This Pride Month, we honor the life and legacy of Simon Nkoli, a fearless South African activist whose courage helped shape the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and freedom in Africa. Nkoli was not only one of the first openly gay anti-apartheid activists, but also a founding member of GLOW (Gay and Lesbian Organisation of the Witwatersrand), the first Black-led queer rights movement in South Africa.

His activism bridged the fight against apartheid and the fight for queer liberation, reminding the world that justice is not complete unless it includes every voice. His coming out while imprisoned with other anti-apartheid leaders was a radical act that shifted minds and forged a path for inclusive resistance.

“I am black and I am gay. I cannot separate the two parts of me into secondary or primary struggles. In South Africa, I am oppressed because I am a black man and I am oppressed because I am a gay man.”

As we celebrate Pride, we remember Simon Nkoli not just as a historical figure, but as a beacon who continues to light the way for activists today. His life reminds us that Pride is rooted in resistance, and that the freedoms we enjoy have been carved through the courage of those who came before us. We honor Nkoli and countless others (named and unnamed) who dared to be visible in a world that tried to erase them. Their legacy fuels our ongoing struggle for true equality and liberation for all of us queer people, everywhere.

Happy Pride Month