Here are the 21 best photos from East Timor’s second Pride parade

PHOTO: Facebook via Hatutan/Bernandino Soares

The young nation of East Timor held its second ever Pride parade over the weekend and it was a rousing success.

About 1500 people hit the streets of the capital, Dili, to celebrate the LGBTI community but to also protest the lack of legal protections.

That’s an increase of more than 1,000 people from last year’s parade.

Led by a trans marching band, the parade celebrated the East Timor’s LGBTI community, with many influential Timorese and foreign dignitaries showing their support.

Youth group Hatutan, joined forces with Fundasaun CODIVA, Arco Iris and other partners to put on the colourful Pride festival which calling for the inclusion of LGBTI people in the country’s development.

East Timor is one of the world’s youngest nations and has a population of only 1.27 million people.

Its LGBTI advocates work tirelessly to raise awareness about issues and to ensure the community is protected legally.

But LGBTI people especially, trans men and lesbians, face extreme levels of violence – mostly at the hands of their own families.

Timor Pride organizers used the week long festival to run educational forums, but also to celebrate the community. Friday’s Pride parade was followed by a colorful after party featuring