The LGBT+ Pride Parade in São Paulo returned to flood Avenida Paulista this Sunday the 19th after two years of remote celebrations due to the Covid19 pandemic. On the eve of the October elections, this year’s edition warns of the importance of voting. With 19 electro trios scattered along the street, the organization expected to attract 3.5 million people by 6:00 p.m. there was no tally of participants.
The gray and cloudy sky and the cold morning wind did not deter the participants, who colored the avenue. The return to the streets was marked by joy, hugs and reunions, but also by political awareness, which was reflected in the speeches of passersby. Political authorities, artists and influencers also attended the event.
As much as individual points of the avenue were impassable due to the rush, the party went on until 6 p.m. without any major incidents. Plainclothes security agents and squads of military police stood on almost every street corner. The report was aimed at some of them, who didn’t provide numbers but stressed that they didn’t receive many incidents of theft and violence as of 4 p.m.
New to the parade was educational director Ilana Rangel, 24, with her friends from Maricá, Rio, to attend the event. For them, the virtual stop was anything but ideal. “It was two bad years. The movement is street.”
Ilana’s friend Samara Rodrigues, 23, says she is thrilled to also be part of the event for the first time. In her opinion, being on Avenida Paulista shows that the community exists. Samara emphasizes that voting this year will mean resistance and survival. “We must choose those who will defend our lives.”
Jean Maia, 26, from Minas Gerais, agrees that taking part in the parade is always very important in an election year. He says he retired in 2018 and felt scared. But he says this year will be different. “The parade is a protest. Let’s show that we are here, present.”
Fighting for the community is also the goal of Mirian da Silva, 62 years old. “Being LGBT+ has become ‘more doable’ but we must keep fighting. Change our politics,” says she, who is a trans woman.
Professor Francisco Za Salles, 39, came from Itatira, Ceará to be in Paulista this Sunday. “It’s a very important year for us,” emphasizes the professor. “We have to put a stop to it”
The parade also attracted families, including those with young children. Cleidiane Costa and Jailton Costa from Belém took advantage of their presence in the capital to take their son, Jailton Costa Filho, 2, to the event. “That he learns from an early age to respect people,” says his father. “We think[the stop]is super important, especially for our son, to have a future where respect for diversity is greater than what we’re experiencing right now.”
Sofia Santos, 14, was accompanied by her mother, Angela Santos, 55. “It’s a time to celebrate who you are,” the girl explained. The two, like other people, wore masks and tried to stay away from the most crowded places. “We know that the virus is still contagious,” emphasized the mother.
Michael Wagner Bizarro Meri, 38, has made several stops. As a wheelchair user, he points out that this year’s edition was “better prepared” than the past to accommodate people with disabilities, but stressed that progress is still being made. “Today I wanted to be in the trio, but you have to climb the stairs.” He says he dreams of seeing “all the boys” from the top of the vehicle.
Religious groups were also present at the event. Youtuber Murilo Araújo, known as Muro Pequeno, marched with the “Bloco Gente de Fé” that brought together people of different religions. On Saturday they held an action in defense of LGBT+ rights in Largo do Arouche. “Today we march in defense of a country where the rights of LGBT+ people, black people and women are not liquidated by religious fundamentalism,” he said.
opening
At 12 noon the official opening took place, led by drag queen Tchaka. Early on, she observed 1 minute of silence to commemorate the victims of Covid19 and also to defend science.
Then he praised the participants. “We are the spice of this city,” he said. Tchaka also encouraged voting in October, the theme of this year’s parade. Afterwards, LGBT+ politicians or those who advocate for community causes took the stage.
Councilor Eduardo Suplicy praised the presence of trans people in the chamber. “All strength to you,” he told the crowd. Councilor Thammy Miranda said he was “very proud” of everyone who took part in the parade. “We are resistance. We just want to spread love.”
Marta Suplicy, the traditional supporter of the LGBT+ cause, said this year’s edition of the parade was the most important she’s ever attended. “This is a crucial moment. We are in a civilizational setback,” he explained. “Conscious voting is where we want the country to go.”
MP Isa Penna emphasized that the merger will help the community to overcome challenges. “They’re going to have to swallow us. We will never go back into the closet.”
Araraquara City Councilor Filipa Brunelli recalled the struggle of LGBT+ people in inner cities. “They’re the ones who suffer the most from stigma,” he said. “I am a transvestite and a redneck with great pride.”
to Estao, Secretary of State for Justice and Citizenship, Fernando José da Costa, personally stressed the importance of the return of the parade. “This event stands for strengthening the defense of diversity.” He emphasized that São Paulo is a pioneer in administrative punishment of LGBTphobia. In his speech to the crowd, Costa encouraged victims of prejudice to file a complaint. “We can no longer tolerate LGBT phobia.”
“Fora Bolsonaro” was shouted several times during the speeches. On Avenida Paulista, the traditional rainbow flags shared space with posters repeating the phrase against the government or showing the image of former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
For Renato Viterbo, vicepresident of the LGBT Pride Parade Association of São Paulo (APOLGBTSP), this year’s theme “Voting with pride: for representative politics” is an opportunity to show the importance of voting “for the community”. , left or right. “These are the public guidelines that we will have for the next four years. The intent is to vote for LGBT people and allies and show the public how much it will impact their families and communities as well,” he said in a statement. Interview given by Esstadão on Friday 17th.
party
Soon after the authorities’ speeches, the event took on a festive tone. The participants danced to music from different genres and times. TikTok “hits” were present with the right to be choreographed. To the sounds of “Envolver” by singer Anitta and “Anaconda” by Luísa Sonza, some young people threw themselves on the ground, on the asphalt, to take the steps that are successful in the short video competition.
Just after 2 p.m., a few rays of sunshine broke through the cloudy sky. From that point on, some sections of the Paulista were already difficult to cross due to the crowds that had gathered. In addition to the trios with performances by artists such as Ludmilla, Liniker and Mulher Pepita, it was hard to miss.
Health
The city’s health department said it had set up three tents along the parade. The campaign is part of the “LGBT+ Pride Week” organized by the STI/AIDS Coordination. The tents have educational and prevention materials, as well as specialized agents offering rapid testing for HIV and syphilis to participants, as well as condom distribution and selftesting for the AIDS virus.
security
The Public Security Secretariat (SSP) reported that more than 2,000 MPs and 254 vehicles are patrolling the event. The action is supported by the Traffic Police Command (CPTran), the Fire Department and the Air Patrol Group (GRPAe), which flies over the area with helicopters.
The Secretariat pointed out that the State has a police unit specialized in investigating homophobic crimes, the Police Station for Crimes of Race and Intolerance (Decradi). Victims and witnesses can contact the unit by calling (11) 33113555 or emailing [email protected]. It also investigates complaints received through various agencies such as Dial 100 and 180.