The 4th LGBT Pride Parade was held yesterday in the city of Piracicaba, in the interior of São Paulo. The gathering took place at Praça Pelourinho, which is located in Vila Resende, the richest region of the city, with mansions that resemble Jardim América in São Paulo. Around 16pm, there was already a large concentration of people in the square. Drag queens Rafaela Queen and Rubia Bittencourt were responsible for counting down to the start of the demonstration.
But, before the official opening, activists from the region spoke. Among them the drag queen Salete Campari, who spoke about the importance of Gay Parades in the interior of the state. Alexandre Sanches, from the NGO Visbilidade LGBT, in São Carlos, spoke about the partnership between the groups. Anselmo Figueiredo, coordinator of the NGO Casvi, spoke of the friction between the organization and the City Hall, highlighting that, despite everything, the current management is a "partner" of the Parade's organizers.
What caught the most attention about the Piracicaba Gay Parade is the fact that it was held in an upscale neighborhood. It was also interesting to note that most residents embraced the event. In some houses, entire families stood on the sidewalks watching the event participants.
The atmosphere was welcoming and, thus, the Parade ended its journey when it arrived at the door of Engenho Central, where the closing party would be held with Lady Gaga cover shows and drag shows from the region.
Ending the party at Engenho Central was the organizers' great achievement. The place, which is a large sugar mill listed by the City Hall, is today the cultural and tourist hub of Piracicaba. Therefore, there is nothing more significant than seeing it occupied by the LGBT community. However, as Salete Campari pointed out, the place has to be for everyone "every day and not just on the day of the Gay Pride".
See images of the demonstration in the album.
* Reporter Marcelo Hailer traveled at the invitation of the event.
