Over 4,000 revelers spangled in all the colors of the rainbow took to the streets Saturday, June 10, as part of Guadalajara’s annual Pride Parade. And for the first time in the parade’s history, the marchers witnessed a Jalisco governor participating in the proceedings, his presence a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the state’s LGBT community.
After cutting the inaugural ribbon at the march’s starting point at the Glorieta de la Minerva, the state’s highest-ranking official, Aristoteles Sandoval, expressed his support for gay rights before the crowd.
“Today in Mexico and the whole world, we need to demonstrate that we respect and protect the right to choose, in all senses! That is liberty,” proclaimed Sandoval. He then called on elected officials everywhere to recognize and adapt to changing times. “The law is very clear; it should protect the equal rights of ALL citizens,” said Sandoval.
Every year, the parade promotes a different theme. For instance, last year’s slogan read “Equal Rights for Everyone!” This year, the phrase shouted from banners was “Equal Rights for All Families!”, addressing issues surrounding adoption rights and marriage equality.
The parade, which concentrated itself mainly along the wide arterials of Lopez Mateos and Hidalgo y Costilla, went off with very few hitches, arriving after three hours under the glaring sun at Plaza Liberacion, where the celebration continued with several musical performances, among other festivities.