Mar 26 - GGR Calls Upon Mayor to Adopt New Attitude Toward LGB Community
In a hard-hitting but polite Open Letter, Chairman of Equality Rights Group, Felix Alvarez, has called for the post-holder of Mayor of Gibraltar and his or her Office to adopt ‘a new and better attitude towards the LGB community.’
Within the letter Mr. Alvarez recalls the current Mayor, Tony Lima’s, work in honouring ‘diverse sectors and individuals in the community of Gibraltar’, and welcomes his celebration of diversity in distinct areas of our society. He goes on to point out that throughout the past 13 years, and the tenure of a total of 7 Mayors in that period, ‘we have seen no manifestation or sign of similar respect, acknowledgment or inclusion from either yourself presently or from your worthy predecessors in the past’ towards the gay and lesbian community.
Mr Alvarez highlights that the Group has been prudent in not raising this issue for almost 13 years, but adds that ‘judging from the response, it would appear that, at times, caution is a fool’s game. The continuing lack of respect and offense that such a protracted period of studied silence reflects towards this part of a diverse community – a diversity you have otherwise amply celebrated and acknowledged – can only be received as silent but official insult.’
Referring to the LGB community, he adds that ‘today, therefore, we write to you to express polite but strong indignation in defence of their dignity.’
Noting that Mr. Lima accepted Honorary Membership of other worthy organisations, Alvarez offers to extend Honorary Membership of Equality Rights Group to him as well as noting that, in the year when acknowledging legislation will be introduced by Parliament, ‘I can think of no more suitable gesture on your part as Mayor than to officially attend this year’s International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) on 17thMay’, reminding Mr Lima that an act of public acknowledgment was already undertaken by the Governor last year on the date of the first marking of the event in Gibraltar. ‘It would be good to see a Gibraltar dignitary match this same gesture towards his own countrymen and women, their friends and families, too. And we hereby extend an invitation to you to attend on 17th May.
The group’s Chairman ends the letter by promising ‘no pomp, circumstance, or lavish dinners. Just the extension, on a significant day, of a public hand to ordinary people who have never had that hand extended to them.
