This account belongs to a series of articles commissioned by the Council of Global Unions (CGU) LGBTI Committee to share organising success stories from our member unions. This article has been written by Deiby Porras, Co-Coordinator of the Public Services International (PSI)’s Global LGBTIQ+ Committee.
On 22 July, representing the Inter-American Committee of LGBTIQA+ Workers, and together with comrade Madrline Northam, in our role as Co-Coordinators of the PSI Global LGBTIQ+ Committee, we participated—alongside our affiliated unions in Brazil—in São Paulo Pride, one of the largest demonstrations in the world for LGBTIQA+ rights.
Under the slogan “Aging with Pride,” this year’s Pride highlighted the urgent need to ensure that sexually diverse people can grow older with dignity, equal opportunities, decent working conditions, and a full and respected life at every stage.
São Paulo Pride, recognized as one of the largest social movements in the world, is not only a parade but also a space that brings together a wide agenda of cultural, political, and advocacy activities. These include the Lesbian March and, for the first time in history, the First March of LGBTIQA+ Workers, also held in the city of São Paulo—a milestone that underscores the intersection of labor rights and sexual and gender diversity.
Our participation reaffirms PSI’s commitment—both at the regional and global levels—to defending the human, labor, and social rights of LGBTIQA+ people, while promoting spaces for collective struggle, international solidarity, and transformative action.