Rio De Janeiro, Brazil: Thousands of Brazilians took part Sunday in Rio de Janeiro's 19th Gay pride parade, speaking out against homophobia in a country that has seen years of violence targeting the gay community.
Under the slogan "A million voices!," gays, lesbians, transvestites, transsexuals and supporters marched along Copacabana beach.
"It is important that the population understands their rights and they express themselves against homophobia," said Carlos Tufvesson, one of the event organizers.
More than a million people were expected for the event, organizers said.
Brazil recorded 312 murders of people in the gay community in 2013. The country averages about 300 murders motivated by sexual orientation a year.
The violence prompted rights group Grupo Gay da Bahia to label the country "the world champion of homophobic crimes."
Around 40 percent of recorded crimes against gays in South America occur in Brazil.
For years lawmakers in the Catholic and socially-conservative country have opposed a bill to criminalize homophobia.
But recently the country's highest court has taken steps in favor of gay rights.
In 2011, the Supreme Court recognized gay unions which are afforded the same rights as heterosexual couples.
The Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that public institutions could not reject gay marriage applications.
Under the slogan "A million voices!," gays, lesbians, transvestites, transsexuals and supporters marched along Copacabana beach.
"It is important that the population understands their rights and they express themselves against homophobia," said Carlos Tufvesson, one of the event organizers.
Brazil recorded 312 murders of people in the gay community in 2013. The country averages about 300 murders motivated by sexual orientation a year.
Advertisement
Around 40 percent of recorded crimes against gays in South America occur in Brazil.
Advertisement
But recently the country's highest court has taken steps in favor of gay rights.
Advertisement
The Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that public institutions could not reject gay marriage applications.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Baby Killed, 15 Injured As Car Ploughs Through Crowd In Brazil's Copacabana Pope Francis Expected to Draw More Than a Million at Ecuador Mass Argentine Fans Face Brazil-Germany Alliance in Final Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms BJP Subtly Asking Ajit Pawar To Quit "Mahayuti": Sharad Pawar's NCP Biden Tests Positive For Covid As Age Worries Mount Biden Says Could Drop Election Bid If "Medical Condition" Emerged Russia Says It's Ready To Work With Any US Leader Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.