This week thousands of people poured into the ostrich-farming district to celebrate the annual Klein Karoo National Arts Festival.
But local dominees have launched a vitriolic attack on Oudtshoorn municipal employee Rodney Gelant, 36, who in the midst of the festival has unveiled plans to host a “Pink Ostrich Parade” in December.
Gelant wants to kick-start an annual gay bash similar to the Pink Loerie Festival in Knysna. He has submitted funding proposals to the municipality and other potential sponsors.
Pastor Kobus van Zyl of the Apostolic Faith Mission Klein Karoo Congregation is not amused. He penned a letter to the local newspaper, Die Hoorn, blasting the proposition and describing homosexuality as “a horror” condemned by the Bible. Four local church leaders co-signed the letter.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, Gelant said: “Actually, I was expecting that letter. But it was still a bit of a shock. See, I’m also a Christian and I go to church. I’m conferring with someone on how I shall respond to these dominees.”
KKNK festival fans cheered on Wednesday evening as eight Miss Gay contestants slipped into stilettos, swimwear and glittering gowns at a club in central Oudtshoorn. Gelant organised the event, one of a few planned to pick finalists for his festival’s main beauty pageant in December.
“It was fabulous! I’ve really had so much interest from gay people in the small towns of the Karoo,” he said.
He was raised by a single mother and matriculated at the Calitzdorp High School. He coordinates NGO funding at the Oudtshoorn sub-district’s department of health.
He said: “My job has inspired me to do more for my community. And, being a gay person, I’ve realised that I haven’t done enough to fight the stigma. I want to empower young gays and lesbians, I want to build them up.”
In his letter, Van Zyl said: “We as a church condemn a parade or festival that celebrates homosexuality in public … We ask that the hosting of a gay festival in Oudtshoorn be reconsidered and strongly opposed.”
Van Zyl told the Sunday Times: “We don’t want to debate the matter. We just feel that it is fair that we, as churches, also get the chance to air our views.”
KKNK spokesman Brenden Ruiter distanced himself from the furore.
“It is coincidental that Rodney’s event takes place at the same time as the festival,” he said.
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Article source: http://www.timeslive.co.za/news/2012/04/08/pink-ostrich-parade-ruffles-feathers-in-karoo