Si Soy Gay - by Santo Gay

Attended Tlaxcala's 2008 Pride Parade: Marcha por la Diversidad Sexual – Tlaxcala 2008, Saturday, June 21, 2008, held in the state of Tlaxcala and in the capitol city of Tlaxcala, population 15,777; located 2 hrs east of Mexico City. 150 people to 200 attended this Marcha. GLBT people from nearby Apizaco along with other people from various surrounding communities were also in attendance. This is the fifth year the parade, Marcha, has been held in Tlaxcala with a couple of people making mention that only like 3 years ago only about 15 people had openly participated in the Marcha.

The state of Tlaxcala is the smallest of the states in the Republic of Mexico and the capitol of Tlaxcala as mentioned has a population of 15,777 people so it is a very small community. This Marcha being held in such a small community is a major event when one considers that most people think that GLBT freedoms only exist in larger cities i.e. Mexico City, Monterry, etc.

The parade went effortlessly with no trouble from the conservative community. Many non-GLBT people stopped to watch the march with several Macho men laughing at what some called los jotos (the fags); no trouble or fights though. The only scary part for me during the march was when the police showed up in full riot gear. Two young men leading the parade with the lead banner ran out of procession to block the police. And I thought those two guys were really brave considering I was already clutching my pearls thinking there was going to be trouble from the police. One friend told me that he felt that the police was probably there to offer protection, but I was not buying it because the marcha was almost to the end of it’s destination AND there was never a problem.

The police presence to me was more of an OK, you got your marcha and when you get to the end of your March, the Zocalo, there better be no trouble. You see, though the parade was allowed, the GLBT community was NOT offered nor allowed a stage or speakers for GLBT community leaders to make closing comments nor were tables or booths allowed. I was told the reason for the omission at the Zocalo for the GLBT community because there were families with children present. Give me a break but this sounds very typical for Mexico.

Though the GLBT community was allowed its Marcha, parade, by the local government, there was discrimination at the end. But the high spirits of the GLBT community was not in anyway trampled. At the end of the Marcha a moment of silence was held in memory of the Marcha creator, Miguel Fausto Netzahualcoyotal Landa, who was not able to attend this years March because he had passed away due to AIDS. After the moment of silence there was a rather large applause for Miguel.

After being in the presence of so many enthusiastic young Mexican GLBT people showing their Out of the Closet pride in a such a wonderful parade I was disappointed I did not get the opportunity to meet Miguel. He really started something wonderful in this very small community and in the Republic of México. People are tired of living in the closet and in Tlaxcala it showed.

As I left the city, and was on the highway I turned to look back to see the city one more time and saw this rainbow coming out of Tlaxcala - No kidding! I think it was like a sort of a sign from Above, saying - I am With YOU and am taking care of you (OK, I agree I am being a little dramatic here, but what the hell, I am a drama queen!)

Most were also excited to be going to Mexico City for the LARGEST Pride March in Latin America which will be held Saturday, June 28, 2008. This will mark the 30th year anniversary and the march is titled, Marchnando por la Equidad. Parade starts at 12 NOON at the Angel of Independance on Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City's gay business district, La Zona Rosa.

Santo Gay