They commemorated the «Baile de los 41» police raid of November 17, 1901.
Participants in the painting of a crosswalk with the colors of the community flag (Johnny Cobián, Noemí Martínez, Delfina Zamora, Cinthia Martínez, Jose Luis Ibarra, and Vanesa Sandoval). Photo: Sofía Medeles
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- Gay activists painted a zebra crossing with the colors of the rainbow flag Wednesday to make the LGBTTTIQ+ community visible in Lakeside.
Before painting the crosswalk, General director of Guadalajara Pride, Johnny Cobian explained that they were not doing a simple painting, but a political disobedience, a form of protest to tell the residents of Lakeside that they are there, they want to be visible, and, above all, to be respected.
«This action is also to tell our sisters and brothers that they are not alone, because there are those who do not dare to express their sexuality out of fear, so we want to tell them that here we are, fighting shoulder to shoulder, which is one of the objectives of this proud first year in Ajijic, and although they are few, the most important marches began with 10 people. In the future, this will be much bigger than today,» said Cobian.
The action was held in November instead of during the June festivities of the LGBTTTIQ+ community because it celebrated an important event to the Mexican Gay community, the so-called «Dance of the 41», a police raid that took place on November 17, 1901, to arrest a group of 42 men in dresses and ball gowns at a dance., including Ignacio de la Torre y Mier, son-in-law of the then president, Porfirio Diaz, who was spared.
The activists invited the people of Chapala both inside and outside the movement to the parade on Saturday, November 20, starting at 4 p.m. in Chapala starting at Cristianía Park and marching through the city to a small festival.
Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan
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