The LGBTI+Rio Parade boosts the economy of the city and state, through tax collection, and this needs to be recognized by governments. The claim comes from the president of Grupo Arco Íris, founder and organizer of the event, Cláudio Nascimento.
“We have economic benefits for the city. Data from the Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing shows that, on average, the city receives between R$25 million and R$30 million from tax collection. So, soon, the stop also forms the public budget. We just want a piece of our own investment. We are not asking for alms from anyone. We want to be treated with dignity and be recognized”, he stated at the presentation press conference, shortly before the start of the parade on Copacabana Beach.
“Imagine the third biggest event in the city of Rio in terms of organization and support. We’re just not bigger than Carnival and New Year’s Eve. So, it’s time for the city hall, federal agencies and the federal government to invest again.” Cláudio Nascimento informed that he met with Mayor Eduardo Paes to discuss greater support from the municipal government for the LGBTI+Rio Parade.
“We asked him that, next year, this doesn’t happen again, we really need support to structure a parade that receives everyone who arrives here with dignity and support.”
Rio de Janeiro – The 29th edition of the LGBTI+ Pride Parade on Copacabana Beach. Photo Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil
Cláudio Nascimento said that with a week to go before the event, the organizers faced a lack of confirmation of financial support that was planned. “We need to make the city and the governments, the federal government as well, understand that even if there were no revenue raised, the federal government and all governments at the municipal and state levels would have a moral and political obligation to take on this agenda, which it is against prejudice and discrimination and helps to build a favorable climate for non-violence”.
As a way of raising funds to hold the parade, federal deputy Jandira Feghali (PC do B/RJ) defended the inclusion of the event in the city’s official calendar.
“This parade raises millions. It spends a little and raises a lot. So, it is very important that we parliamentarians, who are here, demand from our governments that it be on the official calendar, with financing, appreciation, recognition, so that we can stop pass saucers for it to happen. Recognition is necessary”, said Jandira, highlighting the art developed by the LGBTI+ population and remembering that he was a professional drummer for several years “When art enters a person’s life, it embodies power, transforms values and changes things. human relations.”
The deputy wore a blouse with the text: Democracy I cultivate. In his opinion, the union of these people and their social movements is the greatest democratic expression that Brazil can see. “Because it is the right to be, to exist, to have rights and the recognition of how diverse this society is, said Jandira, who highlighted the importance of the Arco Íris Group in the fight for LGBTI+ rights in Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro – The 29th edition of the LGBTI+ Pride Parade on Copacabana Beach. Photo Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil
Councilor Mônica Benício (PSOL) highlighted that many people have no idea how challenging it is to put a stop of this type on the street, which is why she thanked the Arco Íris Group, which has led Cláudio Nascimento over the years to present demands and better conditions for life of this portion of the Brazilian population.
“We don’t take steps back, not even to gain momentum. For so many people who made it possible for us to get here, we will continue at the City Council, we are presenting a project that will make the parade a landmark of cultural and historical interest for the city, because we want visibility, public policy and for that it has to be in the budget. We are not asking any favors from this city or the government. We are within the budget, moving the city, so we will continue to demand for Marielle, for David Miranda and for many, many others”, stated the widow of councilor Marielle Franco, who was greeted several times by those who followed the parade.
Family support
The actor, singer, songwriter and drag queen Diego Martins, who is part of the artistic presentations at the event, said that he considers himself an exception in the country because he has had the support of his family since he was a child. “This was understood by my family from an early age. I know it is a privilege and an exception, unfortunately, because it is not the life story of most of my friends in our community”, he reported.
Rio de Janeiro – 29th edition of the LGBTI+ Pride Parade on Copacabana Beach. Photo Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil
For Jovanna Baby, founder of the National Forum of Black Transvestites and Transsexuals (Fonatrans), which started the trans movement in Rio de Janeiro in the 90s, currently having so many parliamentarians who are part of the LGBTI+ population is a reparation. “It’s a historic reparation. We only had, 30 years ago, Jurema Batista in the City Council, Marcelo Dias, state deputy and Carlos Santana, federal deputy. We have already had a big revolution, which has become this here”, he stated.
During three moments of the press conference there was a performance by Coro Arco Íris por Prazer, who sang songs such as Salt of the Earth and Fire Signsin honor of the singer Preta Gil who is undergoing cancer treatment and was unable to be present at this edition of the event.
