Despite some of the countries in the region having some of the highest rates of homophobic and transphobic violence and there still being a long way to go in terms of rights and representation in Latin America, the LGBTQ+ community exists and resists.

This year, virtually or in-person, the region has celebrated Pride Month in style.  

As part of the central day of Pride, this weekend, Latin America was full of color in the streets, protest marches, music, ballroom, and many cultural and artistic expressions starring the community. Here's what happened in some cities:

Peru organized decentralized marches throughout the country, coast, Andes and jungle for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. The most important concentration took place in the capital, Lima, with the festival, #ResisteBebita: 

In Colombia, a 200-meter-long  LGBTQ+ pride flag was unfurled along the Gran Malecon del Rio in Barranquilla, becoming the longest flag in all of Latin America to welcome the central day of the celebration. The flag was made by members of the city's LGBTQ+ community, migrants and refugees with the intention of sending a message of equality before society.

"We have not advanced as we would like. While there is greater visibility, we are concerned about three things: high figures of violence with 14 homicides against LGBTQ+ members in the region, of which seven have been in the metropolitan area of Barranquilla. Also, poverty has worsened in our community during the pandemic and the city has not activated protection policies for LGBTQ+ people."

In Mexico, this year's traditional Pride Month celebration was held virtually, and national organizations and committees joined forces with the Mexico City National Committee to organize the virtual event on June 25, 26 and 27.  

In the region, unfortunately, there are terrible figures regarding the protection of rights for the LGBTQ+ community, and the commemoration of the visibility of the constant struggle to win them was the celebration's focal point.