The Formentera Office of Equality and LGTBI Affairs is pleased to present the programme of events commemorating International Day of Trans* Depathologisation, 21 October. "We’ve organised various activities, including theatre and documentaries, but also debates and talks", said Councillor Vanessa Parellada, adding that the programming was geared especially toward young people "so we can work on depathologising gender identities from the grassroots".

First on the bill is the stage production "Entremeses Travestis, un show con un poco de todo", a combination of shows-within-a-show for all audiences: a touch of folklore, a dollop of activism, a sprinkling of lipsyncing and a dash of voguing... all mixed with a healthy serving of art to guarantee a fun night for all. The show starts at 8.30pm Saturday 16 October at the Sala de Cultura (Cinema). Tickets can be purchased from tomorrow Friday 8 October at entradesformentera.cat or, if space remains, half an hour before the show at the box office.

On the day of the celebration, Thursday 21 October, islanders can catch Manolita, la Chen de Arcos, a documentary that chronicles the life of Manolita, who in the Spain of the mid-nineteen eighties became the first transsexual mother to adopt a child. The film follows Manolita as she recalls the process and her experiences as a transgressive woman at a time when Spain lagged behind in the field, in terms both social and legal. After the documentary, there will be a talk afterwards with Valeria Vegas, director of the documentary, on the importance of LGTB public figures in Spain. The show starts Thursday 21 October at the Sala de Cultura (Cinema).

Finally, at 6.30pm on Wednesday 27 October the Casal de Joves will be the scene of a workshop, "trans* and non-binary concepts". Presented by Chryssalis, an association of families of trans* minors, and designed especially for young people, the workshop will feature discussion and guided activities about sexual and gender diversity, the LGTBIQA+ community and the experiences of trans* and non-binary people.

7 October 2021
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Office of Equality and LGTBI Affairs has commissioned the island's first strategy "to elucidate the realities facing the local LGTBIQA+ community and develop initiatives that promote equality and non-discrimination for its members", explained President Alejandra Ferrer.

In big picture terms, Councillor Vanessa Parellada said the plan was about "taking the temperature of the LGTBI community on the island and propose public policies and measures to mainstream sexual and gender diversity and thus collaborate in promoting equality and non-discrimination".

Two consultants have been tapped to help prepare the plan: one is from Interferències, an association which specialises in gender and LGTBI policies and feminist research from an intersectional perspective; and the other, also a specialist in gender, from Filosa, which works to educate and train assorted local stakeholders. Technical directors of offices of municipal government will coordinate efforts and facilitate local contacts. Researcher and feminist social worker Alba Pons Rabasa, who holds a Ph.D. in social anthropology, will be at the helm of the initiative.

Preparing the plan

An initial scheduling and planning meeting was held 13 September. Otherwise, the first associated action will take place at the Casal de Joves from 6.00pm on 18 October. That gathering will see formation of the steering committee to assist in drafting.

Work on the plan will bring together various actors, including government agencies, associations and islanders at large. From these key areas, efforts will focus on determining what conditions are necessary to ensure real and effective equality in the exercise of LGTBI people's rights, the goal being to prevent, correct and eliminate discrimination in the public and private spheres over which the Consell de Formentera and other local authorities have jurisdiction.

Parties interested in helping prepare the plan, whether members of the LGTBI community or not, can send an email to igualtat@conselldeformentera.cat and register to join the steering committee.

6 October 2021
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

Yesterday afternoon the Formentera Office of Equality and LGTBI Affairs put together a training session on ‘Inclusive and non-sexist language’ for personnel at local media outlets and other islanders whose jobs involve communication. The workshop was given by the FOEL department liaison, Sofia Vergara Levitt.

Councillor Vanessa Parellada started by welcoming attendees of the workshop, which was included in the island’s first Equality Plan (2019-2022). Among the stated objectives are improving perceptions of women and fomenting the use of non-sexist language.

“At the government level, we want to promote actions that support a more egalitarian society”, said Parellada. “This time we’re asking for the media to get involved too so we can all do some soul-searching and see where we can make changes to speak in a way that’s more inclusive”, she continued.

The talk included a colloquium and ideas exchange and gave participants the chance to capacity build and discuss among participants, whom Parellada thanked for their attendance.

28 September 2021
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

Consell de Formentera president Alejandra Ferrer and head of Espai Dones Maria Dolores Fernández Tamargo signed a deal today that will unlock a €3,500 subsidy to promote equality and prevent gender violence in 2021. Equality chief Vanessa Parellada was also on hand at the signing.

Under the arrangement, Espai Dones pledges to carry out activities to promote and energise women’s equality and prevent gender violence. In particular, they will educate around equality and social awareness of women’s rights. In 2021 the subsidy increased €500 from €3,000 the previous year.

1 July 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera