Santiago Pride March Becomes Protest Against Chilean President
Thousands marched in Santiago's Pride parade, also protesting against new conservative President José Antonio Kast. LGBTQ+ activists fear his government may roll back hard-won rights in Chile.
In Chile, the annual Pride march in Santiago became more than a celebration. Thousands of LGBTQ+ people and allies took to the streets. They also used the march to protest against the new Chilean president, José Antonio Kast.
José Antonio Kast took office in March. He is known for his conservative and right-wing views. Many LGBTQ+ people in Chile are worried about their rights. They fear that Kast's government will roll back LGBTQ+ protections.
During the march, participants carried signs and banners. Many signs were directed at President Kast. The crowd was large and the atmosphere was energetic. People chanted slogans supporting LGBTQ+ equality. They also called on the government to protect their rights.
Chile has made some progress on LGBTQ+ rights in recent years. Same-sex civil unions have been legal since 2015. However, full marriage equality has not yet been achieved. Many activists want the new government to support further progress. Instead, they fear steps backward under Kast's leadership.
LGBTQ+ organizations in Chile expressed concern before the march. They warned that Kast's policies could harm the community. His past statements have been critical of same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ adoption rights. This has made many in the community feel unsafe and unrepresented.
The Santiago Pride march is held every year. It is one of the biggest LGBTQ+ events in Latin America. This year, the political context gave the event extra meaning. Participants said they wanted to send a clear message to the government. They demanded respect, equality, and protection under the law.
International LGBTQ+ groups also watched the march closely. They showed solidarity with Chilean activists. Human rights organizations called on the Kast government to uphold LGBTQ+ rights. They reminded the government of Chile's international human rights obligations.
The march ended peacefully. Organizers called it a success. They said the strong turnout showed that the LGBTQ+ community in Chile is visible and united. Activists promised to keep pushing for equal rights, no matter who is in power.