Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 19:16:04 +0200 From: ilga Subject: ILGA Report: BUENOS AIRES PRIDE ILGA Report: 5TH PRIDE IN BUENOS AIRES: COLD WEATHER BUT NO COLD FEET *1500 march; police harassment; special delegation from Rosario* (report by Rafael Freda, SIGLA, Sociedad de Integracion Gay Lesbica Argentina.) For the fifth consecutive year, the Gay Lesbian Transvestite Transexual Gay Pride Parade marched in downtown Buenos Aires. Around 1500 people from LGBT communities under the banners of 22 different organizations gathered in May Square, facing the Cathedral and the Presidential Palace, under cold gusts of wind which without mercy froze hands and noses, but not feet or hearts. The slogan of the March was "Society may oppress me, police may kill me, but we stand still." Policemen kept away from Pride, allowing a nasty homophobic motorist to enter May Avenue and launch his car against the demo. The macho chauffeur fled after exchanging angry words and blows with gay men and transvestites. For the first time ever, a delegation of 40 LGBT activists from the City of Rosario travelled 400 kilometres to participate in the march under the flag of the "Rainbow Collective." They wore colourful dresses and masks that ridiculed policemen, judges, military and clergy. Later that night, in response, the police interrogated and arrested a transvestite from Rosario in the heart of Buenos Aires' gay area, trying to press prostitution charges and Police Edicts against crossdressing;; as a response to this, a very masculine Porten(~)o gay man kept her company to the Precinct until both were released with no charges. These incidents could not spoil the joy of the evening, which ended with a song and dress show in the Two Congresses Square, facing the legislative palace. There was a brunch and party offered for the Rosarians in the nearby SIGLA office, free passes to gay discos for the young ones, and a Gay Pride Special on TOTALLY NATURAL, the only gay radio talk show in Argentina. A gay pride to remember and celebrate, except for the cold which sent many to their homes sick and wondering why the Southern hemisphere doesn't hold their LGBT Pride days in their spring or summer. ***** ILGA congratulates the Argentinean organizers and participants of this event. SIGLA can be contacted at: Parana 122, 2do p. 1012 Capital Federal Buenos Aires ARGENTINA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ILGA - International Lesbian and Gay Association 81 Kolenmarkt, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium Phone/Fax +32-2-502-2471, E-mail: ilga@ilga.org A federation of over 300 groups from 75 countries fighting for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We also have over 100 supportive associate and individual members. Will you join us? Contact us for more info!