November 11, 2012
Thousands Join Chile Gay Pride Parade
Winnie McCroy READ TIME: 1 MIN.
SANTIAGO, Chile - Thousands are parading in Chile's capital at a pride fest that has turned into the country's largest gay rights event.
Organizers say more than 50,000 people joined in the "Open Mind Fest." Revelers flooded several streets of Santiago waving rainbow flags and strutting in costumes as people of all ages turned out to support gay, lesbian and transgender people.
At the same time, thousands participated in a gay pride march in Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires.
Chile's president signed an anti-discrimination law earlier this year after a gay man was beaten to death. The law was approved after being stuck in Congress for seven years.
Chilean lawmakers are also preparing to debate a civil union law proposed by President Sebastian Pinera that would give inheritance and other rights to same-sex couples.
Winnie McCroy is the Women on the EDGE Editor, HIV/Health Editor, and Assistant Entertainment Editor for EDGE Media Network, handling all women's news, HIV health stories and theater reviews throughout the U.S. She has contributed to other publications, including The Village Voice, Gay City News, Chelsea Now and The Advocate, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.
