Mayor Renán Barrera Concha presided over the installation of the Municipal Council Against the Discrimination of Sexual Diversity for the period 2018-2021, which reaffirms the commitment of the current administration to boost public policies that promote a fair, equitable and inclusive society in every sense.
The installation of this council, which was approved during the Cabildo session on January 15, is based on axis 3 “Merida with Inclusive Future” of the Municipal Plan of Development, in which respect for the rights of the people of this municipality is guaranteed, in order to eradicate any type of discrimination.
In his message, Mayor Renán Barrera noted that the formation of this council reaffirms the commitment of the City of Mérida to continue working in coordination with citizens to build a more tolerant and respectful society that privileges social welfare.
– Clear participation mechanisms are required to achieve progress in public policy issues and in programs to eradicate or promote behaviors in favor of an integral development of our society – he said.
The Municipal President also said that the main conviction in the City of Mérida is to work with the doors open and with an inclusive vision based on tolerance, respect for human rights and non-discrimination.
In his speech, José Luis Martínez Semerena, Director of Social Development and Executive Secretary of the Municipal Council, pointed out that this council will serve as an organ of dialogue to elaborate and procure public policies that privilege respect for human rights and implement a culture of equality.
-This could not be achieved if we do not provide the conditions to eradicate practices of exclusion and discrimination such as racism, sexism, homophobia, misogyny and other types of intolerance.
He affirmed that the administration headed by Mayor Renán Barrera continues to set a precedent by giving continuity to one of the advisory councils that complied for the first time during his previous government.
It should be noted that among the faculties that this council will have are to plan, design, organize, support and evaluate the programs and activities implemented in order to fight discrimination.
“These activities will be in favor of tolerance and respect for human rights. An annual work plan will be designed to promote equitable and fair treatment to people of sexual diversity in municipal public services; organize and open opinion forums, courses, workshops and seminars to promote respect, inclusion and tolerance, mainly towards sexual diversity, including special medical and psychological care programs among others.
The Municipal Council against the Discrimination of Sexual Diversity is made up of councilors, municipal officials, representatives of civil society organizations and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transvestite, transgender and intersexual community.
The event was attended by Julio Sauma Castillo, Secretary of Citizen Participation; María Luisa Pardo Cue, representative of the BAI foundation, A.C (Brazos Abiertos Foundation); and Ligia Vera Gamboa, representative of the Hideyo Noguchi Research Center of the Autonomous University of Yucatan.
TYT Newsroom with information from grilloporteno.com