The President of the Government of Catalonia, Pere Aragonès i Garcia, claimed that “more rights and opportunities for the LGBTI+ community are more freedoms and progress for all”. He made the argument during the institutional ceremony to commemorate International Pride Day for LGBTI+ Liberation, which took place in L’Espluga de Francolí.

The head of the Executive referred to the importance of “people living in Catalonia being able to live their lives in safety and freedom,” being able to live “without being labelled, without comments and without being judged for who you are,” he said.

Aragonès also warned of “the threat of a radically uninhibited right wing” and accordingly, pointed out that “conquering new rights and freedoms is not enough today – we have to preserve those we have conquered before,” and that “it is essential to continue, to persevere on the path of more rights for all and more freedoms everywhere”.

During his speech, the head of the Government also paid tribute to the work carried out by the Catalan Ministry of Equality and Feminisms, led by Minister Tània Verge. As Aragonès pointed out, this Ministry was created at the beginning of this term, as it was necessary to“understand that LGTBI+ policies should not be auxiliary policies” and it was necessary to incorporate “the feminist vision and equality in a broad-based manner in all Government policies”.

The president concluded his speech by thanking “groups and institutions defending the rights of LGBTI+ people for their commitment,” because they have always been “at the forefront of the fight for equality and freedom.”