MEXICO: 12 Year-Old Boy Tries To Block Anti-Gay Marriage March, Tells Press He Has A Gay Uncle

Andy Towle reports at Towleroad:

Across Mexico over the weekend, thousands of “pro-family” groups protested against same-sex marriage as the country moves toward marriage equality. In one particular march in Celaya, Guanajuato, a 12-year-old boy was photographed in the middle of the street trying to block the march of 11,000 people from moving forward.

Journalist Manuel Rodriguez captured an image that is instantly iconic. As the publication Regeneracion noted, we’ve seen one very similar shot in Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 1989. It’s reminiscent of the “tank man” image the world knows so well.

Said Rodriguez to Generacion: “At first I thought the child was only playing.” But Rodriguez interviewed the child later, who said, “I have an uncle who is gay and I hate the hatred.”

Same-sex marriage is legal and recognized in all of Mexico, but only nine of the nation’s 31 states have abolished their bans. In the remaining states gay couples must obtain a court ruling in order to marry. This weekend’s marches were in reaction to President Enrique Peña Nieto having signed an initiative to amend the Mexican constitution in order to override the states which still maintain their bans.

Another massive march is planned for September 24th in Mexico City and it will be attended by NOM president Brian Brown, who claims he is “very good friends” with the leader of Mexico’s anti-LGBT movement. (Tipped by JMG reader Mike)