The Melilla Association of Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals and Bisexuals (Amlega) held an institutional event this Friday for International LGTBIQ+ Pride Day (June 28). In its manifesto, the entity has highlighted the rights achieved in recent years and those that remain to be achieved, but it has also recalled the beginnings of the association, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this month.
The local government and members of the Socialist Party, Coalición por Melilla and Somos Melilla have accompanied Amlega in this institutional act, as a sign of respect and absolute support of the LGTBIQ+ community on this significant date. Rafael Calatrava, president of the association, was in charge of reading the manifesto to commemorate this Pride Day.
This year, Amlega has dedicated June 28 to a purpose as important as promoting education “as a fundamental tool to combat hatred against diversity” in a context marked by international violence and hate speech. Thus, Calatrava has highlighted that while the number of people who identify as LGTBI+ increases, so does LGTBIphobia. 22.8% of LGTBI people acknowledge having suffered bullying in educational centers, and more than 7% with physical attacks. However, he regrets that 1 in 6 cases is sanctioned correctly and in 2 out of 3 nothing is done.
“Three out of four centers do not talk about gender identity. Eight out of ten centers do not address the prevention of hate. One in ten LGTBI+ students received diversity training in subjects,” the entity highlights.
For these reasons, this Pride Day they ask that training centers work actively to eliminate hate speech; that there be anti-discrimination educational campaigns and policies towards the group; that there is continuous training in emotional and sexual diversity for workers and that the content is mandatory for the accreditation of teachers.
They also ask for the creation and implementation of units and references for attention to diversity in educational centers, including universities, as well as the inclusion of LGTBI+ families in school agendas so that all the family diversity that currently exists throughout the world is reflected. world.
“Discrimination, attacks and hate speech are still a sadly everyday reality,” says Calatrava. This is why diversity education remains so important. But, on this June 28, Amlega also wanted to highlight the need for LGBT diversity plans in companies, to guarantee equality in the workplace; that non-binary people are recognized; and that those resources that persecute the group, such as conversion therapies, are pursued.
On the other hand, the event also had an emotional moment when Rafael Calatrava, during the reading of the manifesto, recalled the beginnings of the Melilla association twenty years ago. In June 2005, the first LGTBI Pride was held in Melilla and it had an honorary artist of the stature of Sandra, ‘the Almodóvar girl’ (a drag queen who is the official imitator of Sara Montiel).
“The first years were not easy, but the desire outweighed the obstacles,” admits the president of Amlega. Since then, he recognizes that Melilla “has been freer, more modern” becoming a national reference as it is the only Pride in all of North Africa. For this reason, Calatrava wanted to remember all the activists who have fought for the Melilla community during these two decades, such as José Antonio Alonso, Pepe Beceito, Antonio Belmonte or Rafa Robles.
Now that it has turned twenty, Amlega is willing to “grow a little more” to reach “more spaces” and continue “being an even better instrument.” The fight for the rights and visibility of LGBT people continues stronger than ever.
