On 13 June 2026, the Collectif Arc-en-Ciel, together with Gender Links (Mauritius), the Young Queer Alliance, PILS, ekiT and RekonekT, organised and participated in the Pride March 2026 at Rose-Hill.
Pride 2026 lived up to its theme “Ansam Nou Pli For” (Stronger Together), with the strengthened collaboration among Non Governmental Organisations as well as activists and allies. It saw increased enthusiasm and a higher participation of those who marched.
After the march, Dylan, Executive Board Member of Young Queer Alliance delivered his speech focusing on unity among the community, and the efforts to advance same-sex marriage in Mauritius.
Speech in English
Good afternoon, everyone,
It is with great pride that I stand before you today on behalf of Young Queer Alliance. When I look at this gathering today, I don’t see just a crowd; I see a movement. I see our community coming together, alongside our allies, and organisations working collaboratively.
Our theme, “Stronger together“, is more than a slogan. It is a daily lived and a collective responsibility that we all share. Because a single organisation, a single voice, or a single effort cannot carry this struggle alone. Together, we are not only stronger, but our voice is also stronger in advocating for lasting change. As the Creole saying goes, “Two hands clap to make a sound.”
Today, we are also here in recognition of pioneers who used their voices, who organised, and who mobilised. We are grateful to them and hold them in special thought today. It is now our responsibility to carry their legacy and protect what they have built. It is important that we leave our own mark on this struggle and contribute to our country and our community.
“Stronger Together” also reflects our vision for an inclusive Mauritius; a Mauritius where everyone can live with dignity, where we respect people’s identities, and where we value one another despite our differences.
As queer people, not all of us find acceptance within our families. Not all of us feel safe or comfortable in our homes. Some have even lost the security, love, and support that a family is supposed to provide. Yet, despite every setback, we have persevered. Today, we have a family; not the family we were born into, nor one that shares our surname, but a family we have chosen, and which has brought us together here today.
The Young Queer Alliance is actively working on the right to family and the right for same sex marriage. Together with Collectif Arc-en-Ciel, RekonekT, EkiT, and Gender Links, we are taking action to end the discrimination that prevents two people of the same sex from marrying. On 02 February, four members of our community filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission after experiencing a violation of their rights. Following this, more than a dozen LGBTQIA+ individuals came forward to share their experiences on this form of discrimination.
Today, I would like to mention their names so that, in our collective memory and in the history of our struggle, we remember their contribution: Najeeb, Vipine, Dhana, Wendy, José, known to many as Mandel, Jean Christophe, Dayolen, Mat, Visham, Kersley, Ambroise, Yan, Tan, and Ram. And myself, Dylan, who also shared my testimony.
Just two days ago, the National Human Rights Commission made its clear: all people are born equal in dignity and rights. The NHRC also asked an important question: who are we to say that two people who love one another cannot unite in marriage?
This progress has been possible because all of us at YQA, together with Collectif, RekonekT, EkiT, and Gender Links, have worked collectively. We have filed complaints, organised, and mobilized. That is the true meaning of the theme we have chosen today. That is why we marched.
Let us remain mobilized. Let us continue advocating, because our struggle is far from over.
“Stronger Together”, Together, let us build our rainbow nation, a nation where everyone has a place. Happy Pride to all of you.
Thank you.
Diskour dan Kreol Morisien
Bonapremidi zot tou.
Li avek enn gran fierte ki mo debout devan zot zordi o-nom de Young Queer Alliance. Kan mo get sa rasanbleman-la, mo pa trouv zis enn lafoul, me mo trouv enn mouvman. Mo trouv nou kominote rasanble, kouma bann alie, ek bann organizasion ki pe kolabore ansam.
Nou tem, “Ansam Nou Pli For”, li plis ki enn slogan. Li enn realite ki nou tou viv toulezour ek enn responsabilite kolektif. Parski enn sel organizasion, enn sel lavwa, enn sel zefor pa pou kav sarye sa lalit-la tousel. Ansam, nou pa zis pli for, me nou lavwa osi pli for pou enn sanzman ki pli dirab. Kouma koze kreol dir, de lame bate, fer son.
Nou la osi zordi pou bann pionie ki’nn servi zot lavwa, pou organize, pou mobilize. Nou rekonesan ek ena enn panse spesial anver zot ek zordi seta nou de prendre le flambo pou protez saki zot inn konstrir, saki zot inn batir. Li importan ki nou kit nou tras dan sa lalit-la, nou amenn nou kontribision pou nou pei ek pou nou kominote.
Ansam nou pli for, li osi parski nou oule enn moris inklizif, li enn moris kot nou tou marye-pike, pou respekte lidantite, valer nou prosin, malgre nou diferans.
Antan ki dimounn queer, pa nou tou ki retrouv nou dans nou fami, pa nou tou ki santi nou alez dans nou fami. Ena mem ki finn perdi sekirite, lamour, soutien, ki enn fami sipoze amene. Tombe-leve nou’nn persevere, ek zordi, nou ena enn fami. Pa fami dan ki nou’nn nee. Pa fami pou ki nou port mem patronim. Me enn fami ki nou’nn soizir kot zordi ansam nou’nn reini.
Young Queer Alliance pe travay aktivman lor drwa a lafami, drwa pou ki nou kapav marye avek dimounn ki nou kontan. Ansam avek Collectif Arc-en-Ciel, RekonekT, EkiT, ek Gender Links, nou pe amenn bann aksion pou aret diskriminasion ki anpes de dimounn du meme sexe marye. Le 2 fevriye, 4 dimounn de la kominote inn port plint Komision Nasional Drwa Imin parski zot inn finn sibir enn violasion zot drwa. Apre sa, enn di-z-enn lezot dimounn LGBTQ inn donn zot temwagn pou sa tip diskriminasion-la.
Zordi mo anvi zis mantionn zot nom, pou ki dan nou memwar kolektif, ek dan listwar nou lalit, nou rapel zot kontribision: Najeeb, Vipine, Dhana, Wendy, José ou Mandelle kouma nou konn li, Jean Christophe, Dayolen, Mat, Visham, Kersley, Ambroise, Yan, Tan ek Ram. Ek moi mem, Dylan, kinn donn temwagn.
Enn de zour de sela Komision National Drwa Imin, inn bien kler: Tou dimounn inn ne egal dan so dinite ek drwa. Komision National Draw Imin inn osi poz enn kestion: Ki sannla nou ete pou dir ki 2 dimounn ki kontan pa kapav ini dan maryaz?
Sa pozision la inn vini zordi parski nou tou dan YQA, me osi Collectif, RekonekT, EkiT ek Gender Links pe travay ansam. nou’nn met plint, nou’nn organize, nou’nn mobilize. Samem realite slogan ki zordi nou’nn swazir. Pou samem nou’nn marse.
Anou res mobilize. Anou kontinie milite akoz nou lalit li ankor long.
Ansam nou pli for. Ansam, anou batir nou nasion larkansiel, kot nou tou ena so plas. Bonn fet Pride zot tou. Mersi.
Yan Bucktawor
Communication Volunteer
Young Queer Alliance
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