Barcelona’s LGBT centre is vandalised one week after opening
Residents of Barcelona have shown their support for the queer community after the city’s LGBT+ centre was vandalised just over one week after opening.
The Centre LGBTI Barcelona opened in Calle Borrell, Barcelona, on January 19, with Eugeni Rodríguez, president of LGBT+ rights group Observatori Contra l’Homofòbia, describing it as a “historic day” for Barcelona’s LGBT+ community.
However, it was reported on Sunday (January 27) that the centre had been vandalised earlier that morning.
Barcelona’s LGBT+ centre is graffitied with “f*ck LGBT” and fascist symbols
Observatori Contra l’Homofòbia condemned the attack on Twitter.
“This morning we found painted #LGTBIfòbiques and broken glass in center #BarcelonaLGTBI,” it posted on January 27.
“We condemn the attack and we make it very clear that we will continue working and defending the space and our rights and freedoms.”
“Today this city has sent a clear and blunt message: hate is not welcome. There will be no impunity.”
—Ada Colau Ballano, mayor of Barcelona
The organisation said the centre was graffitied with phrases such as “f**k LGBT” and fascist symbols.
On Monday night, hundreds LGBT+ campaigners and allies gathered in front of the centre in solidarity with the city’s queer community.
La ciutat de Barcelona s’ha manifestat: #prouodi #proufeixisme #proulgtbifobia pic.twitter.com/Pwnndhl0y5
— ObservatoriHomofòbia (@OCL_H) January 28, 2019
Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau Ballano, who is openly bisexual, went to the rally and gave a speech to show her support for the local LGBT+ community.
Barcelona residents show support for LGBT+ community
“It is a cowardly attack of a minority, it is an attack on the rights of all and all, to those who defend this Barcelona as free [and] diverse,” she wrote on Facebook on Monday (January 28)
“Today this city has sent a clear and blunt message: hate is not welcome. There will be no impunity.”
Barcelona’s LGBT centre was vandalised on January 27. (OCL_H/Twitter)
Rodríguez also spoke at the protest and thanked Barcelona residents for turning up.
He said the show of support was a “total and absolute rejection they have shown against fascism, discrimination and the LGBT- phobia.”
He added: “Citizens have given a very clear message: we will continue here.”
