Manresa City Council in central Catalonia has organised a series of events between 8 and 22 May to commemorate the International Day Against LGTBI-phobia. The programme combines institutional actions, cultural events, and training sessions, aiming to defend equality, raise the profile of the LGTBI+ community, and promote sexual and gender diversity in the city.
The central event will take place on Saturday, 16 May, in the cloister of the Baroque Museum of Catalonia. The gathering will start at 7:30pm and will be presided over by Manresa's mayor, Marc Aloy, and the Councillor for Feminisms and LGTBI, Isabel Sánchez.
Mayor Aloy will deliver an institutional address for the International Day Against LGTBI-phobia. Following this, singer-songwriter Júlia Cruz will perform, accompanied by guitarist Irene Garcés. The concert will feature original songs and covers that explore different orientations of desire and personal experiences from a transfeminist perspective, presented in an intimate format.
Council's Commitment to Equality
This event fulfils a municipal plenary agreement from 20 April 2017, which mandates an annual institutional day to highlight equality and LGTBI+ policies, according to the city council. As a symbolic gesture of institutional commitment, the rainbow flag will be hoisted on the City Council balcony on Friday, 15 May, at 9am.
Cultural and Educational Activities
The programme starts on 8 May with an event for children. The Casino Library will host a storytelling session, 'The Nameless Knight and Other Stories', led by Sara Genovart Jané, for children aged 3 and above.
A significant event is the 'Nit de Festa' (Party Night), scheduled for Saturday, 9 May, in the Casino garden. This free event will run from 10pm until 1:30am, featuring performances by the group Fades and DJ sets from PD Km1flats, PD Pepo, and PD Stalper. It is described as a festive proposal open to all citizens.
Training and Awareness Sessions
The programme also includes training and awareness activities. On the morning of Friday, 22 May, the Espai de la Plana de l'Om will host a conference on 'Sexual and Gender Diversity, Asylum and Refuge: Current Context and Specific Services'. This session will include professionals and specialised organisations.
Later that afternoon, the Bages Youth Office will hold an Espai Iris workshop. This workshop focuses on diversity and inclusion from an educational and community perspective, aiming to further integrate these concepts into local initiatives.
