“The Cabildo of Tenerife has become the barrier against hate speech and those who want to take us backwards in defending the rights of all individuals.” These are the words of the island’s president, Rosa Dávila, who firmly and convincingly leads the Equality and Diversity policies: “Tenerife is an open, diverse island, deeply proud of the richness that comes from our people, their affections, and all forms of love, parenting, and cohabitation,” she affirms.
Rosa Dávila points out that “28th June is a day to remember, to make visible, to embrace diversity and to shout with pride: we are here and we will never hide again! We take to the streets not only to celebrate but to honour a history of struggle, bravery, and resistance. Because if today we can dress in rainbow colours, kiss whom we love without asking permission, or simply say ‘I am who I am’ with our heads held high, it is thanks to those who gave their all before us. To those who fought in much darker times when being LGBTIQA+ was a crime, a sin or a cause for shame. That is why Pride remains necessary because, above all, it is an act of visibility, dignity, and justice.”
Thus, the island’s Equality and Diversity department, led by Patricia León, has planned numerous activities throughout the month to raise awareness and make visible sexual, family, and gender diversity and to strengthen institutional support for the LGBTIQA+ community and the defence of their rights.
Patricia León states that “we are in a moment of struggle to maintain the rights achieved for the LGBTIQA+ community and also in the defence of human rights, so it is appropriate to claim, raise awareness and disseminate the activities.” Thus, yesterday (Friday 27th), the Cabildo proceeded with the reading of the LGBTIQA+ manifesto to claim their rights.
Among the activities, the awareness campaign in the municipalities stands out, which has been carried out on various external media – fixed mupis, digital mupis and LED screens – under the slogan ‘Despite the hate, pride advances. Unleash your shield!’. Specifically, the action takes place in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, La Laguna, Tacoronte, El Sauzal, La Orotava, Los Realejos, Icod de los Vinos, Arafo, and Granadilla de Abona. In addition to this campaign, various actions have also been developed on Diversity’s social networks to raise awareness among the population.
León also highlights the travelling exhibition ‘Yesterday and Today: Trans Memory of the Canary Islands,’ which consists of 10 roll-up panels. The content revolves around the lives of 10 trans people from different generations who generously provided their images and testimonials to give visibility to the challenges, difficulties, and realities of trans people. The individuals featured are Dona Hernández Ruiz, Adam Cabrera Castellano, Marcela Rodríguez Acosta, Alexander García López, Nayara Martínez González, Álvaro Martín Moreno, Rosario Miranda, Andy Benítez Fernández, Teresa León Peña, and Samuel Pérez Benítez.
“These individuals have been very important because, despite being misunderstood and some even rejected, they did not let that stop them from fighting for their rights and those of the LGBTIQA+ community. They were pioneers in Tenerife and the Canary Islands, and this exhibition is a rightful recognition of the work they have done,” assures the island’s Equality and Diversity director.
Another significant aspect is that the main façade of the Insular Palace has a banner displaying the flag representing the LGBTIQA+ community. Moreover, Patricia León is excited about Festivalullo, a concert taking place in the Plaza de la Candelaria today featuring artists who are either beginning their careers with great promise or are already well-known in the artistic world, such as Exhuberancia Carey, Lady Blue, Kharma, Agoney, and Álex Mercurio. “It will be the culmination of a day of advocacy. After the demonstration and reading by the groups, we will have the opportunity to enjoy this concert with high-quality artists from Tenerife,” León concludes.
