September 13, 2016 | Sex & Society

Mexicans hit street to protest (and support) gay marriage

On Saturday, an estimated 300,000 Mexicans in sixteen cities marched against recent advances for equal marriage. Currently, gay marriage is allowed in nine of the country’s 31 states.

President Enrique Pena Nieto proposed to legalize same-sex marriage in Mexico in May, which would enshrine  a 2015 Supreme Court ruling that it was unconstitutional for states to bar same sex couples from marrying. 

The most iconic moment for gay rights advocates was when a twelve-year-old boy rushed in front of an oncoming march in Celaya, Guanajuato, hoping to stop the demonstrators in their tracks. He was led off and the march continued, though not before photos of his brave stand were taken, that later went viral.

He told a journalist that "I have an uncle who is gay and I hate that people hate."

Counter demonstrations in favor of marriage equality were held in many cities on Sunday.
It may take time, but love will conquer ignorance in Mexico, too.