Pride in La Paz

This past weekend, a friend and I stumbled upon the La Paz Pride parade. Five minutes later, we found ourselves marching alongside drag queens, rainbow painted people, and floats turned moving discotecas.  At first I was a bit like, "I hope no one minds we're here waving our little flags." But as usual the LGBT community was supportive and happy to have us in the parade. In fact, many people smiled and laughed with us as we bumped down the Prado, La Paz's main avenue in the center of town.  Immediately I thought, the LGBT community doesn't operate along national borders. There are no strangers here. And so, like that, the Bolivian LGBT community danced with a couple gringas who wanted to support love.

Watching the spectators on the side was my favorite part. All walks of life showed out for the parade. I saw cholitas, families, small children, old people, and of course supporters decked out in rainbow costumes. Both sides of the street had people at least two rows deep throughout the entire route.  Some were waving small rainbow flags given to them from participants, and some were watching solemnly probably not knowing what to think. At the end of the parade, we passed a lit stage with the mayor of La Paz and other important representatives from around the city.  After the parade,  someone gave a speech on the lack of rights for the LGBT community in Bolivia and called for respect for all persons no matter their sexual identity.  Which, you guessed it, got me thinking...

How have machismo and the Catholic Church influenced the LGBT presence in Bolivia? There weren't any protesters at the parade, but there weren't many "whoo gay rights!!" people either. Yet, I've still seen homophobia and a strict adherence to gender roles. Same-sex marriage isn't legal in Bolivia, either. I wonder how successful the LGBT community is here in vying for their rights, when no really seems to care either for or against. I'm excited to talk to more people and learn what the LGBT community's role is like here.