[Lauchenoiria]

Lauchenoirian Guardian

Annual Pride parade takes place in Buttercity
8th June 2019

The annual LGBT+ Pride celebration took place in Buttercity today – following a cancellation last year due to the political crisis at the time. Thousands marched in the parade, which set off at 11:00 local time, which was followed by speeches and a celebration in Butterfly Park in the north of the city.

Speakers at the event included transgender rights activist Kai O’Malley, who is leading a campaign calling for legal recognition of non-binary genders and Jasper Atkins, an environmental campaigner and gay rights activist. Notably absent was Josephine Alvarez, who had been a fixture at Buttercity Pride since 2012. As the highest-profile lesbian politician in Lauchenoiria, many expected her to give a speech.

Groups attending the parade ranged from the Student Asexual & Aromantic Network, to a group of gay male Kerlian refugees who had to flee the matriarchal dictatorship, in which lesbian relationships are legal but the rights of gay men are frequently not recognised. A group of self-proclaimed ‘gender critical’ feminists, who do not support transgender rights, were denied entry to the parade.

Attendance was slightly lower than in 2017, and there was a notable increase in security, with police concerned the event could spark clashes between political opponents, in light of upcoming elections and the events of last year. A counter-protest held by a coalition of religious groups was attended by only 40 people and was kept away from the parade.

Celebrations in Butterfly Park are expected to continue until late at night, with under-18s being denied entry to the festivities from 8pm onwards. There is also an alternative event being held in a community hall in the south of the city which will not involve alcohol or loud music.