Brazil: Biggest LGBT Pride on planet

At least 3 million people crowded into the streets of São Paulo for the biggest Pride march on the planet June 10. The turnout was estimated at half a million more than last year. The march condemned anti-gay bigotry, racism and sexism. (AP, June 10)

Before the march, the Communist Party of Brazil issued a support statement that read: “The Communist Party of Brazil greets the participants of the Gay Pride March in São Paulo and supports the fight against racism, male chauvinism and homophobia present in our society. The March is a great moment of struggle and raising of consciousness, with the joy and irreverence characteristic of our people.

“The freedom of sexual choice and for individual rights is part of the option for democracy and the transformation to a more just society.

“We are part of the Brazilians, men and women, who fight for social inclusion, for a guarantee of rights and equality between people. We defend the banners raised for the right to civil union for people of the same sex, the fight against discrimination and for the affirmative actions of public institutions and society to guarantee full conditions for human development.

“To build a just Brazil it is necessary to fight all forms of discrimination and to promote broad social inclusion. Our determination is to defend a sovereign country, with equality, democracy and free of prejudice.”

—Leslie Feinberg