Buenos Aires Gay Pride Parade

Next week, on the 10^th of November to be exact, the centre of Buenos Aires will be taken over by a colourful and cheerful mass of people: The Buenos Aires Gay Pride is coming to town, which brings together thousands of people ever year – in 2011, 250 thousand joined the fun. This is a highlight on the Buenos Aires LGBT cultural calendar and cannot be missed! [caption id="attachment_6296" align="alignnone" width="640"] / source[/caption] For those of you who won’t be in town in time for the Buenos Aires gay pride, we’ve also prepared a guide on the best gay clubs and bars in Buenos Aires, so whatever time of year you travel to Buenos Aires, you’ll be sure to be up to date on what’s happening in the Buenos Aires gay scene. Who knows, why not go all out and take advantage of the new law that allows same sex couples who are travelling to Buenos Aires to tie the knot?

Buenos Aires Gay Pride Parade

Unlike in other parts of the world, where events like this are commonly known as gay parades, in Argentina it’s known as a marcha (march). After all Argentina is a country known for its passion for demonstrations and political protests and the Buenos Aires Gay Parade subsequently became a march, with political discourses and speeches being an integral part of the Buenos Aires Gay Pride. (Obviously all over the world, the initial political motivation for the Gay Parade is never absent, however in Argentina this aspect remains at the forefront.) [caption id="attachment_6298" align="alignnone" width="640"] / source[/caption] The Gay Pride March usually takes place on the first Saturday in November (this year it will take place on the 10^thNovember) as a tribute to the first gay association formed in Buenos Aires, in 1969. This year the Buenos Aires Gay Pride celebrates its 21^st year. The first one took place on the 2^ndJuly 1992, when no more than 300 people joined the parade through Buenos Aires’ centre – half of them wearing masks, due to the high level of prejudice that still existed at the time. Since then it has become a huge tradition in Buenos Aires, the party starting at 3pm with the so-called Feria de Orgullo (Pride Market) on Plaza de Mayo. At 6pm, the parade officially begins and participants march along the Avenida de Mayo with flags and decorated vehicle, until reaching Plaza del Congreso. Once there, the party continues with bands performing and political speeches. One of the most awaited moments of the night is the traditional collective booing of people who are famously against gay rights – last year it was directed at representatives of the Catholic Church, at the ex-president Eduardo Duhalde and at the current governor of Buenos Aires, Mauricio Macri.

Gay marriage for tourists

In 2010, Argentina already gave same sex couples the right to tie the knot by a civil union, which was a huge political advance for Latin America. In May this year, the law was extended to tourists travelling to Buenos Aires. Meaning, the city council allows gay couples to wed in civil partnership, while on vacation in Buenos Aires. Those who want to take advantage of this new law, have to hand in an application for civil partnership at a registry office in Buenos Aires, with proof of identity (ID card or passport)and proof of address in the city (which in this case, can be a hotel, hostel or rental apartment you’re staying in). Five days later, you’re ready to wed! Although it has to be noted, the civil partnership will only be legally valid outside Argentina – if your own country recognizes same sex civil unions.

LGBT Hotspots in Buenos Aires

Now, if you want to the opposite, and celebrate sweet singledom on your vacation to Buenos Aires – a city considered the Gay Mecca of Latin America– here’s a list of the best porteño gay spots:

Accommodation:

Axel: A sophisticated hotel in San Telmo, which defines itself as hetero-friendly(brilliant, no?) and is part of a larger network of gay hotels, which has hotels in Berlin, Barcelona and Maspalomas in Spain. Their summer pool parties are famous amongst tourists as well as locals. The pool bar is open to the public. [caption id="attachment_6299" align="alignnone" width="640"] Pool party at Axel. / source[/caption] Lugar gay:  The first gay bed &breakfast in Buenos Aires also located in San Telmo, exclusively for men. They also offer tango classes in La Marshal (a gay Milonga), with staff who are fluent in English and Portuguese. Friendly Apartments: A business specialized in short term apartment rental in Recoleta for gay travellers. They offer additional discounts with various companies, like saunas and LGBT tourism agencies.

LGBT Nightlife:

Out and about Pub Crawl: A bar marathon which has a long tradition amongst tourists visiting Buenos Aires now has its own version for the gay audience. You’ll visit three of Buenos Aires best gay bars, get free drinks and discounts in every one, ending the night in one of Buenos Aires best gay night clubs.(without having to queue or pay entry!). The Buenos Aires gay pub-crawl meets on Thursdays and Saturdays. It’s an ideal night out for lone travellers, who want to meet fellow travellers and locals, while discovering the best of Buenos Aires’ Gay scene. Human: Only open during the summer months, but nevertheless a huge success. It’s location in the Costanera Norte and its stunning terrace overlooking the Rio de la Plata, give it an incredible view. It is huge, with two dance floors and like most gay clubs in Buenos Aires full to the brim! Glam: This is a smaller venue and can be jam packed, mainly due to its reputation for being THE bar where Buenos Aires’ most handsome men meet – most of them between the ages of 20 and 30. Fiesta Jolie: One of the few lesbian and bisexual nights in Buenos Aires. Began as a meeting between members of the social networking site Jolie for women, and has grown into a full-blown weekly party, which takes place every Thursday in Bar Jolie – it even has karaoke. Amerika: The largest gay night club in Latin America that has a very mixed public and even attracts a few heteros on Fridays and Saturdays, when entry costs ARS $ 100 and there’s a free bar all night. The club has two dance floors and has a capacity for a whopping 2000 people (Nevertheless it fills up quickly, best to get there before 2am). [caption id="attachment_6300" align="alignnone" width="640"] Amerika - Latin America´s largest gay nightclub. / source[/caption] Note: for information on parties, visit the page of the Buenos Aires Gay Guide. On their site, you’ll also find tips on gay bars, gay restaurants and much many more activities on the Buenos Aires LGBT cultural agenda.