San Francisco Pride has denied a request from two longtime LGBTQ leaders to make Andry Jose Hernández Romero, a 31-year-old gay Venezuelan migrant deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration, an honorary grand marshal. The decision comes as California Governor Gavin Newsom has written to federal officials asking for Hernández Romero’s return to the US.
Hernández Romero was featured on CBS News’ “60 Minutes” last month and had been detained in a San Diego immigration jail since last year when he crossed the US-Mexico border seeking asylum. Human Rights Watch reports that the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador, where Hernández Romero is being held, is a site of human rights abuses.
San Francisco Pride Executive Director Suzanne Ford denied the request, citing concerns about safety and security at future events. However, LGBTQ leaders such as Murray Ramirez have criticized the decision, saying that it sends a message that LGBTQ individuals are not welcome in their own community.
The Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport Hernández Romero has been widely criticized by human rights groups. The act allows for the deportation of immigrants who are deemed enemies of the state, but critics argue that it is being misused and that Hernández Romero should be returned to the US due to his persecution as a gay man in Venezuela.
Hernández Romero’s case highlights the complexities of immigration policy and the challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals seeking asylum. The decision by San Francisco Pride raises questions about the role of LGBTQ organizations in advocating for marginalized communities and the importance of inclusivity and acceptance.
Source: https://www.ebar.com/story/154076/News/SF%20Pride%20reportedly%20denies%20request%20to%20name%20deported%20gay%20makeup%20artist%20honorary%20grand%20marshal