- Title: CHILE-GAY PRIDE Chileans celebrate gay pride and call for equal rights
- Date: 15th November 2014
- Summary: VARIOUS OF A STAGE WITH A D.J. PLAYING MUSIC PERFORMER JUMPING/SINGING ON STAGE FACING THE CROWD VARIOUS OF CROWD DANCING
- Embargoed: 30th November 2014 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Chile
- Country: Chile
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVADAHAASA5INHH4M8KAPK1QWH08
- Story Text: Chile's gay community and supporters turned out in force on Saturday (November 15) for the annual "Gay Parade" in Santiago.
Thousands gathered, marching, dancing, singing and wielding signs calling for more equal rights for same-sex couples.
Rolando Jimenez is the President of the "Movement for Homosexual Freedom" (MOVILH), the organization that sponsored the event. He said that despite some progress, challenges remain.
"In Chile, there is a paradox. They are recognizing us as gay, as lesbians - but they do not want to recognize our families. In this context, today we are dedicating this Gay Parade to the same-sex families. We are discussing the AVP (Accord of Life as a Couple), marriage equality, but there is an enormous resistance from conservative sectors of Chilean society," he explained.
In a statement, MOVILH said the demonstration was in response to the "hateful onslaught launched in recent weeks by political, religious and ultra-conservative social sectors against the rights of families with same-sex parents."
Same-sex couples in Chile do not receive equal legal rights that are given to heterosexual married couples.
The Senate approved a more gay-friendly legislation in October of this year, known as the Couple Life Agreement that grants legal rights to non-married heterosexual and homosexual couples. The legislation is awaiting a vote in the Chamber of Deputies.
Gay marriage is not legal in Chile, but is legal is neighbouring Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil.
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