Vox Politicians in Marbella Demand Removal of LGBT+ Educational Guides
Vox politicians in Marbella are urging the local council to take down educational guides from their website. These guides are designed to assist the region’s young LGBT+ population. The local branch of Vox, represented by councilor and spokesperson Eugenio Malto, alleges that the new documents on the municipality’s website are promoting gender ideology and LGBT thinking among children.
Far-Right Party Lobbying Against New Materials
The far-right political party is advocating for the removal of the new materials, which are three downloadable manuals referred to as ‘training capsules’. These were recently added to the website on February 12. The documents are titled: ‘Embracing diversity as an educational opportunity’, ‘In my classroom there is sexual diversity’, and ‘How to prevent school failure due to sexual or gender identity’. As of February 19, these manuals had been downloaded 247 times.
Vox Accused of Attacking LGBT+ Rights in Spain
Vox has been accused of attacking LGBT+ rights in Spain. In a statement, Vox Marbella expressed their commitment to the protection of family values and the right of parents to educate their children according to their convictions. They believe that these materials promote a specific ideology without due respect for the diversity of thought that characterises society.
Documents Accused of Inciting Discord and Attacking Family Institutions
The party claims that the material incites discord and attacks fundamental institutions such as the family, by promoting ideas that can be considered indoctrination. Molto alleges that the documents use the “excuse” of “the supposed existence of bullying of LGBT+ children” to “attack a basic institution in our society such as the family”. The motion by Vox is also backed by the Association of Christian Lawyers.
Marbella City Council’s Stance on the Issue
Marbella City Council’s website states that the “resources and tools for teachers” are aimed at “raising awareness and preventing and eradicating bullying due to homophobia, biphobia and transphobia”. A 2016 study found that over half of LGBT+ students in schools had experienced bullying.
Vox’s Controversial Stand on LGBT+ Rights
Vox, who won 14 seats in the 2022 Andalucia regional elections, have routinely been accused of homophobia by critics. The party opposes same-sex marriage and has praised Viktor Orban’s government in Hungary after they passed anti-LGBT+ legislation. Santiago Abascal, the party’s leader, has claimed that the party cannot be homophobic as he himself has gay friends.
