LGBTIQ flag in Casco Viejo raises protests

Panama’s LGBTIQ community plans a month of activities to raise awareness of the rights of the community leading up to the Gay Pride Parade on Saturday, June 30.

The events kicked off with the raising of the flag of sexual diversity in the Plaza de la Independencia, in Casco Viejo on Saturday, June 2 which immediately drew complaints from Catholic Church groups because of its proximity to the cathedral.

Panama’s mayor Jose Blandon, The First Lady, Lorena Castillo and ambassadors from several countries marched in the parade last year, but no representatives of church organizations were visible.

This year there will be a Festival “If there is Love, there is a Family” whose central theme is the family in all its diversity. Activities related to the Gay Pride march will be championed by the social activist, TV presenter, and actress, Gaby Gnazzo, who has publicly defended the right to equal marriage.