. We would like to normalise our existence without persecution or discrimination, particularly on this continent,” said OVP.

The first iteration of Queertopia took place at Constitutional Hill from 18 - 20 November 2021 through the support of the Jägermeister Night Embassy campaign.

“After a successful campaign that supported the first edition of Queertopia by OVP, in 2021, Jägermeister Night Embassy is going deeper into this movement and continuing to fulfil their mission to support different cultures, communities and creative voices,” said Mayisa.

The organisers promise an event where the LGBTQIAP+ community is prioritised and all allies are welcome.

“We want to remind people about the power of true community and that there are still places in South Africa, albeit few, where you can freely be yourself and be celebrated for it,” said Mayisa.

Aside from the raising of the Queertopia flag designed by Wacom Boy, a concept store, screening room, conversation circles, and zen room, the progressive lineup will include DJ’s and live performances from Desire Marea, Ms Party back to back with Lelowhatsgood, Darkie Fiction, Muneyi and Kekelingo, DJ LeSoul, Ukhoikhoi, Lilac Jeans, Mx Blouse, Mamthug, Thando Nje, Coco Brown, Pona Colada back to back with Nkly, Koko, An.d, Bilal Da DJ, Nouveaux, Dzaddy T, Maria McCloy and Womlambo.

“We try to curate a multidisciplinary, experimental line-up that prioritises queer artists. We also care deeply about promoting creativity and young local talent. Our line-up has been designed to create a sonic journey that elevates the everyday experience and brings us closer to one another,” said OVP.