Diversas unveiled its new premises, located at number 34 Avenida Emilio Luque Moreno in La Orotava. This fulfills “a strong aspiration,” said its president, Fran Baute, who recalled that the collective originated in this municipality, where they “have always had very important institutional and social support.” Highlighting the benefits of the facilities, he clarified that they will continue to provide the same level of care as they have been offering since 2019 in Puerto de la Cruz (Calle la Verdad, 19). “It’s not a relocation, but an expansion or improvement of space for the well-being of the users.” He thanked the technical team at Diversas, currently comprising 10 individuals, and the large group of volunteers, whose role “has been key to the association’s growth.”
The inauguration was attended by the mayor of La Orotava, Francisco Linares, who expressed his satisfaction in collaborating “for so many years” with the collective, a consolidated support that expands with the opening of the new headquarters in the town. He encouraged Diversas to continue in this direction and hopes that other municipalities in the North will get involved in the opening of a third headquarters, “as this organization provides an essential service to many people.” Linares emphasized that “it is a historic day for the town to have this center, as the association has a highly professional interdisciplinary team.”
The Councilor for Equality, Belén González, who was present at the event, was pleased that La Orotava has such a necessary resource, centrally located and with numerous possibilities. She reiterated her department’s commitment to the collective in general, and to Diversas in particular, emphasizing the longstanding good relationship “between both parties.”
In a nutshell, Baute outlined the programs carried out by the organization, such as psychosocial support for the LGBTI community and their families, as well as sexological, legal, or employment assistance for the community. He mentioned their projects, including the early detection service for HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis C for the entire population, as well as socio-educational intervention in different areas, especially in educational centers.
The President of Diversas mentioned that “numerous families and individuals in La Orotava have benefited from their services, and will now have a much closer and wider resource,” where they will continue to serve users from across the island. Over the past year, the LGBTI* Association Diversas assisted 386 individuals and families.
All participants agreed on the need for spaces and programs like those mentioned, especially in the current sociopolitical context, where certain discourses and actions have once again “targeted the LGBTIQA+ community, trying to jeopardize or question their rights.”
