BOLIVIA: Bolivians celebrate gay pride with annual parade

Record ID: 278162

  • Title: BOLIVIA: Bolivians celebrate gay pride with annual parade
  • Date: 29th June 2014
  • Summary: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (JUNE 28, 2014) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) VARIOUS OF GAY PRIDE PARADE PARTICIPANTS DRESSED IN COSTUMES, WALKING DOWN STREET ONLOOKERS GATHERED AT SAN FRANCISCO SQUARE MARCHERS CARRYING GIANT FLAG VARIOUS OF PARADE PARTICIPANTS IN COSTUME PARADE PARTICIPANT DANCING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT OF GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER ORGANISATION OF BOLIV
  • Embargoed: 14th July 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Bolivia, Plurinational State Of
  • Country: Bolivia
  • Topics: Entertainment,People
  • Reuters ID: LVADG5K6ZU5LXVFVD90POSMI057M
  • Story Text: Dressed in sparkles and sequins and risque costumes, members of Bolivia's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community celebrated sexual diversity with an annual parade through La Paz on Saturday (June 28).
    Onlookers lined the streets applauding as participants marched, danced and sashayed through the capital.
    Homophobia and discrimination have traditionally been problems in Bolivia, but the president of Bolivia's Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Association has hope for the future.
    "Sexual diversity is part of the cultural diversity of this country and we are talking. We are going to build a Bolivia without discrimination, without homophobia or transphobia," said David Aruquipa.
    Throughout the year, hundreds of activists organize health and tolerance workshops in La Paz and distribute information on the community.
    This year, marchers were calling on legislators to consider same sex civil unions.
    Parade participant Paris Galan said they were not looking for special treatment.
    "We are not a special population. We don't want special laws. We only want to have the same rights that other citizens have - something that we have not had in the country since it was founded."
    Although the annual gay pride parade is tame compared to other Latin American and European countries, it has grown in size over the years and draws applauding onlookers.
    "They should not be forgotten because they are a part of society. I think that we should support them. Above all, society should accept them as they are," said Leni Mayorga, who watched the parade.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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