The Town Hall of Agüimes inaugurates two exhibitions that trace the struggle for equality: 'Geography of LGTBIQ+ Resistances' and '20 Years of Equal Marriage'.
The Town Hall of Agüimes has opened to the public two exhibitions that commemorate the trajectory of the LGTBIQ+ community and its advances in rights. The exhibitions, installed in the municipal offices on Doctor Joaquín Artiles and Barbuzano streets, will be available to the public with the aim of preserving the historical memory of the movement and highlighting the achievements made after decades of advocacy.
The exhibition '20 Years of Equal Marriage', created by the Ministry of Equality of the Government of Spain, offers a journey through the two decades since the approval of the law that allowed same-sex marriage in the country. Through informative panels, images, and documents, the exhibition reviews the milestones of LGTBIQ+ activism and underscores the importance of keeping alive the memory of those who drove these changes.
On the other hand, 'Geography of LGTBIQ+ Resistances', supported by the Government of the Canary Islands, focuses on the archipelago. The exhibition recovers testimonies and stories from people who suffered repression and discrimination for decades, bringing visibility to a part of the recent history of the Canary Islands that, according to the organisers, remains little known, especially among younger generations.
The inauguration of the exhibitions was attended by the mayor of Agüimes, Óscar Hernández; the General Director of Social Services and Immigration of the Government of the Canary Islands, Elisabeth Santana; the Councillor for Equality and Social Services of the Town Hall of Agüimes, Eva López; the General Director of Diversity of the Government of the Canary Islands, Celso David Mendoza Negrín; and the president of the LGTBI group Marikas Rurales, Daniel Alemán. They all agreed in stating that current rights and freedoms are the result of a long process of struggle and social commitment.
The exhibitions invite the public to reflect on the path taken, recognise the legacy of those who led these struggles, and keep historical memory alive as a tool to continue advancing towards a more inclusive, diverse, and equal society. In Agüimes, these exhibitions represent an opportunity for residents to closely learn about the evolution of the LGTBIQ+ movement both nationally and in the Canary Islands.
The '20 Years of Equal Marriage' exhibition includes data on social and legal evolution since 2005, when Spain became one of the first countries in the world to legalise equal marriage. Key moments such as the first weddings, social reactions, and the impact on subsequent legislation are highlighted. On the other hand, 'Geography of LGTBIQ+ Resistances' provides a more local perspective, with stories of Canary Island activists who faced persecution during times of dictatorship and transition.
The mayor of Agüimes, Óscar Hernández, highlighted during the inauguration the relevance of these initiatives to promote respect and diversity in the municipality. Meanwhile, the Councillor for Equality, Eva López, emphasised that the exhibitions are a tribute to those who fought for the rights of the community and a call not to take for granted the achievements made.
The exhibitions are open to the public during municipal office hours and are expected to be visitable over the coming weeks. The Town Hall encourages educational centres and associations to organise guided visits to delve deeper into the content of the exhibitions.
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