Tenerife joined yesterday to fight against LGTBphobia in a very special day. The Pride Day of Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals and Bisexuals, among other groups, was commemorated. The word pride like that, without adjectives. The anniversary recalls the violent revolt at the Stonewall Inn, a bar in the New York neighborhood of Greenwich Village, in protest against a police raid that took place on that day in 1969. Since then, a fight has been claimed that this time is led by the Cabildo and is staged in an act held at the gate of the Insular Palace. It is starred by about fifty people including representatives of all the political groups with representation, members of the ten groups organized on the Island and workers of the institution.
The island president, Pedro Martín, highlights the responsibility of the institutions to avoid rejection and discrimination around LGBTIQ+ people. He proposes, precisely, that the Cabildo lead this fight and points out that “we have a responsibility not only with the groups, but with democratic society.”
“Sometimes there are those who try to go backwards but, despite everything, we move forward”
Martín assesses: “Sometimes there are those who try to set back, but, despite everything, we are moving forward.” He recalls that “44 years ago Pride Day was celebrated for the first time in García Sanabria Park; then there was neither the solidarity, nor the conviction nor the consideration for the activist movements that there are today». He argues that “it would have been unthinkable back then to see the rainbow flag outside the Cabildo de Tenerife.” He adds: “Not that we were together representatives of all political groups supporting it, a flag that belongs to everyone, and that only those who are exclusive do not recognize.”
The counselor.
The island councilor for Citizen Participation and Diversity, Nauzet Gugliotta, values the collaborative work of the ten groups that make up the LGBTI+ Insular Roundtable and encourages them to continue working. He speaks of a vindictive commemoration and not a celebration because “there is nothing to celebrate but to vindicate human rights.” He expresses himself “for those who are no longer there” and names people from the collective murdered in Equatorial Guinea, “next door” just for coming out of the closet. This is one of the eleven countries where people are killed for having this condition, while in 69 these people are imprisoned.
“There is nothing to celebrate but to claim human rights”
Representatives of the entities appeal in the manifesto they read to the union, in addition to demanding quality health care and education that meets their “diverse reality.” Diversity, unity, equality, freedom… These are words that are spelled out by those who follow each other in reading the text agreed upon by all.
The collectives.
They launch a “cry of courage”, as Sergio Siverio, from Diversas, assures, and also of gratitude to the activists “for continuing to stand up, in the face of hatred, with visibility and with pride.” “Thank you for the fight to win LGBTIQ+ rights as human rights,” he summarizes. They remember that there is already a generation that was born with the right to same-sex marriage, achieved 17 years ago; in addition to others such as the Trans and Intersex Canarian Law and the future Trans and LGTBI + Law at the state level. Dylan Constantini, from Transboys, proclaims it: «We shout loud and clear so that the political parties can hear us: Trans and LGTBI Law, now!».
Among the requests that the rights of trans minors be guaranteed, regardless of their age, so that they have a procedure that allows them to request a change of sex in the registry when they need it and, in addition, that the identity of the minors be recognized. non-binary people so that they can prove with their documentation that they do not identify as men or women.
«We want to launch a cry of courage for our rights; we are not going to disappear»
The bet is an “educational system with professionals trained in the eradication of hate and in an increasingly diverse country.” “Discrimination against those with HIV” must end and they claim that “trans people have the right to quality health care and education.” Víctor Díaz, from Chrysallis, emphasizes: “We demand universal access to comprehensive and integrated health.”
A repeated concept is equality “hand in hand with public institutions committed to rights, such as the Cabildo, and the LGBTIQ+ Insular Board, the municipal councils, the Asterisk Network and the Prism Network.” «We are a group of sister entities that know the importance of fighting together for equality from freedom, with dignity; difficulties and barriers are transformed into advances and successes”, they sentence. Yelko Fernández, from Libertrans, conveys hope: “We are going to win this fight for equality by convincing society.”
University.
The University of La Laguna (ULL) joins in commemorating International Pride Day with an institutional act in the Central Building of the academic center with the presence of entities and activists from Tenerife, representatives of public entities and members of the government team and the faculties.
The lagoon.
Aguere launches the manifesto Our colors differentiate us, our reasons unite us as the axis of the acts of a few days of Laguna Orgullosa. It is prepared by the LGBTI Municipal Council. Pride Day is celebrated until July 15, as an instrument of visibility and vindication of rights.
«We shout loud and clear so that the political parties can hear us: Trans and LGTBI Law, now!»
Tegueste.
The Tegueste City Council claims “the need to join forces in the fight of the LGTBIQ+ collective”. The Diversas Association participates in the reading of the manifesto of the municipality, in defense of the rights for Pride Day. A program with workshops, theater and a drag show give visibility. Two ideas: respect for people regardless of their identity or sexual orientation and reference to the advances made in the rights of the collective thanks to activism.
The Sauzal.
El Sauzal raises the Pride flag in the Plaza del Príncipe with the presence of representatives of the Cabildo, the Diverse Association and the municipalities adhered to the Asterisk Network: La Laguna, Tegueste, El Sauzal, La Matanza, La Victoria, Santa Úrsula, La Orotava, Puerto de la Cruz, Garachico, El Tanque, Buenavista del Norte and Los Silos.
“We demand universal access to comprehensive health from administrations”
Proud Candlemas.
From North to South. The City Council of Candelaria celebrates Pride Day by painting the municipality in rainbow colors. In a representative way, nine in each nucleus of Villa Mariana with the aim of making visible all the realities in public spaces. They carry a golden plaque with the inscription Proud of you and are located in the neighborhoods of Barranco Hondo, Igueste, Araya, Cuevecitas, Malpaís, Playa de La Viuda, Santa Ana, Punta Larga and Las Caletiilas.
Adeje.
On Pride Day Adeje assumes the spokesperson for the Red Prisma, which until now was held by Vilaflor. The network is made up of all the municipalities of the South of the Island. Reading of the manifesto by the Canary Pride Association and raising of the flag in the Pedro Zerolo Memorial Plaza.
“We are going to win this fight for equality by convincing society”
island protest.
The LGBTIQ+ entities of the Island of Tenerife promote the joint call for the Pride demonstration that will take place tomorrow, Friday, July 1. For the first time, the march will take place outside the metropolitan area and this time will have the tourist city of Puerto de la Cruz.
Concerns about possible regression
Both at the institutional level and in the sentiment of the groups of Tenerife activists there is “concern” about a “possible turning back of more than 40 years” as has been revealed by the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States regarding the right to abortion. They think that the next ones may be LGTBIQ+ people. In this regard, Yelko Hernández raises his voice: «Instead of taking a step back, we take it forward and with unity as the flag. Here on the Island we all go together as one». Both the counselor Gugliotta and Sergio Siverio agree that “there may be a regression from the legislative power and not by the decision of a court as in the United States.” Siverio states: «Another majority with the extreme right is enough to change the law; same-sex marriage is not shielded by the Constitution. | jdm
