LGBT Pride Parade advocates secular state

Millions of people flocked to Paulista Avenue, the financial heart of São Paulo, for the city's 21st LGBT Pride Parade. This year, the theme of the parade was: “No matter our beliefs, religion is no law. Stand together for a secular state.”

The chair of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Parade Association of São Paulo, Claudia Regina dos Santos Garcia, talked about the importance of this year's theme. “You all have a right to go home without having to put up with homophobia, disrespect, or abuse. Nothing should stop us from loving and being ourselves,” she said.

Television host and model Fernanda Lima, the queen of this year's parade, said she was happy to represent the LGBT community. “This is a secular State. Religion is each one's choice, it has nothing to do with civil law, with the rights of society as a whole. Let's be free, people can be whatever they want to be, as long as they abide by the law,” she said in excitement.

The parade featured 19 floats sponsored by organizations and businesses that support the LGBT movement. According to organizers, the turnout was 3 million people.

Translated by Mayra Borges