The same group that organized the march in defense of same-sex marriage last Saturday will host a series of lectures and debates next Tuesday and Wednesday regarding a series of matters:  human and gay rights, the separation between the Church and the State, the concept of family, and sexual diversity.

Activists and politicians closely involved in GLBT rights will speak during this event (including Rep. David Razú, who proposed the same-sex marriage bill). If you want to see the whole program you can click here.

Foro Derechos, ciudadanía y diversidad sexual, February 9th and 10th, 10 hrs., Comisión de Derechos Humanos del Distrito Federal, Av. Universidad No. 1449, Col. Florida, Phone number: 5229 5600.

This year, the gay parade in the Distrito Federal will be different. No queens and no kings showing off their dresses on a stage. Neither no ambassadors, nor sponsors targeting the gay community. The motto is Dignity and Pride.

Over the years, many political groups, and participants as well, have complained about the exaggerated festiveness of the parade. From their perspective, much of the political meaning of this act has disappeared–transforming it into a carnival where enterprises with mischievous intentions find the best chance to place their products in the largest GLBT community of Mexico.

To outline some of the context, the critics appear in a year of midterm congressional elections, when some Mexicans have joined to the voto nulo movement. This pacific protest promotes to deliberately render the ballots, and show how angry  the citizens are with the corruption that poisons the Mexican government. At the same time, less than a month ago Agustín Estrada Negrete was subject of a major expression of  homophobia from the government of the State of Mexico, which is a clear example of how the political system is rotten to its core. In this regard, only Enoé Uranga, one of the two openly-gay females candidates, has supported Estrada so far (the other is Lol Kin Castañeda).

So, this parade will probably show if modesty and solemnity are useful political weapons. If you want more information about all the ups and downs of the organization, check out directly with Red Orgullo 31, the group in charge of the logistics.

Gay Parade in Mexico City. Saturday, June 20th, 11 a.m., from the Ángel de la Independencia on Reforma Av. to Centro Histórico.  At 3 p.m. there will be a political public statement and some live music.