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, Coalition for Melilla and Somos Melilla have accompanied Amlega in this institutional event, as a sign of respect and absolute support of the LGTBIQ+ collective on this significant date. Rafael Calatrava, president of the association, has been 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 as the number of people who identify as LGTBI+ increases, so does LGTBIphobia. 22.8% of LGTBI people admit to having suffered bullying in educational centers, and more than 7% with physical aggression. However, he regrets that 1 in 6 cases is sanctioned correctly and in 2 out of 3 nothing is done.
“Three out of four schools do not talk about gender identity. Eight out of ten schools do not address the prevention of hate. One in ten LGTBI+ students received training in diversity in their subjects,” the entity highlights.
For these reasons, this Pride Day they are asking that educational centres work actively to eliminate hate speech; that there be anti-discrimination educational campaigns and policies towards the group; that there be ongoing training in affective and sexual diversity for workers and that it be mandatory in the content 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 continue to be 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 LGTBI diversity plans in companies, to guarantee equality in the workplace; that non-binary people be recognized; and that those resources that persecute the group, such as conversion therapies, be pursued.
On the other hand, the event also had an emotional moment when Rafael Calatrava, during the reading of the manifesto, recalled that the beginnings of the Melilla association were twenty years ago. In June 2005, the first LGTBI Pride was held in Melilla and featured an honorary artist of the stature of Sandra, ‘the Almodóvar girl’ (an official Sara Montiel impersonator).
“The first few years were not easy, but the desire was stronger than the obstacles,” admits the president of Amlega. Since then, he recognises that Melilla “has been freer, more modern” becoming a national reference point as 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 she has turned twenty, Amlega is willing to “grow a little more” to reach “more spaces” and continue “to be an even better instrument.” The fight for the rights and visibility of LGTBI people continues stronger than ever.
