![\"Pope](\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.towleroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Pope_Francis_at_Varginha_2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPope Francis<\/a> has voiced his support for an anti-gay<\/a> protest in Mexico over the weekend which was attended by up to 80,000 people. <\/span><\/p>\n Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said the rally against same-sex<\/a> marriage aimed to “defend our families.”<\/span><\/p>\n Despite <\/span>saying<\/b><\/a> in 2013 that LGBT people should not be “marginalized” and earlier this year suggesting the church <\/span>should apologize<\/b><\/a> to gay<\/a> people for how they have been treated by the institution, in April <\/span>he said<\/b><\/a> there are “no grounds” for comparing same-sex<\/a> marriages with “traditional marriages.” In August, he <\/span>spoke out against<\/b><\/a> transgender children, saying “Today in schools, they are teaching this to children — to children! — that everyone can choose their own gender.”<\/span><\/p>\n At his weekly Sunday blessing yesterday, <\/span>Francis said<\/b><\/a> he willingly joined the Mexico protest “in favor of family and life, which in these times require special pastoral and cultural attention around the world.”<\/span><\/p>\n #Mexico<\/a>: ‘March against gay<\/a> marriage’ #MarchaPorLaFamilia<\/a>: confrontation between Nazi-fascist and LGBT activists. pic.twitter.com\/gR1JNpDXps<\/a><\/p>\n — ubique (@PersonalEscrito) September 25, 2016<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n According to <\/span>Telesur<\/b><\/a>, the protest was “organized by Catholics and the ultra-conservative National Front for the Family, who have been calling people to take to the streets to ‘defend their families and children’ against same-sex<\/a> marriages and adoptions – which are human rights provided by the Mexican constitution.”<\/span><\/p>\n LGBT activists and human rights organizations had asked authorities to prevent the protest and punish clergy members leading the demonstration as they are violating the secularity law of Mexico. <\/span><\/p>\n La marcha pro-familia en Guadalajara, Jal., el 10 de septiembre de 2016. pic.twitter.com\/361i2f9mvk<\/a><\/p>\n — José de la Luz (@josedelaluzc) September 11, 2016<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n On Friday night hundreds of people gathered at the Angel de la Independencia monument in Mexico City which was lit up in pink as part of a demonstration in support of same-sex<\/a> marriage.<\/span><\/p>\n While calling LGBT people “unstable,” Representatives of the National Front for the Family said they respect homosexuality but reject same-sex<\/a> marriage.<\/span><\/p>\n “You cannot claim the freedom of expression right for these kind of protests, especially in a country where members of LGBTQ are already vulnerable to bullying, harassment, intimidation and even death threats.”<\/span><\/p>\n Same-sex<\/a> marriage has been legalized in Mexico City and 9 of the nation’s 31 states. There are challenges in the 22 other states underway.<\/span> The post Pope Francis Voices Support For 80,000-Strong Anti-Gay Protest Against Same-Sex Marriage in Mexico<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\nRELATED: Stephen Colbert Weighs In on the Pope’s Remarks About Gays: WATCH<\/em><\/a><\/h2>\n
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<\/a>Temistocles Villanueva, MORENA national secretary for sexual diversity, said:<\/span><\/p>\n
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<\/span>Last week, Father Hugo Valdemar<\/a> (right), the spokesperson of Mexico<\/a>’s Catholic church<\/a> accused the country’s anti-discrimination watchdog, Conapred, of persecution.<\/p>\n