The entities refuse to participate in the so-called “diversity gala”
The main entities of the LGTBIQ+ movement in the Valencian Community have published a joint statement in which they announce that they will not attend the so-called “diversity gala” promoted by the Valencian Government. The text, signed by numerous historical associations in the territory, denounces what they consider a political instrumentalization of diversity.
The statement, dated in Valencia on February 23, 2026, maintains that LGTBIQ+ rights do not belong to any party or government and warns that institutions must guarantee them, not use them as an image tool.
The decision represents a clear political gesture: not legitimizing with its presence an institutional act that, according to the entities, contradicts the policies that the autonomous Executive itself is promoting.
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They denounce cuts and closure of services
The signatory organizations argue that a symbolic gala cannot be held while, in parallel, measures that they consider regressive for the group are promoted.
Among the points highlighted are:
- The appeal before the Constitutional Court against LGTBIQ+ protection regulations
- The closure of the Orienta service in Alicante, a public resource for comprehensive care
- The reduction of effective guarantees of equality and non-discrimination
According to the statement, these decisions especially affect trans people and leave part of the group without legal, psychological and social support.
The entities maintain that it is not coherent to “redetail rights for one band and try to rent the institutional image for another”.
Pinkwashing: when diversity becomes marketing
One of the central concepts of the text is pinkwashing. Organizations use this term to describe what they consider an institutional reputation strategy based on the symbolic use of the LGTBIQ+ agenda while making decisions that harm the group.
The statement also mentions the leak of an internal document in which, allegedly, there was talk of “disappropriating the symbolic monopoly of diversitat” as a political motivation for the act.
For the entities, this approach would confirm that diversity is being used as a tool of partisan confrontation and not as a real commitment to human rights.
Where does institutional visibility end and where does instrumentalization begin? Can a gala compensate for the setback in public policies?
Defense of the autonomy of the social movement
Beyond the specific criticism, the statement vindicates the independence of the LGTBIQ+ movement from any government. The entities emphasize that activism has been the true driving force behind advances in rights and that its role is not decorative.
They also question that an act presented in recognition of the social movement includes awards to private companies, interpreting this gesture as a shift in the prominence of the associative fabric towards a corporate model of diversity.
“Diversitat is not useful. Diversity is respect and defense”, concludes the text.
A political battle with consequences
The decision not to attend the gala opens a new episode in the relationship between the Valencian LGTBIQ+ movement and the current Consell. The clash is not only symbolic: it affects the model of public policies on equality.
The underlying debate is profound.
Is institutional visibility sufficient if it is not accompanied by legal guarantees? Can activism maintain its autonomy without becoming trapped in political polarization?
What seems clear is that the organized movement wants to set limits. And remind any government—whatever its color—that rights are not negotiated or used as scenery.
