This past 17th of May I marched along the LGBT community and many other organizations on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. The rally would end at the Oscar Lopez Rivera welcoming event.  Oscar himself decided to wear black on the day of his release, and one of the reasons was to honor the LGBT community.

CABE (Comité Amplio En Búsqueda de la Equidad) which in Spanish means, the open community seeking human equality and many other rights, organized the demonstration.

The march’s objective was to reclaim and put the spotlight on the following issues.

• The Puerto Rico Department of Education’s efforts to stop educating their students on equity and human rights by eliminating the Circular Letter published on equity.
• The Senate President prohibited the use of Transgender people using the restrooms he or she identifies with.
• The continuous violations of not keeping a separation of church and state.
• Changes in the law so same-gender couples can't adopt making it difficult or impossible for them to adopt.
• Same-Sex marriage is still being treated differently when it comes to how it’s registered on public and government official records.
• The many LGBT youths that are on the streets and being marginalized by the family by not accepting them as who they feel they are.
• Violence as an excuse to hurt LGBT members.
• The treatment of the LGBT community as second class citizens.

The march was well organized, tons of fun and a celebration of the community that form part of our society on the island. To individuals like me, you don’t have personally be affected by an issue to show support for our LGBT brothers and sisters.

Marching towards Oscar Lopez Rivera's Welcome

The movement reached Rio Piedras Plaza de la Convalecencia to honor Ex-Political Prisoner and a hero to many of us, Oscar Lopez Rivera.

Having read about the great work and the values of Oscar Lopez Rivera It was a surreal moment to see him received by thousands of people.

Many who wanted to shake his hand, get an autograph, take a selfie with him, hug him, and show many signs of gratitude to the sacrifices he made by being imprisoned for almost 36 years.
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Don't Believe the False Accusations on Oscar Lopez Rivera

There is a lot more to say about Oscar than what the Press and some folks who have spread false rumors about him.

He never tried hurting anyone. His intentions were to fight for Puerto Ricans no matter where they were on the globe.

He remained firm to his values and remained in jail longer than he should have.

During his welcome, it was evident many of us had been waiting for his return to the island for a long time.

I am proud of those who marched for Equal Rights and those who went to celebrate and welcome Oscar Lopez Rivera.

Oscar mentioned the other day that he would never leave behind anyone that was one of his.

Let's make sure we don't leave behind our LGBT brothers and sisters and make sure we all fight for equality and their right to live a happy life.