Daniela Mercury, Anitta among São Paulo LGBT Pride Parade attractions

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Parade Association of São Paulo (APOGLBT-SP) and the local government of São Paulo on Tuesday (June 13) announced the program and preparations for the 21st LGBT Pride Parade which will take place from noon to 6 pm next Sunday (18) on Paulista Avenue in São Paulo. This year, the theme is “No matter our beliefs, religion is no law. Stand together for a secular state.”

Organizers estimate the turnout at the event will be 3 million people. The main attractions include Bahia singer Daniela Mercury and carioca funk singer Anitta, one of the best known contemporary Brazilian singers. The parade will feature 19 floats sponsored by pro-LGBT and LGBT-friendly organizations and businesses and those committed to combating and ending all discrimination, whether based on ethnicity or gender.

As in other years, the rallying place for the event will be the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP), where people are expected to gather as of 10 am. From there, they will march for about 3.5 kilometers along Avenida Paulista onto Rua da Consolação. The closing show will be at Vale do Anhangabaú , featuring such attractions as singer Tâmara Angel and gay nightlife artists.

The LGBT Pride Parade in São Paulo is regarded as the world's biggest of its type. São Paulo Mayor  João Dória says that the parade will help drive business to the local economy. “Alongside Formula 1, the Parade is the largest tourist-driving event in our city and has considerable impact on the economy. In addition to its activism, it's good for the economy because it creates revenue, jobs, and an international reputation,” he says.

The mayor said he expects private sponsorship of the event to increase each year. “We will continue to work to bring more and more private contributions into the parade, so we can concentrate public investment to infrastructure, security, and support services.” The main sponsors at this year's event are a beer brand and a paid ride app.

Translated by Mayra Borges