Tens of Thousands Take Part in Gay Pride Parade in Mexico City

For a city that has struggled with homophobia, it was some sight as over 50,000 people took part in a gay pride march across Mexico City calling for an end to discrimination against same sex couples.

"While there have been some gains made, there still is not enough respect; progress needs to be made on homophobia," said Kiendra Penelope, 40, a cross-dressing dental surgeon.

Istanbul Gay Pride Parade Celebrated!
To celebrate the Gay parade in Istanbul, an event that has taken political significance from anti-government protests, tens of thousands of people took to the streets

The march was part of similar demonstrations taking place around the region and across the world this weekend.

The sexual orientation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people is the third most common cause of discrimination reported to authorities in Mexico's sprawling capital, according to the Anti-Discrimination Council.

Mexico City legalized same-sex marriage in 2009, but only two other states, of 32, so far have followed its lead.

China's First Gay Pride Event Will Lack the Fanfare
China's first Gay Pride event, organised by Shanghai's English-speaking expatriates, has been quietly celebrating homosexuality this week with no hint of a parade or advertising hype.

Yet in 2012, Mexico had one of the worst rates of hate crimes against LGBT people, due to their orientation since 1995.

A total of 86 LGBT people were killed in crimes authorities said were due to homophobia, a study by the People's Coalition Against anti-Gay Hate Crimes.

Smartphone Apps Used for Gay Sex Linked to Disease Risk
Researchers said that gay men who use smartphone apps to hunt for a sex partner nearby run a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted disease than those meeting online or in bars.

Source-AFP