The Ontinyent City Council held an institutional event this Friday in the Plaza Mayor, in front of the Town Hall, to mark International LGTBI Pride Day. The event included the traditional hoisting of the LGTBI flag on the facade of the old Town Hall.
As a key novelty, the event featured a shared reading of the institutional manifesto approved by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP). The reading was led by the Councilor for Equality, Paula Soler, and attended by Mayor Jorge Rodríguez, council members, as well as representatives from associations, the Council of Women, the Council for Social Inclusion, and citizens.
The text, agreed upon by the FEMP, reaffirms the commitment of local entities to promoting LGTBI rights, creating safe spaces, and preventing all forms of discrimination. It also advocates for public policies that promote equal treatment, respect for diversity, and the defense of human rights.
The Councilor for Equality, Paula Soler, described the event as "very positive," highlighting the citizen response and Ontinyent's commitment to equality and coexistence. Soler emphasized the crucial role of local institutions in building a more inclusive society.
Soler noted that since 2021, Ontinyent has been implementing awareness, training, and diversity promotion initiatives for the LGTBI community, including educational activities in schools, workshops, and commemorations of significant dates. She also mentioned institutional measures such as the LGTBI Plan for municipal staff and a protocol against harassment based on sexual orientation, identity, or gender expression.
“"The defense of LGTBI rights is not an issue solely remembered on June 28th, but with this joint reading of the manifesto, we symbolize the will to continue advancing, through dialogue and coexistence, towards real and effective equality."
