Parade to feature Straight Couples

From Eric Dondero:

Brazil's capitol city of São Paulo has taken an unusual step. The city council passed what's called "Straight Pride Day" to celebrate marriage between a man and a woman. It is set each year on the 3rd Sunday of December. The accompanying parade will take place in central São Paulo.

The measure was passed by the city council earlier this year, and according to various media, Mayor Gilberto Kassab is expected to add his signature this week.

From Globo.com (translated by LR Editor) "House approves SP Straight Pride Day":

The Municipality of São Paulo approved on Tuesday (2) the bill 294/2005, Alderman Carlos Apolinario (DEM), establishing in the town, the Straight Pride Day. The project depends only sanction of the mayor of São Paulo, Gilberto Kassab, to become law.

Some of the 39 councilors present spoke out against the project, but as there was no request for roll call vote, [it] not considered.

Not Anti-Gay, Just Pro-Male/Female Marriage says proponent

The sponsor of the bill, said it's not an anit-gay thing. Rather, it's against special rights for one community over another.

Author of the project, Councilman Carlos Apolinario said the bill is not against the gay community. "I appeal for respect for all humans including gays," he said. Apolinario said the project was only one way to speak out against "excesses and privileges" for the gay community. He said one of the privileges is the realization of LGBT Parade at Avenida Paulista while the March for Jesus was moved to the area north of the city.

Polls have consistently shown Brazilians to be overwhelmingly opposed to gay marriage and even civil unions. But liberal courts have overturned citizen-backed measures to stop gay marriage.

Ironically, Apolinario is affiliated with the Democrat Labor Party, a leftist populist party with strong ties to labor unions.

Photo - Brazilian soccer superstar Kaka and his wife Caroline are Christians and strong advocates of straight marriage. Photo credit - Padom.com.br