The LGTBIQA+ entities coordinator in the Canary Islands celebrated this Wednesday that «the political and social majority» of the islands show «a seamless consensus» in support of the Trans and Intersex Law approved in the previous legislature in the regional parliament, after today the political groups of the Parliament rejected the Non-Legislative Proposition of Vox that requested the repeal of the regulation.
«All political forces have supported the maintenance of the Law, isolating the far-right in their attempt to repeal a text that has represented the greatest advancement in the rights of Trans and Intersex individuals in the history of the Canary Islands,» the entities emphasized in a statement.
The signatory associations are Altihay Fuerteventura; Aperttura; Caminar Intersex; Canarypride; Chrysallis Canarias; Diversas; Gamá; LanzaEntiende; Lánzate; Libertrans and Violetas La Palma.
Together, they have highlighted the significance that the Law 2/2021, of June 7, «has had and continues to have» for thousands of people in the archipelago, who have seen how thanks to it, their lives have begun to be more dignified, fair, and happy.» In this way, they emphasized the «enormous progress» made possible by the commitment of organized civil society, LGTBIQA+ activism, and the «firmness of political forces» that voted against the PNL today.
«They chose to stand on the side of Human Rights: dignifying and approving with their affirmative vote the Comprehensive Trans and Intersex Law of the Canary Islands, providing legal security to the people we represent and whose rights we must protect,» they added.
COORDINATED WORK
They warned that the Canary Trans and Intersex Law is the result of «enormous coordinated work» between activism and institutions, and have emphasized that it guarantees the legal recognition of the gender identity of trans individuals, allowing them to live in a society that has «cornered and deprived them of their dignity.»
Additionally, they added, it guarantees the physical and psychological integrity of Intersex individuals, prohibiting for the first time in an Autonomous Community forced and coercive medical interventions such as genital mutilation in Intersex babies and children until the person has the capacity to decide.
«The legal text is also a fundamental tool to provide access to specific and necessary health services for physical and emotional well-being, which is affected by the consequences of discrimination against Trans and Intersex individuals,» they argued from the entities’ collective.
They point out that it reduces discrimination against individuals whose gender identity and sexual characteristics are non-normative, helping to mitigate phenomena such as school bullying towards Trans and Intersex children and adolescents, with a more inclusive vision of sex and gender diversity.
«The Canary Trans and Intersex Law is a milestone, as it is a legislative tool that establishes measures to protect Trans and Intersex individuals from violence and harassment. Additionally, it paves the way for Trans and Intersex individuals to have equal opportunities in employment, education, and other areas,» they warn.
They emphasized the importance of providing «protection» for a first rule that, thanks to its complementary State Law, allows the self-determination of Trans and Intersex individuals, that is, to make decisions about their body and life without being questioned or institutionally discriminated against.
The entities’ coordinator explained that this legislative instrument also provides support and resources to the families of Trans and Intersex individuals to «facilitate the path to self-determination, helping parents to understand what happens to children and adolescents.»
Also, in the counseling and care provided to families and intersex children, «respecting at all times the autonomy, physical integrity, and sexual characteristics of the intersex person.»
«Canarias can and should continue to be a reference,» the groups pointed out. «In the previous legislature, all political parties in the Canary Islands showed foresight, dignity, and historical vision to achieve a consensus that we must not allow to break,» they added from the LGTBIQ+ Coordinator.
They argue that the Law makes the Canary Islands a «reference» autonomous community in defending LGTBIQA+ and Trans* human rights, against a «reactionary» minority that seeks to revive «stigmas, prejudices, inequalities of the past contrary to democratic values, equality, and dignity of all individuals.
