Ban on public events during Pope’s visit sparks row with LGBTQIA+ community

Buenos Aires City announced it would not allow any public events from November 6 to 13 due to Pope Leo XIV's visit to Argentina, which will occur between November 8 and 11. The decision has sparked controversy within the LGBTQIA+ community, as the annual Pride celebration, traditionally scheduled for the first Saturday in November, is set to take place on November 7, the day before the Pope's arrival for a four-day itinerary in the country.

This would force the march to be postponed to November 21. Pride organizers rejected the postponement, emphasizing that it is more than just changing dates. They highlighted that thousands of people have already made travel arrangements and booked accommodations, and many groups, artists, and organizations have committed their time and resources.

The city government's decision was based on the Pope's visit being an "exceptional event" requiring extensive security measures and public resources. Pride organizers face significant challenges in postponing, as many have already booked venues and made commitments for the planned date. The closeness of the two events is particularly important for some LGBTQIA+ members, including those in the "Somos Centu" group, who planned to attend the march and welcome Pope Leo XIV.

While talks with city government officials are currently on hold, Pride organizers expressed hope that negotiations could resume following Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno's recent comments, which suggested the march was included in the security protocol and would not impact logistical planning.