In this 2024 edition of the “Pride Vallarta” Gay Pride parade, there was less attendance due to the schedule change
The already traditional gay pride parade “Prida Vallarta 2024” took place this Saturday, with the usual color and festive atmosphere, but in this 11th edition they changed the schedule, from taking place in the afternoon-evening now the call was at 10:00 in the morning, however, it started an hour late and the decrease in its contingents was noticeable, even several hotels, discos and emblematic clubs of the Romantic Zone did not participate, the number of spectators was also lower.
Gay parade.
It turned out that the organizers decided to advance the schedule, based on the fact that in the United States the “prides” are in the morning, however, there were comments of disagreement because it was already a custom to take place in the afternoon, in addition to the fact that many Vallarta residents who work early and Tourists stay up late at parties and clubs.
Even some merchants were affected, for example, Claudia Paola, who comes from Guadalajara every year to sell the rainbow flags that her father makes, this year her sales dropped almost by half.
“It’s a little calmer than other years, but there is still movement… it has changed a lot compared to other occasions, sales dropped by 40%… today was worse, everyone arrives sleepless from the parties last night, barely They arrive, tired and they still have the mentality that it was going to be at a certain time until they changed it, many people don’t know what it was at this time,” he said while carrying dozens of flags of different sizes, since he said there were almost no sales.
The parade is already anticipated, since Puerto Vallarta is considered the Capital of Sexual Diversity of Mexico and is one of the main attractions of the “Pride 2024” week, which on this occasion raised the motto “No one left behind, justice, equality and freedom for all.”
They formed on Francisco Medina Ascencio Boulevard, in the northern hotel zone, they walked along México Avenue, Malecón, Morelos Ignacio L. Vallarta, Basilio Badillo and Olas Altas, they concluded at Plaza Lázaro Cárdenas, which was privatized all week with comings and goings. There was a charge to enter despite it being a public park.
Balloons, feathers, crowns, fans, rainbow flags, colorful necklaces, daring clothing and lots of joy predominated. According to the regional director of Jalisco Civil Protection, Cecilia Blanca Becerra Marín, 59 vehicles participated in the parade and approximately 15 thousand people, including those who marched and were spectators.
At the front was the internationally renowned transsexual activist, Kenya Cuevas, with the “Ambassador of the LGTB Community” band. On this occasion, neither the Public Security police nor the Municipal Government contingent paraded; it was already customary that they would participate with their banner. For an Inclusive Vallarta and support for LGBTTTIQ+ rights”, today only a contingent and float from the Vallartense Institute of Culture were seen, however, a large group from the Citizen Movement party and the former mayor, Arturo Dávalos with his family participated.
This year the number of cars was also lower, but their creativity and striking costumes were the same; there were queens, gogos dancing, strippers, tourists and locals dancing. Contingents from bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, travel agencies, groups, associations, real estate and tours dedicated to the gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual community participated.
Among the organizers was Samantha Kristal Bautista Mora on staff, who acknowledged that the number of participants decreased, and highlighted that the program that day was intense on Los Muertos beach and the streets of the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood, until early Sunday morning.
“I see a lot of very happy people, a lot of brands, a lot of fun, it is true that if we have fewer people than on other occasions, especially because of the schedule, we are used to this parade being held in the afternoon, this time we decided to do it in the morning because not only do we have the parade, it ends in Plaza Lázaro Cárdenas and we continue with what is our Pride Sun Festival, there we will have stages, different celebrities,” explained Samantha, who was carrying a megaphone in her hand to order the column. .
The tour lasted about an hour, and the hubbub continued in the Romantic Zone, groups could be seen from: Canada, the United States, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Spain, Peru and Ecuador, as well as from different parts of the republic, mainly from : Mexico City, Monterrey, Aguascalientes, León, Chihuahua, Morelia, Puebla, Ciudad Juárez, Tepic and Guadalajara.
Source: tribunaldelabahia
