- Home
- Black Prides
- Thousands Attend Chile's Gay Parade
Thousands Attend Chile's Gay Parade
- By Harlequin .
- Published 11/19/2007
- Black Prides
- Unrated
Harlequin .
Your server seeking out theatrical opportunities for your pleasure
View all articles by Harlequin .Thousands Attend Chile's Gay Parade
By Mark Helmantoler
Over 20,000 people attended Chile’s Gay Parade 2007 on Friday, hosted by the Movement for Homosexual Integration and Freedom (Movilh). This figure represents the largest turnout ever for an event promoted by the organization.
“It was an event against all forms of discrimination, where gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals and heterosexuals can dance without fear and say ‘no’ to discrimination” said Movilh president Rolando Jimenez. “People began trickling in at 3 p.m. and did not stop arriving.”
While the event provided hours of entertainment for thousands, organizers also took the opportunity to draw attention to two main laws they hope the government will swiftly approve: The Anti-Discrimination Law and The Civil Union Pact.
Vìctor Pastrana and Armando Salgado, ex-Carabineros allegedly fired for being gay (ST, Oct. 12, 19, 29), attended the festival as did Sandra Pavez, a 21-year veteran instructor of basic religion who the Catholic Church has tried to prevent from teaching classes because she has a female partner.
The highlight of the day for many was the reading of a message from President Michelle Bachelet to the organizers and participants of the festival. The letter stated that the President was aware of the effort made by Movilh for the acceptance of sexual minorities and that she supported their attempts for equality.
Friday’s event coincided with the International Day for Tolerance, a day observed by UNESCO since 1995 to raise awareness of the dangers that intolerance can provoke.
It also followed a similar parade on Chile’s Gay Pride Day, which was celebrated at the end of September. At that time, thousands of gay right supporters flooded the streets of Santiago and other Chilean cities, including conservative southern cities such as Chillan and Talca. Marchers also aimed to call attention to anti-discrimination legislation that is pending approval by the Senate. (ST, Oct. 1)
Source link
Over 20,000 people attended Chile’s Gay Parade 2007 on Friday, hosted by the Movement for Homosexual Integration and Freedom (Movilh). This figure represents the largest turnout ever for an event promoted by the organization.
“It was an event against all forms of discrimination, where gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals and heterosexuals can dance without fear and say ‘no’ to discrimination” said Movilh president Rolando Jimenez. “People began trickling in at 3 p.m. and did not stop arriving.”
While the event provided hours of entertainment for thousands, organizers also took the opportunity to draw attention to two main laws they hope the government will swiftly approve: The Anti-Discrimination Law and The Civil Union Pact.
Vìctor Pastrana and Armando Salgado, ex-Carabineros allegedly fired for being gay (ST, Oct. 12, 19, 29), attended the festival as did Sandra Pavez, a 21-year veteran instructor of basic religion who the Catholic Church has tried to prevent from teaching classes because she has a female partner.
The highlight of the day for many was the reading of a message from President Michelle Bachelet to the organizers and participants of the festival. The letter stated that the President was aware of the effort made by Movilh for the acceptance of sexual minorities and that she supported their attempts for equality.
Friday’s event coincided with the International Day for Tolerance, a day observed by UNESCO since 1995 to raise awareness of the dangers that intolerance can provoke.
It also followed a similar parade on Chile’s Gay Pride Day, which was celebrated at the end of September. At that time, thousands of gay right supporters flooded the streets of Santiago and other Chilean cities, including conservative southern cities such as Chillan and Talca. Marchers also aimed to call attention to anti-discrimination legislation that is pending approval by the Senate. (ST, Oct. 1)
Source link
