Argentines march for LGBTQ pride, against govt-fueled 'hate'

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA- Thousands of people joined Argentina's 34th annual LGBTQ Pride march on Saturday, taking to the streets of Buenos Aires in a show of solidarity and protest against right-wing President Javier Milei.

Under the slogan "Against hate and violence: more pride and unity," the parade marched from the Plaza de Mayo, the city's main square, to the National Congress.

"These days, with the current government, there is a lot of hate. You can see it in the streets and on social media," Nahuel Vassallo, a 22-year-old university student, told AFP.

"That's why standing here to defend our rights and who we are is so key."

Dozens of floats peppered the march alongside participants ranging from families and activists to students and tourists.

One stage of the march played a video from British singer Dua Lipa, who is performing in Buenos Aires next week, sending her well-wishes and support.

Since taking office in December 2023, Milei has taken steps to roll back protections for LGBTQ people in Argentina, such as eliminating a ministry overseeing gender issues and dissolving a national anti-discrimination body.

"This dismantling is happening in the context of a rise in hateful and violent rhetoric, including from the highest authorities in the country," said Maria Paula Garcia, coordinator of Equality and Diversity at Amnesty International Argentina.

Some of the signs on display at the march read: "There's no pride without justice."

Hate crimes against LGBTQ individuals increased by 70 percent in Argentina during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to the National Observatory of LGBT+ Hate Crimes.

In May 2024, in an attack targeting lesbians, a man in Buenos Aires killed three women with an improvised explosive device.

"I feel like it's more dangerous for us now," said 22-year-old Karina Fernandez, one of the participants in Saturday's march.

"The climate is more tense."