A Salvadoran LGBTQ organization–The Salvadoran Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexuals, Transgender and Intersex Federation—recently lit up the front of the El Salvadoran National Palace in Pride rainbow lights.
The lighting, which began on June 7, happened with the approval of the Ministry of Culture.
The National Palace is located in Barrios Square, in the Historic Center in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador. The square has a long history of being a forum for public and political demonstration.
Following the lighting, fifteen organizations comprising the LGBTTI Federation performed a rendition of the national anthem.
According to the host organization, the Episcopal Church of El Salvador’s Diversity Ministry, “The illumination of the front columns of this building with the colors of the flag that represents the LGBTI community around the world may seem banal to some … This will not change lives; but we hope it becomes a message of reflection, of struggles and hope for people who have suffered injustices because of a lack human rights due to their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression. Resignation of this reality is no longer an option.”
The event took a year of planning. The lighting will continue until June 30, the day of San Salvador’s yearly Pride parade.