PSOE and Youth in Marbella Read Manifesto on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
The spokesperson for the Municipal Socialist Group, Isabel Pérez, and the general secretary of the Socialist Youth of Marbella, Pedro Castillo, have read a manifesto today to commemorate May 17th, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. This day was recognized in Spain by a socialist government on June 26, 2009.
Progress Made but Equality Still a Distant Goal
Despite legislative advancements in recent years, particularly those concerning marriage equality and gender identity, as well as various regional laws regulating transsexuality and against LGBTI-phobia, we are still far from achieving real equality for lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and intersex (LGBTI) individuals. Sexual orientation and gender identity continue to be legally persecuted in many countries, as evidenced by Amnesty International reports indicating that homosexuality is persecuted in 78 countries and punishable by death in others.
Discrimination in the Workplace and Schools
They also recalled that according to a study by FELGTB on sexual and gender discrimination, 30 percent of homosexual individuals have experienced some form of workplace discrimination. More concerning is the data on discrimination in adolescence. Over 70% of LGBTI youth report having experienced some form of discrimination in their educational institution, and 83% of them have taken no action in response.
Protection of Minors and Free Development of Individuals
The protection of minors and the free development of individuals should be an absolute priority considering these data. We must promote measures to ensure that educational institutions are safe spaces for sexual diversity. The Fundamental Rights Agency of the European Union acknowledges that, in this regard, discriminatory acts and/or aggressions that end in a complaint in the EU are only the tip of the iceberg of a much larger problem, as they represent between 10% and 30% of the total that occur in the European Union; a figure that does not vary much in our country.
Remembering the Victims
“This May 17th, we also remember all those victims who were assaulted or murdered because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We must continue to build a Spain based on the principles of social justice, equality, and non-discrimination,” they stated in today’s reading.
Commitment to LGBTI Rights
They also pointed out that “the Socialist Party remains firmly committed to LGBTI rights, assuming specific proposals and measures that help ensure real equality and effectively address the fight against homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia.”
