June 28 is LGTBI+ Liberation Day or also called LGTBI+ Pride Day which commemorates the riots that happened in Stonewall, New York (USA), in 1969, in which people who are part of the group took to the streets peacefully to achieve their visibility and full legal and social equality, as well as fight against the discrimination and abuse they suffered.
Recently, several regulations have been approved to prevent any kind of discrimination, aggression or harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity. One of these regulations is Law 4/2023 of February 28 on the Reality of Effective Equality for Trans and LGTBI+ people, popularly known as the Trans Law. This rule foresees the adoption of a protocol, as well as training, in order to sensitize working people, make the LGTBI+ collective visible and condemn any action or conduct that may violate their rights.
With this, we want to end, for example, the difficulties and discrimination that people from the LGTBIQ+ group encounter in the workplace. According to a 2020 UGT report, 42% of LGBTIQ+ people have suffered verbal aggression at work; 86% consider it necessary to hide their sexual orientation in job interviews; at the same time they find it more difficult to find work than heterosexual people. So, according to this report, at that time the employed heterosexuals were 85.36%; lesbians, gays or bisexuals, 80.08%; and trans, 67.27%.
From what we have just explained, Suara Cooperativa has approved this year 2024 a protocol that protects people from the LGTBI+ group against possible discrimination, aggression or harassment due to sexual orientation and gender identity while ensuring that their rights are guaranteed. With the approval of the protocol, the Harassment Attention Commission: sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression is also created, made up of four people, which is in charge of determining how to act in the if there is a complaint of aggression, harassment or discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
At Suara, more than 5,000 people with diverse genders and sexual orientations work (are working). With the desire for each and every person to feel in a safe space, the Cooperative has a clear position of zero tolerance for any action that may discriminate, harass or harm the people who are part of the organization.
Together, we have managed to make Suara a safe space where everyone can express and live their sexuality freely. Despite this, the Cooperative continues to work and ensure the rights of people who are part of the LGTBI+ group and avoid any possible discrimination, aggression or harassment due to sexual orientation and gender identity. Everyone has the right to be, feel and love as they want.
However, the work does not end there and there is still a long way to go. For this reason, remember that if you have any suggestions or want to share a situation you have experienced, or of which you are aware, you can contact the following email: comissioigualatt@suara.coop.
Maria Perera
Technician in the People area and member of the Harassment Attention Commission.
