Monthly Newsletter - October 2008

Argentina is a country full of history, a country marked by an unforgettable sense of deep struggle. All citizens have had to fight for their rights, some say even more so than many of their Latin American brothers and sisters. Argentineans have had to deal with leaders ranging from dictators to other forms of repressive governments, which marked history as they engaged in a ‘dirty war’. Militants, mothers of the disappeared, disabled people, minorities, women, and the population in general were directly affected by the dirty war, which sought to achieve total repression and scared Argentina forever.

Today, under a democratic government, this now modern country celebrates its success in these struggles with a number of celebrations, which represent the pride of being rightfully and equally Argentinean under law. Many of these celebrations are held as commemorations as well, as to never forget the horrors of repressive governments gone by.

Amongst these celebrations, and since 1992, one can find the Annual LGBT Pride Parade. Having one of the largest openly-LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transsexual) populations in Latin America, Argentineans accept this group as another diverse population that make up the colorful and wonderful identity of Argentina, specially in the modern city of Buenos Aires. Last year, over 25,000 people took place in the historical parade that filled the streets of Buenos Aires.

This year, on November 1st,  the XVII Annual LGBT Pride Parade will take place, leaving from the central and historical Plaza de Mayo. The parade will be the culmination of a week-long calendar of activities, ranging from art shows to workshops about human rights, healthcare, law, and others. This year’s parade will commemorate the creation of the first gay rights organization in 1969, as well as celebrating the end of the repressive military regime, the union laws recently passed in Buenos Aires, and the clear advance of anti-discrimination policies throughout Argentina.

This annual event receives the attention of the entire country, as well as of travelers from around the world, which can either join the parade or observe as by-standers. This celebration is accompanied by music, dance, informational stands, decorated floats, parties, and many others, creating not only an ambience of celebration, visibility and joy; but also of political manifestation, as a safe critical mass of Argentineans struggle once again for the realization and respect of all human rights.

By
Adriana Quirós

Source:
marchadelorgullo.org.ar
agmagazine.com.ar
whatsonwhen.com

PAST NEWSLETTERS:

• Newsletter September 2008
• Newsletter August 2008
• Newsletter July 2008
• Newsletter June 2008
• Newsletter May 2008
• Newsletter April 2008
• Newsletter February 2008
• Newsletter January 2008