Guadalajara’s LGBTQ community is so full of pride that there is not one, but two yearly pride parades, scheduled one after the other in early June.
The first event, Guadalajara Pride, happens Saturday, June 2. Every year, parade organizers choose a slogan — this year’s is “Caminar por Orgullo,” (Walk for Pride). Expected attendance for this year’s Guadalajara Pride is about 70,000 people of all different stripes, who will march from the Glorieta Minerva at 2 p.m. and make its way east to Plaza de la Liberacion, where the party will continue with bands, Djs, and a special “surprise.”
In addition to the parade itself, activities relating to LGBT life and identify will be scattered around the city, including workshops, expositions and the “Muestra Premio Maguey,” a cinematic event to take place at the UdeG’s Cineforo.
Following Guadalajara Pride is the Marcha de Orgullo (Pride March), Saturday, June 9. As in years past, the parade will consist of various organizations, associations, individual activists, families, businesses, tourists and a motley crew of randoms, all presumably interesting in promoting inclusiveness and equality — and fighting against bigotry and hatred.
The Marcha de Orgullo parade is scheduled, like GDL Pride, to begin 2 p.m. sharp at the Glorieta Minerva. From there, a glacial mat of humanity will slowly ooze east, where it will come to rest, again, at Plaza de la Liberacion. Organizers are expecting at least 50,000 persons to participate in their event.
Like Guadalajara Pride, Marcha de Orgullo comes with a different slogan each year. This year’s is simple and to the point: “Con Orgullo” — With Pride. And in line, perhaps, with the increasing visibility of the #metoo movement, the parade will be lead by women, be they bisexual, lesbian, transgender or transexual.
Lending style and flash to the proceedings will be members of Style Dance Academy, ATL, Cabareto, Mon Franco and recording artist Angelo Diep.
For more information on the Guadalajara Pride and Marcha de Orgullo parades, go to their respective Facebook pages.