Activists across Latin America celebrated Pride Month with large-scale demonstrations and cultural activities, demanding that their countries guarantee equality and protect LGBTQ people from violence.
From Santiago, Chile to Mexico City, activists took to the streets to celebrate the rights won and the many rights still pending.
Chile
A Pride march organized by the Movement for the Liberation of Homosexuality (Mobil) and the Iguarez Foundation took place on June 22nd in downtown Santiago, the capital. Officials and both organizations said more than 120,000 people participated.
Under the slogan “Pride in Memory and Hope,” marchers called on lawmakers to approve a bill that would allow for reparations for LGBTQ Chileans targeted by General Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship. There were also calls for the government to promote LGBTQ-inclusive educational reform.
“This time we are marching on high alert,” said Mobil spokeswoman Javiera Zuniga. “For the first time in decades, we are losing the rights we have won. We demand a national awakening. Reform of the Zamudio Law has been stalled for 13 years.”
Marches also took place in Valparaíso, Antofagasta, Temuco and Concepcion, highlighting the growing visibility of transgender and feminist organizations.
Mexico
On June 29, Mexico City was the center of one of the largest Pride marches in the region.
More than 300,000 people took part in the march. Comité IncluyeT organized its 46th annual march under the slogan: “Never step back. Rights will be respected.”
Several organizations condemned the increase in hate crimes. Mexico’s National Hate Crimes Monitoring Service noted that more than 80 LGBTQ people were reported killed last year. They also called on Mexican lawmakers to criminalize transfemicide across the country.
Argentina
Buenos Aires’ official Pride march takes place in November, but the Argentine LGBT+ Federation and other groups in the Argentine capital and other cities across the country organized activities in June.
On June 24, more than 5,000 people marched from Plaza de Mayo to the Argentine Congress to reject the government’s dismantling of public policies. President Javier Millay’s decision to abolish the Ministry of Women, Gender and Diversity and cut sexual health programs was also among the moves condemned by protesters.
“Today, Pride is also resisting this adjustment,” noted the LGBTQ advocacy group Comunidad Argentine Gays.
Columbia
Thousands of people marched in Colombia’s capital Bogota and the cities of Medellin, Cali and Barranquilla on June 29th.
While violence against LGBTQ people remains high, marchers’ slogan was “Diversity also means peace.” Colombian LGBTQ rights group Caribe Afirmatibo noted that more than 45 members of the community have been reported murdered in the country in the past 12 months, most of them trans women.
The group also called on lawmakers to resume consideration of a bill that would extend comprehensive protections to LGBTQ Colombians. The measure has been stalled in Congress since 2023.
Brazil
More than 3 million people participated in the 28th São Paulo LGBTQ+ Pride Parade, held on June 22nd on Avenida Paulista in São Paulo.
The parade was held under the slogan “LGBT+ Social Policy: We want the whole, not the halves.” Organizers called for expanded access to health care, employment and education for the most vulnerable communities, especially Black transgender people. They also accused ultra-conservative figures of trying to curtail LGBTQ rights.
peru and paraguay
On June 28, more than 15,000 people took part in a Pride march in Lima, the capital of Peru. Participants called on lawmakers to approve a trans rights law that has been stalled in Peru’s parliament since 2016, and to recognize civil unions.
Members of Paraguay’s LGBTQ rights group Somos Gay and others participated in a Pride march in the capital Asunción on June 29.
Despite threats and anti-LGBTQ hate speech on social media, the march took place without incident. Participants called for an end to anti-LGBTQ discrimination and rhetoric by social and religious groups.
Central America
On June 22, more than 2,000 people participated in a Pride march in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. On June 28, a Pride demonstration was held in San Salvador, the capital of neighboring El Salvador.
Source: Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News – www.washingtonblade.com
