The 2025 Diversity March toured Montevideo with human rights demands.
This Friday, the 2025 Diversity March once again filled the streets of Montevideo with a clear slogan: "If there are rights, let them be seen." The mobilization began in Plaza Libertad—also known as Plaza Cagancha—and traveled two kilometers along Rondeau and Libertador avenues, surrounding the Legislative Palace until reaching Plaza 1° de Mayo. Throughout each section, music accompanied thousands of people who demanded the real fulfillment of their long-awaited rights.
As an active participant, you were part of a day that not only celebrated diversity but also denounced the outstanding debts of the Uruguayan state. The proclamation read by the organizers was forceful: it demanded that the Yamandú Orsi government condemn the genocide in the Gaza Strip and demanded effective enforcement of the Comprehensive Law for Transgender People, passed in 2018.
Trans rights claims: between law and reality
Daniela Buquet, a member of the march's coordinator, clearly expressed what many feel: "Unfortunately, we've been marching for the same thing for many years." Although Uruguay has made legislative progress, such as equal marriage, assisted reproduction, and the Comprehensive Trans Law, the implementation of these rights remains deficient.
You saw it on the signs, you heard it in the chants: trans people continue to face job exclusion, structural violence, and lack of access to adequate healthcare . Buquet denounced that the waiting list for gender reassignment surgeries can be years long, causing anguish and, in many cases, suicide. She also noted that many trans people are expelled from the education system and live in extreme poverty.
Gaza, politics and human rights: a proclamation with international weight
The proclamation also included an urgent call to condemn the genocide in Gaza. “This march is about more than diversity; it’s about human rights. We cannot turn a blind eye to a genocide that is taking place,” said Buquet. This political stance marked a turning point in the march’s narrative, which not only focused on local issues but also connected to global causes.
The presence of political leaders such as Montevideo Mayor Mario Bergara reinforced the event's institutional character. Bergara emphasized that the march promotes the "deployment of rights" and "equality," and celebrated the citizens' demonstration in defense of historically discriminated groups.
What's next after the march?
The 2025 Diversity March wasn't just a celebration. It was a direct challenge to the state, political parties, and society as a whole. You, as part of this mobilization, helped highlight the gaps between what is written in the laws and what happens in the daily lives of thousands of people.
The question that remains is: how can we transform this collective energy into effective public policies? How can we ensure that rights are not just promises on paper?
Diversity as a driver of social transformation
Beyond the central slogan, the 2025 Diversity March demonstrated that LGBTIQ+ communities continue to be protagonists in a struggle that doesn't end with the achievement of laws. You know this: true transformation occurs when these laws translate into real opportunities, effective inclusion, and everyday respect.
During the march, multiple demands were highlighted: access to decent housing, inclusive labor policies, specialized medical care, and discrimination-free education. The banners, chants, and artistic performances not only denounced injustices but also celebrated the resilience of those facing structural exclusion.
The march also served as a space for intergenerational encounter. Young activists shared the stage with historical figures of the movement, recalling that each right won was the fruit of years of activism. This connection between past and present strengthens the continuity of the struggle and projects new strategies for the future.
The role of the media and citizens
Media coverage of the 2025 Diversity March was key to amplifying its message. You, as a reader, can contribute by sharing content, generating conversation, and demanding that the media reflect the diversity of voices that make up this mobilization. Visibility is not just a matter of aesthetics: it is a political tool that can transform perceptions and break down prejudices.
Citizens also have an active role. Participating, listening, empathizing, and questioning are actions that build a more just society. The march doesn't end when the speakers are turned off: it continues in every space where rights are discussed, violence is denounced, or inclusion is promoted.
