“City open to all” hoists LGBTI flag

In a symbolic action that marks the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, Porto city Hall joined Porto Pride and together hoisted the colours of the rainbow, LGBTI symbol, in Praça do General Humberto Delgado.

Underlining the “great symbolism” of the moment, the Mayor of Porto believes that the issues related to the LGBTI community are, essentially, “a matter of tolerance”.

In an interview with Porto Canal after the rainbow flag was hoisted, Rui Moreira stressed how “it is very important that the institutions – and the city hall in particular – associate themselves”. “It is an issue that has to do with Human Rights, with liberty, and also with the way the city is a city open to everyone”, considers the mayor.

On the part of the organization of the initiative, Diogo Vieira da Silva praised the association of the municipality and mentioned that the presence of the many political forces at the moment is proof of “an open and honest dialogue on how we can make a city from everyone to everyone”.

“We are demonstrating that gays, lesbians, bisexuals, trans, intersex people, not only those who visit the city, but those who live in Porto, are welcome and are part of the city”, he believes.

The request that reached to the Porto City Hall, from Porto Pride, the organization of LGBT+ Music Festival, Associação Plano i and VARIAÇÕES – Associação de Comércio e Turismo LGBT+ of Portugal, stated Rui Moreira at an executive meeting, “was if we would authorize the installation of a mast. We said that not only did we authorize it, but we would place the mast on”

And so, on this International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, Porto wears the colours of the rainbow, helping to raise awareness of violence, discrimination, and repression of LGBT+ communities around the world.