- Bilbao Bizkaia HARRO denounces the graffiti that appeared on its displays and expresses its frustration with the intolerance of those who attack the Pride of Bilbao-Bizkaia.
- We denounce the intolerance of those who claim to defend diversity but intimidate those who do not follow their guidelines.
- We demand an immediate end to these types of actions, since far from helping LGBTI people, they only demonstrate intolerance.
- We ask LGBTI associations not to be complicit in this attack and to express their rejection without reservation.
- We demand a firm condemnation from all political parties .
Bilbao Bizkaia HARRO denounces the graffiti that appeared last night on the advertising display for Bilbao-Bizkaia Pride. “Once again, we feel compelled to denounce the intolerance of those who claim to defend diversity but intimidate those of us who don’t follow their directives,” stated Aratz Castro, coordinator of Bilbao Bizkaia HARRO.
Bilbao Bizkaia HARRO reaffirms its absolute rejection and weariness of these repeated behaviors, reminiscent of bygone eras, whose sole purpose is to intimidate. We deeply regret that there are still those who fail to understand that diversity is diverse, even though this statement seems obvious… For some people, it clearly isn’t.
“Year after year we have to put up with those who want to appropriate the representation of a very diverse group,” Castro denounces. For this reason, Bilbao Bizkaia HARRO affirms that they will continue to champion firm activism, focused on raising awareness and fostering transformation through culture, music, art, and political and social forums. Last year’s edition drew 50,000 participants, demonstrating the strong popular support for this cultural, festive, and activist event.
In this regard, we urge LGBTI organizations not to be complicit in this attack and to express their unequivocal condemnation. We want to make it clear that Bilbao Bizkaia HARRO will focus all its efforts on combating LGBTI-phobia and hate crimes: we will not dedicate our work, time, and resources to dividing the community.
The organization also urges political parties to speak out against these types of attacks and condemn them. “Silence implies consent in the face of aggression,” the organization states.
“They won’t silence us. Because we work for human rights, for freedoms, and because we refuse to let anyone, absolutely anyone, put us in the closet. We will continue fighting. We will continue dancing. No matter what anyone says.”
