In these two years of government by the Popular Party, the Government has eliminated many of the social rights acquired in the democratic era, to end the progressive and advancing model through which modern and European Spain was moving.
Many of us fear that, as with the Abortion Law, the PP will attack the Marriage Law. Because, although some consider the matter to be over, there are still member countries of the European Union that do not recognize hate crimes related to sexual orientation or gender identity.
This is unacceptable, because sexual orientation and gender identity are recognized as grounds for discrimination in international law. According to a recent survey, 80 percent of homophobic and transphobic violence is not reported to the police, often for fear of widespread social and institutional rejection.
In other cases, homosexual people do not report the attacks they suffer because they are not openly homosexual and fear that their partners and families will find out. Countries such as Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy and Latvia lack comprehensive provisions on hate crimes, as these do not cover crimes committed against people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, real or perceived.
In other countries, such as Croatia and Greece, legislation on transphobic and homophobic hate crimes is not properly enforced, which means that police sometimes do not take note of the homophobic or transphobic motive or do not investigate it thoroughly.
Faced with this reality, the PSOE and its Secretariat for Social Movements encourage progressive society not to lower its guard, to continue with the demands and expressions of support.
I have experienced it firsthand and it has not been easy. But I have managed to be proud of what I am and how I am. I am happy with myself and proud of parents who, in their seventies, accepted me, understood me and continue to love me as much as the first day.
I feel proud of the LGTB groups, fighters in defense of our freedoms. Men and women to whose effort and courage we owe the achievement of our rights and the normalization of our sexual options.
And, why not say it, I am proud to be a socialist because it was the PSOE, with the support of other progressive parties, that on July 3, 2005 approved an equal marriage law.
And finally, I am filled with pride by that more than 60% of the citizenry who understood the message of tolerance; and the Constitutional Court, which reminded the PP of its lack of humanity and its insensitivity to a consolidated reality and to an acquired right.
On November 6, 2012, the Courts proved us right. And a year later, we can feel fortunate because the Government of intolerance, cuts and dusty cassock religiosity has not yet cast its myopic and reactionary gaze towards our group.
*Isaías González Rijo, Secretariat of Social Movements of the PSOE of Lanzarote.
