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On Saturday afternoon, the streets of Lima saw LGBTQ+ people walking arm in arm, kissing and embracing to say: never again to homophobia. Every year they gather and march to the Plaza Mayor despite police interference. Presentes was there.

Photos: Esteban M. Marchand

Every year, on the Saturday closest to February 14, Love and Friendship Day in Peru, activists organize an event that promotes the visibility of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer community.

This Saturday the 11th, “Kisses and hugs against Homo Lesbo Bi Trans Phobia” once again brought together dozens of people to show that love is a very powerful weapon, even against the police, who often repress these demonstrations in Lima.

The initial gathering was in La Merced square. At four in the afternoon, the assembled activists began marching towards the Plaza Mayor.

“It is every citizen’s right to move freely and use the streets of their city. When using public space, one should never be discriminated against for any reason, not even for gender identity or sexual orientation. We shouldn’t question our expressions of affection; we should question violence and discrimination,” activist Mayu Flores Presentes

[READ ALSO: #PERU: First map of the LGBTI population published ]

The police closed the square

The march to the Plaza Mayor was peaceful. About twenty activists walked steadily toward this part of the city to demonstrate their support. A block from their destination, a police officer stopped them and stated that his institution 'respected all forms of opinion' but that access to the plaza was restricted due to other scheduled activities.

To avoid provoking acts of violence like those that occurred last year, the activists fully complied with the instructions given and exchanged a few kisses on the edge of the square.

After the symbolic act, the event organizers called on the participants to march and chant towards Plaza San Martín (a historic location where many political events conclude). “Homophobia never again” was the most repeated chant.

[READ ALSO: #Peru: President PPK opposes same-sex marriage ]

During the march, a group of evangelicals were handing out hugs. Setting aside prejudices, many of them exchanged hugs with members of the community.

“There’s a world out there”

It was in San Martín Square where the most people were encouraged to show affection, starting the kissing.

For activist Shony Limaylla, it is important that gay, bisexual, trans and queer people who are still hiding know that there is a world out there where people will support them.

Criticism and insults

For Limaylla, it's a disgrace that so many police officers were deployed to protect a display of affection. “The police should be protecting us from social insecurity, from corrupt officials, from femicide perpetrators. They shouldn't be protecting people who are simply promoting love,” she commented.

During the kissing in San Martín Square, some insults were heard. However, prior to the event, social media was also flooded with criticism from members of the LGBTQ+ community who protested, considering it a "provocative and unnecessary" act.

[READ ALSO: #Peru: Police beat and abused him for being gay: he went to the IACHR ]

The difficulty of exercising rights

“We’ve been taught an idea of ​​inferiority, of acting in secret so that we’ll be respected, and that’s completely wrong because we should be respected because we are human beings. Many people don’t understand that, they don’t understand it in a country that is sexist, racist, homophobic, authoritarian, and corrupt, where it’s difficult to exercise rights, especially for minorities,” said activist Verónica Ferrari.

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