The LGBTI Pride March will take to the streets this Saturday to celebrate the 25th anniversary and remember the 50th anniversary of the publication of the Manifesto for the Freedom of Sexual Minorities, with thousands expected in Lisbon.
Speaking to Lusa, Helder Bertolo, from the LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) Pride March organizing committee, highlighted the demands that appeared in the manifesto approved on May 13, 1974, and that “can be resolved, but they are not there yet.”
“For example, saying that homosexuals cannot be objects of persecution, blackmail, and we still know that we still have people who continue to become objects of discrimination,” he gave an example.
He noted that this discrimination is no longer limited to homosexuals and extends to all sexual minorities, whether transgender, non-binary, intersex, lesbian or bisexual, which makes the person in charge consider that the claims are not worth reflecting on because they are not being met.
On the other hand, since the 25th anniversary of the March coincides with the 50th anniversary of April 25, Helder Bertolo recalled that “it was not April 25 that brought freedom”, as “the decriminalization of homosexuality. That happened only eight years later.”
“In any case, it was a very important milestone for freedom of expression, freedom to be and occupy public space,” he said.
He stressed that it was for this reason that this year it was decided that the March would return to Avenida da Liberdade, 25 years later.
“This is a sign that we give (…) to show that, despite the forces that try to threaten us not only with hate speech but also with violent hate actions that will not force us to lock ourselves in the closet again, we will continue to occupy the public space and that in terms of rights we are no different from others,” said Helder Bertolo.
The official suggested that thousands of people were expected to join the march, noting that the number of participants has been growing year on year and that last year there were about 35,000 people.
“We expect that this figure may be exceeded,” he admitted.
According to Helder Bertolo, due to the expected large number of people, for the first time the parade will be accompanied by two ambulances, as well as a support vehicle for people with reduced mobility or increased sensitivity to noise.
“We hope for what has happened in recent years, which is a huge diversity, because this is a diversity festival. To have families, to have dogs, cats, parrots, to have all people, because LGBTI people are in the middle of society, they are not a separate species,” he argued.
“It is this sign of diversity that we must celebrate more and more,” he added.
Helder Bertolo also recalled that, as in other years, the March ends in Terreiro do Paço, where this year the Diversity Festival, an event dedicated to the fight against fascism and racism, has been moved, because “minorities together have much more strength.”
In this sense, he stressed that “people will also be able to visit all the stands of the diversity festival throughout the day and hear and see the artists on stage.”
The LGBTI Pride March is scheduled to start at 4:30 pm at Marquês de Pombal Square, then proceed along Avenida da Liberdade towards Rossio and end at Terreiro do Paço.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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