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Photos and text: Esteban Marchand, from Lima 

For many it was a day of struggle, for others a day of resistance, and for still others simply a day of celebration commemorating International LGBTI+ Pride Day. On Saturday, thousands of people took to the streets of Lima to march in a country where, while there has been no progress in rights, the visibility of diversity is growing.

In Peru, there is no law on same-sex marriage or gender identity, and there have even been legislative changes to repeal laws that protected diverse gender identities . That's why it was important to take to the streets once again and gather at Campo de Marte in Jesús de María for the 17th LGBTI Pride March.

[READ ALSO: Peru: Congress approved the repeal of Decree Law 1323 that protected the LGBTI population]

Following a regional trend (Mexico, Brazil, Santiago, Chile), this year saw greater participation from sponsoring companies. There were groups of companies that previously only expressed their support through social media.

From 2:00 PM, a large crowd gathered on Avenida de La Peruanidad, and according to the organizers, 50,000 people attended. On stage were folk singer Amanda Portales, Kanelons y sus Burbulokas (impersonators from the TV show 'Yo Soy'), and local drag queens like Tany de La Riva. Congressmen Alberto De Belaúnde, Carlos Bruce, and Indira Huilca were also present. At the end of the march, they gave a speech highlighting the lack of rights and the limited progress made by the government.

[READ ALSO: #HateCrimes2017 Peru: main violence against LGBTIQ+, from the State]

drag queen told Presentes . This is her first year marching in drag.

“Today I march to express my freedom, for equality,” Manuel Omaintre.

Around four in the afternoon, ordinary people and organizations began to parade along Guzmán Blanco, Paseo Colón, Garcilaso de la Vega, and Nicolás de Piérola avenues, culminating in Plaza San Martín.

Some were chanting: “These aren’t favors, they’re my rights,” “Get your rosary out of my ovaries, get your holy card out of my vagina”; while others were dancing and celebrating next to some floats with speakers to get the party started.

“What I want is a free country, without discrimination and with equal opportunities for all. There must be respect for all vulnerable populations,” said Ángela Villón, a sex worker and activist.

“I’m here because my sister-in-law is part of the community. I don’t see anything wrong with that, and that’s why I came with my daughter so she can learn about equality. That will allow us to grow as a society,” said Daniel Cavero.

“Today I march for those who cannot march, for trans men who may not even know they exist. I march to make our existence and demands visible, to be able to say that we need a law that recognizes trans identities. And we march because we are proud to be ourselves and to love ourselves,” said trans activist Santiago Balvín.

“Today I march for the vindication of the rights of Peruvian trans women. We are standing up, resisting and demanding that the Peruvian State recognize our rights,” Hally Silvana, trans activist in Féminas.

“I march today for unity and because we are all important,” Ladrón de Guevara, artist and designer.

This year, corporate participation was higher than in previous years, with groups of companies such as American Airlines, IBM, Scotiabank Peru, and Beat. Previously, many of these companies only expressed their support through social media.

“I’m marching today because I believe that all people should be treated equally, regardless of whether we have the same tastes, the same preferences, or whatever others want to call them. There is someone I love who doesn’t have the same orientation as me, and I’m here for her,” Antuanette Alcalán.

“Today I march for equality, for love, and for justice. My brother is gay, and he has been marching and fighting for this issue, and I am here to support him,” Rodrigo Villanueva.

“Today is our annual celebration, where we all come together and show everyone that love is love. The protest and the struggle must be all year round, but today is our celebration,” Kira Stockholm.

“I am marching for every child who has felt insecure for being different, for every teenager who has had to silently endure being told that homosexuality and transsexuality are sins. I am marching for every couple who, no matter how much they loved each other, were not treated equally. I am marching for every trans man and woman who, even in 2018, still do not have an ID card that identifies them. I am marching because we are on the verge of achieving the equality we so deeply desire,” Alberto de Belaunde told Presentes.