- Title: BRAZIL/MEXICO: Mexicans and Brazilians hold gay pride parades
- Date: 19th June 2006
- Summary: (W2) MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (JUNE 17, 2006) (REUTERS) GAY MAN PAINTED IN SILVER AND WEARING HEADDRESS DANCING MARCHER CARRYING SIGN THAT READS 'HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOT A DISEASE, HOMOPHOBIA KILLS' WIDE OF PARADE GAY MAN WITH FACE AND BODY PAINTED AND WEARING WINGS MARCHING IN PARADE LESBIANS WAVING RAINBOW FLAG CAR WITH MARCHERS DRESSED AS CONDOMS SIGN THAT READS 'A LESBIAN WOMA
- Embargoed: 4th July 2006 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Domestic Politics,Lifestyle
- Reuters ID: LVA8CAVNSMMC1DHGZ409O02T64I4
- Story Text: An estimated forty thousand Mexicans and hundreds of thousands of Brazilians participated in the annual Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transvestite Pride Marches on Saturday (June 17).
In Mexico City, the colourful parade included many participants who dressed in costumes, painted their bodies and danced in the midday sun.
Waving rainbow flags and carrying posters, thousands of gay and lesbian couples marched to Mexico City's central Zocalo plaza and demanded greater political support as three hundred police officers provided security.
"Practically no politician has dared to take this movement into his hands and advance it, respect it, legalize unions," said one participant, Denise. "They just do it to win votes."
Mario, a gay activist who participated in the parade, criticised Mexican society for being too conservative.
'There's discrimination," he said. "There's no acceptance. There's still a perception that the people should be respected but in deeds, in jobs, in relationships among friends, there's still rejection."
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of Brazilians celebrated gay pride in the country's largest city, Sao Paulo.
Participants crowded in the streets, calling for increased acceptance and rallying for the national soccer team which will play Australia in the World Cup on Sunday (June 18).
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