LGBT Community Unites in Cuernavaca to Combat Conservative Campaign teleSUR
go to original August 29, 2016

Gay marriages have already been legalized in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay but the movements are still growing strong across the region. (teleSUR English)

Mexican LGBT activists Sunday held their first-ever national meeting, in the central city of Cuernavaca, to combat a concerted effort by the Catholic church and civil society to repeal same-sex marriage in the country.

Gay marriage is legal in Mexico, but it is up to each province, or state to recognize or enforce the practice. Catholic activists earlier this month called for a series of nationwide protests against same-sex marriage.

LGTB activists have said that this campaign and others like it represent a violation of Mexico's secular democracy, and encourage violence and homophobia in this traditionally conservative country.

... Hundreds of LGBT activists from 25 states and representatives of international organizations like the Harvey Milk Foundation, concluded that the president's initiative has only placed their community in harm's way, or subjected them to “target shooting.” Activists have urged Peña Nieto to act more forcefully against both violent and rhetorical attacks.

They also described as absurd the marches planned by anti-LGBT activitsts, especially since their stated objective is to protect the traditional family, a concept that seems “archaic” in a country as diverse as Mexico's.

The first march against gay-marriage is expected to take place on September 10 in Mexico City, recognized worldwide as a gay cultural capital, and other marches will be conducted on September 24 in the country’s major cities.

Read the rest at teleSUR

Related: Mexico’s LGBT Community Rallies for Action This Fall at National Gathering (Waging Nonviolence)

Related: Prominent Mexican Politician Threatens Catholic Church Over Gay Marriage (PewSitter.com)

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