King and Queen hold 'historic' audience for LGB societies, disabled foundations and charities
Wednesday, June 25, 2014 @ 3:10 PM
FOR the first time in history, gay and lesbian associations have been invited to an 'audience with' by the reigning Monarchs at one of their palaces.
José María Núñez Blanco of the Triangle Foundation, and Boti García of the FELGTB State Federation were surprised and thrilled to be invited to meet King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia at the El Pardo Palace in Madrid, and said this was a clear sign that the former 'meant what he said' in his coronation speech when he declared that 'there is room for all of us in Spain'.
Just a few years ago, in her biography penned by controversial author Pilar Urbano, Queen Sofía stated that she was against unions between same-sex partners being considered 'marriage', which led to both the FELGTB and Triangle Foundation sending a formal letter of complaint to the Royal household.
But yesterday (Tuesday), the new King 'listened to them attentively' and told the society representatives that it was his responsibility to 'fly the flag for the protection of human rights' for lesbian, gay and bisexual residents in Spain – as well as transsexuals, who are also represented by the group even though theirs is an entirely different situation – plus those in other countries.
Boti García recalled that in many countries – in fact, 77 nations worldwide – merely being gay or lesbian is against the law and punishable by prison and, in some places, by the death penalty and by torture.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com