The Andalusian government’s Ministry of Social Services, Families and Equality, through its Directorate General for Volunteering and Diversity, opened registration for the 6th International LGTBI Congress of Andalusia, scheduled for September 22 and 23 at the Torremolinos Conference Centre in Málaga province. Registration is free and available through the congress’s official website. The training activity will be accredited by the Andalusian Institute of Public Administration.
The event is intended as a forum for discussion, training and participation on the rights of LGTBI people and their families, and the prevention of LGTBI-phobia. Under the theme “Respect and Diversity: Show Intolerance the Red Card,” the sixth edition aims to develop joint solutions to ensure respect for and protection of the right to diversity and gender identity in individual, family and social life. It also seeks to raise awareness and provide specialist training for professionals working in fields related to diversity, including education, health, employment, justice, social services, public safety, culture, leisure, sport and communications.
The September 22 programme will begin with registration and an official opening attended by Torremolinos Mayor Margarita del Cid and Andalusian Minister of Social Services, Families and Equality Loles López. Writer and public educator Mer Gómez will deliver the opening address, “Intersexualities: Bodies Beyond the Sexual Binary,” on the experiences of intersex people and bodily diversity beyond binary categories. A panel titled “Voices Against Invisibility” will bring together intersex-rights activists and professionals, and will be moderated by María del Carmen Díaz, coordinator of the Krisol group for intersex human rights at Adriano Antinoo.
That afternoon, a panel will examine sport as a space for inclusion and diversity, with participants from sports, health and LGTBI organisations. Sara Pérez García, president of Diversport Torremolinos, will moderate. The first day will conclude with a presentation of “Orgullo Andaluz” and a musical performance by singer-songwriter UCEDA.
On September 23, a panel on education will discuss challenges and opportunities for creating learning environments free of LGTBI-phobia. The programme will also include a screening of the LGTBI short film “Las Moscas del Vinagre,” followed by a talk by María Guadalupe Ñeco Reyna on sexual diversity, gender and public policy, including the development of alliances between Mexico and Spain. The congress will close with an official ceremony led by Francisco Manuel Obes, director general for Volunteering and Diversity, and a contribution from Málaga’s Higher School of Dramatic Art.