The socialist municipal group of Orihuela has denounced the situation of uncertainty and neglect affecting the Orienta service, a public resource for comprehensive support for LGTBI individuals, established in 2019. Its continuity is not guaranteed in the province of Alicante, prompting socialists to demand its continuation and an LGTBI attention office for the Vega Baja region, to be based in Orihuela.
The PSOE has highlighted the regression in equality policies since the arrival of the PP and Vox parties in institutions, accusing the regional government of "dismantling essential resources while abandoning LGTBI individuals and their families". Socialist councilor Juan López has criticized that, despite talk of freedom, fundamental resources offering psychological support, legal advice, and social accompaniment are being allowed to wither.
According to López, "what is happening with Orienta is not accidental; it is a political decision that is part of the rollback in equality we are witnessing since the right-wing parties and their pacts with the far-right came to power". The PSOE has emphasized that Orihuela and the Vega Baja lack a specialized public office, and many individuals rely on the voluntary work of associations, even though the region has over 400,000 inhabitants.
"Equality cannot depend on where you live or whether you can afford to travel to Alicante for specialized care. Rights are only real when there are accessible and nearby public services," stated López.
“"Equality cannot depend on where you live or whether you can afford to travel to Alicante for specialized care. Rights are only real when there are accessible and nearby public services."
Consequently, the socialists have submitted a motion demanding the continuity of the Orienta service throughout the Valencian Community, urging the Ministry of Equality to urgently restore stable provision in Alicante, and requesting the establishment of an office in the Vega Baja. López recalled that Orihuela has consolidated a stable Pride program thanks to the Atrévete association, but believes that "a major city cannot limit itself solely to one-off activities or symbolic campaigns".
He concluded by emphasizing that while other regions have specific resources, the Vega Baja remains "the greatly forgotten" in terms of specialized LGTBI support, stating that "we will not normalize institutional abandonment or discourses that attempt to make the community invisible".
