Arcópoli warns that its Observatory against LGTBIphobia is "in danger of disappearing" due to lack of subsidies
El Madrid Observatory against LGTBIphobia Founded by Arcópoli, which recorded 209 incidents of homophobia in 2023, faces “a critical situation" after removing the Region of Madrid the LGTBIQ+ grants, which is why they have launched a microdonation campaign.
In a context of “alarming increase” of hate crimes, and despite obtaining “the best technical score in its history", he Observatory has received “the lower allocation of funds due to the transfer of specific grants for individuals LGTBIQ + to the general call for personal income tax (0,7%)" by decision of the regional government.
Founded on 2016, the Observatory documents the physical and verbal attacks on the group LGTBIQ + in the region and offers legal advice and support to victims both to formalize the complaint before the National Police (only 2 out of 10 cases are reported) as well as in the holding of trials.
The annual report is in danger
"We had been financed for years in the line LGTBIQ + of the Community of Madrid with specific subsidies”, which represented an annual amount of 40.000 Euros, "an insufficient amount because just one person working full time costs 30.000", explains a spokesperson for the association Arcópoli.
Now, with the way of evaluating the IRPF and the amounts that allow for distribution "They have given us 28.000 euros, leaving the Observatory at a minimum" for which they have launched a campaign of microdonations or 'crowdfunding' as the only alternative to survive this year.
In addition to providing assistance to victims of homophobic attacks, the Observatory has been presenting since 2016 a annual report which constitutes an x-ray of hate crimes in the Region of Madrid and "serves to make these incidents visible".
This periodic report on the state of the LGBTophobia in the region “Evidently it is not very popular because it highlights the attacks that continue to occur and directly contradicts the political discourse of the Community that denies that there are LGTBphobia in the region".
FOR Arcópoli, "The decision to transfer subsidies to 0,7% has been a serious mistake”. Despite impact reports that alerted to the problem, “We have been forced to compete in a general call where the specific needs of the projects LGTBIQ + are not adequately valued. This compromises the continuity of essential services for the group,” the organization states.
The project Observatory, "Being so specific, it is not funded by any other public administration. No other line of subsidies provides for care for victims of hate crimes.", according to an Arcópoli spokesperson.
Microdonation campaign
After recalling that the president Diaz Ayuso already suppressed last December the General Subdirectorate of LGTBI Equality "without explaining the reasons", Arcópoli regrets that the Community "delegates to social entities responsibilities that it should assume directly".
The organisation is calling for a reversal of this situation through a crowdfunding campaign to try to fill the funding gap and ensure that the Observatory can continue its work.
“We cannot allow initiatives like this to disappear due to political decisions that ignore their social impact. We need everyone's support to protect the rights and safety of the community. LGTBIQ +,” they conclude from Arcópoli.
The bell 'Help us save the Madrid Observatory against LGBTIphobia' is accessible here
