The Department of Equality and Citizen Participation publishes the almanac in which it honors residents individually or collectively, showing in the images that illustrate each month, and with a brief review, their vital experiences in order to make visible the particular struggle of each one of the twenty realejeros that appear in the publication, for inclusive purposes and to promote diversity.
Rostros con fuerza is the motto of the calendar edited by the Department of Equality and Citizen Participation of Los Realejos which lead “23 prominent people in the social sphere of the municipality from the perspective of diversity, inclusion, childhood, the visibility of different disabilities or vital testimonies with special significance and exemplary”, details the councilor Macarena Hernández.
Presented at the Casa de la Cultura, each one of those who illustrate it received a wooden replica of the page of the calendar that stars. The first deputy mayor, Noelia González, indicated that this publication «pays tribute to them, individually or collectively, thus showing in image and with a brief review their vital experience each of the months of the next year 2023, in order to make visible their particular struggle for inclusive purposes and to promote diversity ».
According to the royal government, the month of January is led by Lamine, “the image of illusion.” Every year she collects the letters of all the boys and girls to deliver them to the Three Wise Men and that the magic reaches every corner of the municipality on January 6.
February is illustrated by Mingui, “joy personified”. An example of struggle and perseverance. He was born at six months gestation and spent more than seven years fighting a disease. «Protector of his friends, partygoer and music lover, whoever knows Mingui does not forget him».
Sara is the image of March, “the tin heroine”. This royal artist not only combines being a mother, teacher and singer, but she also overcame a great loss with enormous courage. This life-changing blow of hers took him in the form of a tribute to the popular television show Got Talent. April in Los Realejos is symbolized by “a family full of love”, that of Irene, Doly and her children. Their strength, positivity and courage allowed them to support a diverse family in all aspects. With their strength they help other families through the Visión Azul association for boys and girls with autism.
Oliver, “the face of the invisible”, shows his reality in the month of May. Despite his youth, this realejero shows his ostomy and is a reference for other young people. His fight made it possible for El Socorro to have the first toilet for people with ostomies on a European beach.
June adds three faces “ambassadors of the different”, those of Joran, Oliver and Israel. «They break stereotypes wherever they step. They are champions of different causes and their drive has allowed them to open doors, broaden minds and be an example for many groups. They are drags and impersonators, but, above all, real people who fight for freedom ».
The month of July comes with the strength of Damien and Christ, “the union that opens doors”. They were the first gay marriage in Tenerife. From their alliance, 18 years ago, their tenacity, courage and, above all, her love, “made their union fly over any stone in the way.”
Mary’s struggle and “smile after illness” puts a face on the month of August. She suffered from Hodgkin’s lymphoma 15 years ago. She now dedicates her time to making the path of other patients easier. From the AECC, of which she is the president in Los Realejos, she advises, supports, accompanies and provides solutions to those who need it most.
the smile of september
“The Survival Artist” is Kemy, who smiles in September. A lover of letters, in love with sociocultural animation and a survivor, the realejera storyteller carries in her blood writing and reading stories, but also integrating into society and, above all, persisting in her personal fight against disease. .
The month of October is named after Sara and Diarray, “the couple that breaks barriers”. Their relationship has grown outside the traditional schemes of race, sex and origin, becoming, far from the eyes of others, an unbreakable alliance. Águeda, Oliva and Gaspar illustrate November. They show “a laugh against difficulties.” Their physical limitations have never stopped them, their difficulties are the engine to improve day by day and help other people in similar situationsin a work carried out by the Realejera Association of People with Disabilities Millennium.
December arrives and with it the reality of Sandra and Jesus, “examples of determination.” They are what they have always wanted to be and that is his great achievement. They decided to start their respective transitions years ago and since then there has been nothing that has been able to stop them. His paths have not been easy, but his courage continues to move mountains.
