CHILE: Scores of Chileans descend on central Santiago for a sexual diversity march in the capital, calling for equal rights to marriage

Record ID: 335393

  • Title: CHILE: Scores of Chileans descend on central Santiago for a sexual diversity march in the capital, calling for equal rights to marriage
  • Date: 30th March 2013
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF MARCH PARTICIPANTS
  • Embargoed: 14th April 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Chile
  • Country: Chile
  • Topics: Politics,People
  • Reuters ID: LVACTO7SJ69UZI8ZB7WOTYKXC7UY
  • Story Text: Scores of Chileans marched for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual) rights and sexual diversity in Santiago on Saturday (March 30).
    The march brought together families, couples and individuals in support of gay rights in the traditional, Catholic country.
    Valentina Suazo demanded greater respect for Chile's same-sex community within the conservative society.

    "We think that society has to accept us as we are and not hide behind a suit, not to be always hiding. We are part of this society, we are not a sexual minority," she said.
    A common theme for marchers was gay marriage. No law is currently under consideration to allow same-sex unions in Chile.

    "We want to have a normal life just like any other citizen, with the right to marry, have children, have a family album and not have to hide anything, not to live a double life," said marcher Carolina Urzua.
    Only one Latin American country, Argentina, grants same-sex couples full marriage rights. Gay marriage is also allowed in Mexico City and the Brazilian state of Alagoas. Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Uruguay allow civil unions.

    "We want to marry, we want to have the same right as all normal people and that they respect us as such, that they don't stare at me because my partner is holding my hand," said marcher, Emerson Cardenas.
    Many gay activists in Chile are hopeful that recent strides in gay rights legislation in the capital represents part of a sea change in attitudes on homosexuality in much of conservative Latin America.
    LBGTI
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