Ricardo García, Undersecretary of Sexual Diversity in Guanajuato, acknowledged that some municipalities have encountered resistance in establishing units dedicated to addressing sexual and gender diversity, and that only slightly more than 20 cities have complied with this requirement. However, they cannot set a deadline for compliance because the law does not specify penalties.
“At this time, we have more than 20 units established, and several more are in process. However, the Undersecretary’s office has been proactively contacting different municipalities in the state to promote and generate synergy, so that we can guide them and ensure they establish these units properly,” he stated.
The state official indicated that, although the creation of these units has been a challenge, this was inevitable, since “there is little knowledge regarding sexual and gender diversity, and our LGBTI+ populations have experienced historical and structural discrimination.” He also acknowledged that in some municipalities they have encountered resistance from authorities or citizens.
“Yes (we have encountered resistance), I say this openly and with a conscious exercise in political diplomacy. I don’t want to name any specific municipalities, but yes, of course, resistance has existed since the very moment we acknowledged that discrimination against people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities persists. But it is also true that a smaller percentage of those who haven’t established these units don’t necessarily do so because of discrimination, but rather due to a lack of awareness,” he said.
However, he pointed out that there is no way to exert pressure or set a deadline for the creation of 100% of the support units, because the law does not establish a framework of sanctions.
Ricardo García emphasized that they are currently working with existing units to create process and procedure manuals, which he considers very important, even though it is not a legal requirement, nor does it establish a roadmap for the establishment of municipal agencies for sexual and gender diversity.
Representatives from sexual and gender diversity services units across the state gathered in San Miguel de Allende to participate in the Guanajuato State Meeting of Sexual Activism and Dissidence.
The meeting began with a presentation by Ricardo García, Undersecretary of Sexual Diversity for the state, regarding the historical struggle that led to the creation of the Guanajuato State Law on Sexual Diversity.
“I believe the outcome is wonderful, starting with the fact that we see people gathered here from different municipalities… I am here to offer my support because my position of service, the Undersecretary’s office, and the municipal units owe their existence to social activism. Therefore, our work today is to ensure that, in all areas of public life in the state, we have dignified access to what should always have been respected as our right,” stated the Undersecretary, who attended as a guest.
With the participation of representatives from the units of San Miguel de Allende, Comonfort, Guanajuato capital, León and Irapuato, in addition to the groups Red Guanajuato, Mar de Fueguitos, Guarida Conspiraciones and Colectivo Orgullo SMA, working groups were held in order to determine the requests to be made to the different government agencies.
Source: periodicocorreo
