Over 100,000 individuals came together to advocate for LGBTQ rights in Mexico on Saturday, while Costa Rica’s culture minister faced repercussions for showing support for the nation’s Pride March this past weekend.
Rainbow flags lined the streets of Mexico City as crowds made their way to central Zocalo square amidst a joyous atmosphere.
Protesters spoke out against hate crimes and discrimination, calling for “sexual freedom!” as police and event organizers estimated that over 100,000 people participated in the Pride March.
“I am marching today to ensure that tomorrow we no longer have to conceal ourselves…to prevent children from suffering bullying like I did,” shared 28-year-old Roberto Arellano with AFP.
“Love is not a crime,” he affirmed.
Demonstrators carried a white coffin symbolizing the LGBTQ community members who have lost their lives in Mexico, demanding “justice!”
According to the advocacy group Letra S, 231 community members have been killed in Mexico between 2001 and 2023, with a majority of the victims being transgender individuals.
The Mexico City march coincided with Pride events taking place worldwide in June, including Costa Rica’s scheduled rally for Sunday.
However, just prior to the parade, the planned festivities in the capital city of San Jose were overshadowed by the dismissal of Culture Minister Nayuribe Guadamuz for publicly endorsing the LGBTQ event.
The government stated that this decision was made “without the authorization of the president” as they announced Guadamuz’s termination.
The government also nullified the minister’s “declaration of cultural interest of the event” in the statement.
Reports indicate that the event organizers did not obtain the proper approvals for the rally.
Geovanny Delgado, spokesperson for the Diversity March, confirmed that the group followed the necessary procedures and declared that “the march continues.”
Elsewhere in Central America, Guatemala’s constitutional court rejected a legal attempt to cancel the Pride March, which proceeded as planned the following day.
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