São Paulo participates in the foundation of first Latin American cities network for the LGBT community

In recognition of its public policies towards the guarantee of LGBT rights, São Paulo was the only Brazilian city to participate in the foundation meeting of the Red Latinoamericana de Ciudades Arcoíris (RLCA, meaning Latin-American Rainbow Cities Network) in May 30, in Mexico City.

 

(Meeting of the Red Latinoamericana de Ciudades Arcoíris in Mexico City)

The network aims to exchange experiences and good practices for the guarantee of LGBT rights between cities. Bogotá and Medellín (Colombia), Montevideo (Uruguay), and Buenos Aires (Argentina) are also members of the network. The Coordinator of LGBT Policies of the Municipal Secretariat of Human Rights and Citizenship of São Paulo, Ivan Batista, represented the city during the meeting and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the organization.

The cities of Quito (Ecuador) and Asunción (Paraguay) are observer members and expecting to be full members in the future.

According to Ivan Batista, it is necessary that cities from Latin America are more intertwined and looking together for solutions in the fight against inequality and prejudice against LGBT people. “It is necessary that these various realities inside Latin America connect to look for common solutions in the fight against inequality and prejudice”, he explains.

The adhesion of São Paulo to the RLCA reaffirms the city’s commitment to the promotion of human rights and the exchange of good practices for the integration of the LGBT community.

São Paulo is a pioneer in LGBT policies. In 2005, it became the first Brazilian city to establish a municipal coordination dedicated to the LGBT community.