- Title: BRAZIL: Sao Paulo stages the world’s largest ever gay pride parade
- Date: 27th June 2011
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) HEAD OF SAO PAULO'S AIDS PROGRAM, MARIA CLARA GIANA, SAYING: "During the parade, the state health department and the regional health department launch prevention actions such as the distribution of pamphlets, condoms and we also warn the population that this is a celebration, but it is also a very important time to address prevention of HIV infecti
- Embargoed: 12th July 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Brazil, Brazil
- Country: Brazil
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Quirky,Politics,People
- Reuters ID: LVA7F2CGOT8D9Z0Z46E50KNFTTU1
- Story Text: Nearly three million gays, lesbians and transvestites paraded down the main avenue of Brazil's business capital Sao Paulo on Sunday (June 26), showing their pride in a blaze of color and festive music.
DJs blasted dance music from trucks that drove down the skyscraper-lined avenue as people as the dense crowds danced and celebrated despite the rainy weather.
The 15th edition of the march, billed as the world's largest gay parade, urged an end to violence and discrimination against homosexuals.
The parade is seen as a major cash cow, attracting large numbers of Brazilian and foreign visitors, who boost the receipts of hotels, restaurants and shops.
The head of Sao Paulo's anti-AIDS program, Maria Clara Giana, said the government takes advantage of the parade to promote prevention campaigns.
"During the parade, the state health department and the regional health department launch prevention actions such as the distribution of pamphlets, condoms and we also warn the population that this is a celebration, but it is also a very important time to address prevention of HIV infections and other STDs," she said.
In May, Brazil's Supreme Court legally recognized homosexual partnerships in a landmark case for gay rights in a country with the world's largest population of Roman Catholics.
The decision grants gay couples most of the rights enjoyed by heterosexual partners, including pension benefits, inheritance and, some lawyers say, possibly the right to adopt children. Lower courts had ruled both in favor of and against partnerships, which are not governed by a specific law.
A transvestite known as Diva said the march helps others see homosexuals as an integral part of society.
"This (parade) helps people better understand homosexuality, and apart from the people who come here to act promiscuously, this helps people see that we are also human beings and must be accepted as we are," she said.
Claudismar Alves, who disguised himself as President Dilma Rousseff, criticized politicians for supporting the gay parade to lure voters instead of actually backing the cause.
"We (politicians) support everything my dear. What don't we do to win votes? We have to support this because this event is very important. I came all the way from Brasilia and I walked down the (presidential palace) ramp in high heels because President Dilma Rousseff is gorgeous," he said.
Gay activists are currently pressuring the government to approve a bill that outlaws discrimination against homosexuals.
Brazil has struggled with recent episodes of violence against the gay community -- including harassment and beatings at central points in Sao Paulo. In rural areas and even in the nation's capital, Brasilia, gays are often ridiculed and harassed. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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