Rio’s LGBTI+ parade prepares to return to Copacabana in November with giant rainbow flag

After financial difficulties and a two-year pandemic, the LGBTI+ Parade at Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro will once again grace the shores this November 27, the Rainbow Group of LGBTI+ Citizenship, organizer of the event, announced this week.

The organization’s president, Cláudio Nascimento, stressed that this year’s event would play a unique role for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transvestite, and intersex people as the pandemic has been a time of increased violence and inequalities.

In addition to announcing the date of the 27th edition of the parade this year, the Rainbow Group announced that the 28th edition will be held in 2023 on September 24.

Nascimento explained that the idea is to create more credibility and allow the population, tourists, and the tourism industry to program themselves.

The last editions of the parade in 2017, 2018, and 2019 faced financial difficulties caused by canceling sponsorship and support from Rio de Janeiro.

The program of this year’s parade includes cultural activities throughout November, such as cinema, theater, and music performances, as well as discussions on various topics such as the economy, politics, and culture.

One of the novelties, which is still kept secret, is the parade’s giant rainbow flag, 124 meters long and 10 meters wide.

In addition to the support of the city government, Cláudio Nascimento is already in talks with private sponsors but believes that companies in Rio need to get more involved.

The Executive Coordination for Sexual Diversity (CEDS) coordinator of the Rio de Janeiro City Hall, Carlos Tufvesson, says he will meet with city agencies from different sectors to determine how to promote public policies during the parade.

The CEDS coordinator recalls that the LGBTI+ parade is a moment of struggle against prejudice and discrimination and for a country with more equal opportunities for all.

“I believe that, as we saw at Rock in Rio, the public will be there again at the parade,” he said.