For the first time, the Guanajuato State Penitentiary System held marches and weddings for the gay community to commemorate International LGBT+ Pride Day.
838 people incarcerated in the Prevention and Social Reintegration Centers (Ceprereso) located in Acámbaro, Celaya, Guanajuato, Irapuato, León, Pénjamo, Salamanca, San Felipe, San Miguel de Allende, and Valle de Santiago participated in the mobilizations.
There were no incidents during the mobilizations, and the inmates enjoyed the support of prison authorities.
Two weddings were held at the prison, films such as Bohemian Rhapsody were screened, “Pride Queen” contests were held, and informational talks were held where life stories were shared.
The marches featured rainbow flags and banners reading “I am gay, I am lesbian, I am bisexual, I am transgender, I am human,” “I love myself as I am,” “Pride out loud,” “Gay Pride,” and “In a world full of prejudice, the courage to be authentic is a revolutionary act.”
“We are very excited because this had never happened in the prison system, and we were fortunate to be one of the first couples to fulfill their dream,” Elitani and Joselyn declared after their marriage.
Alexa urged inmates not to hide their preferences because it brings unhappiness.
“I thought a lot about my dad, because he was the only one in the world who accepted me as I am. He told me: ‘Love yourself, daughter, as you are,'” Grecia commented during the activities.
Secretary of Security and Peace Juan Mauro González Martínez stated that they respectfully recognize people whose identity, orientation, and history demonstrate that human dignity has no labels.
June 28th marks International LGBT+ Pride Day, which originated in the Stonewall riots of 1969, when the New York City police raided an LGBT+ bar.
Source: jornada
